BAS Programs

This document summarizes the BAS requirements for students matriculating at Penn after April, 2004. There are different requirements in place for students matriculating at Penn prior to April, 2004.

As an alternative to the professional engineering programs, the Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science offer a program leading to the degree of Bachelor of Applied Science (BAS). The BAS program is designed for the student who does not plan to work as a professional engineer, but rather wants a customized education which combines other interests and technology in a manner unique to his/her career goals. The BAS degree requires a minimum of 40 course units. Students taking this program are planning careers in such diverse areas as business, medicine, law, health care, government service, etc.

Career goal statement

Every student in a BAS degree program must write a one-page narrative that describes his or her career goals and the role that the engineering component of the plan will play in preparation for that career. This narrative must be submitted to their undergraduate chair no later than the end of their sophomore year. (If the student's career goals are still tentative at that time, a tentative narrative should still be submitted. The narrative should be updated when the goals of the student become clear). The career goal statement should be accompanied by a BAS CPG which has been approved and signed by the academic advisior. The course plan may be amended at any time by submitting a revised CPG.

Concentration

Four of the course units in the concentration (C) category should be chosen to provide depth in areas appropriate to the career goals of the student. In the absence of a compelling argument based on the stated career goals, the remaining four course units should be SSH courses selected from the departments listed under the SSH Depth Requirement.

Applied Project (EAS 499)

A student initiates an Applied Project by submitting a proposal, signed by an appropriate Project Supervisor (the university faculty member who will assign the grade), to the Undergraduate Chair by the end of the semester previous to the start of the project. The proposal must include the signature of the Academic Advisor. The Dean's Office will register the project (EAS 499) upon approval of the Associate Dean.

The student must submit the following to both the Project Supervisor and the Undergraduate Chair:

  1. a written interim report on the work associated with the project, due by the end of the seventh week of the semester, and
  2. a final report upon completion of the project.

The student must also present the work of the project orally in the presence of the Project Supervisor and at least one other faculty member. The Project Supervisor submits a grade for the project to the Undergraduate Dean for Engineering via a formal letter or change of grade form.

Named BAS Programs

The named BAS options are: Biomedical Science; Computer Science, Computer and Cognitive Science; and, Computational Biology.

Individualized Major

An additional option is the BAS "Individualized" major which is declared with an approved individualized title. The title may not contain the word "engineering" and should avoid any possible confusion with a named BSE program name. Students must apply for the "Individualized" major, in accordance with the following parameters:

  1. Must possess a minimum of 3.3 cum GPA to apply;
  2. Must complete requirements of the first two years of a BSE or named BAS program curriculum, specifically, the first two years of the Math, Science, and Engineering requirements.
  3. Must have a Faculty Mentor (Advisor) in SEAS as sponsor of application, indicating his/her willingness to serve as Advisor for the student's work in an Individualized major;
  4. Must complete an "Application for the Individualized Major" which will be reviewed by the Petition for Action Committee. The Petition must be signed by the sponsoring Faculty Advisor as well as that faculty member's Undergraduate Chair.

The earliest time to apply is spring of sophomore year, for junior year entry.

Linking Courses:

Dual degree BAS students may count up to two linking courses in the "E" category. Linking courses are non-engineering courses which link the two degrees. Typical examples are MGMT 235, 237 for students who are dual degree with Wharton.