Graduate Program > Graduate Student Handbook > Course Registration

Graduate Student Handbook: Course Registration

(a) Registration Outline

All CBE graduate students are required to register directly through the department.

In mid-November and early April of each year, all PhD students must advance register for the next semester's courses. First year students will be automatically registered for the 4 core courses that are required (ENM 510, CHE 618, CHE 621 and CHE 640) for Fall term by the Graduate Assistant (Marge) in 311A. In the spring semester two additional core courses are required (ENM 511 and CHE 641) along with two other courses that should be selected in consultation with the student's advisor. During the course of study for the Ph.D. degree at least two (2) courses should be taken from outside the department's offerings.

Masters students are required to take the same core courses and the registration process is exactly the same. The Graduate Assistant will register the student for the required courses along with the elective courses selected. Only courses numbered 500 and above will be approved.

(b) Course Selection

*Course Timetable: http://www.upenn.edu/registrar/timetable
*Course Register: http://www.upenn.edu/registrar/register
*Links to course listings are also available - schools on the Penn InTouch main menu

If the course timetable indicates that permission is required to take a course, the student must see the department offering the course to obtain the required permit. Permission must be obtained before the Graduate Assistant can register the student for such a course.

(c) Course Planning Guide (CPG)

An outline and timetable of courses and requirements is available here.

(d) Selection of Advisors and Research Topics

All new full-time graduate students are required to attend faculty research seminars which are offered in the fall. These seminars are to aid full-time and part-time students who choose to submit a thesis. The faculty conducts a series of Research Topic Seminars during each fall term, usually starting in September. All faculty members will discuss their research interests and possible thesis topics. Generally a list of literature references in connection with each topic will be provided. Each full-time thesis student must submit, by a specified time during the fall semester, a ranked list of potential advisors, and if desired, a statement of the student's interests. After due consideration, the Graduate Group Committee publishes a list of assignments.