Curriculum Deferred

Freshmen who do not initially choose a specific major when applying to Penn are designated “Curriculum Deferred (CD).” Many first year students are CD, so you shouldn’t feel as though you are the exception.

Since you are not required to declare your Engineering major until the end of your first year, you have time to learn about each department. During New Student Orientation and throughout the fall semester, the Office of Academic Programs (APO) and the academic departments organize events to give you opportunities to explore degree options.

All Curriculum Deferred students are required to take a 100 level engineering course during their freshman year in either the Fall or the Spring semester. Students who declare their major by the end of the Fall 2009 semester will not be required to take a 100 level engineering course.

 

Are you ready to Declare a Major?

Below are the basic instructions. The Form you need to use is "Request to Change/Add Curriculum". You can also pick up a hard copy of this for in 111 Towne.

Basic Instructions

1. Meet with your assigned CD Faculty Advisor.
2. Meet with the Undergraduate Curriculum Chair of the Curriculum in which you wish to declare. Through Penn In Touch complete a Worksheet in preparation for your meeting and bring it along with you to the meeting.
3. Bring this completed and signed form to the department office of your DECLARED MAJRO/CURRICULUM. Your completed Worksheet for the new Major MUST be attached. The Undergraduate Coordinator in that office will assign you a Faculty Advisor in your new Major/Curriculum.
4. Return this form and your completed Worksheet to the SEAS Academic Programs Office, 111 Towne.

You can download the form HERE!

 

Curriculum Deferred Advising

Faculty Advisors for CD Students: Jan Van der Spielgel, David Pope
Academic Programs Office, 111 Towne Building
Phone: 215-898-7246
Fax: 215-573-5577
Email: cdadvise@seas.upenn.edu

First Semester Courses for CD Students

Recommended courses for the First Semester

• Any 100 Level Engineering Course (See below for complete list of 100 Level Engineering Courses)
• MATH 104
• PHYS 150 (with lab) or PHYS 140 (no lab)
• CHEM 101 (Take only section 4 or 5 for engineering students)
• CHEM 053 Lab
• Writing Requirement course or Social Science and Humanities elective

All Curriculum Deferred students are required to take one of the 100 level engineering courses listed below. If you are leaning towards a particular major, you are recommended to take the 100 Level course of that major and follow the recommended courses for the first semester for that major. See Recommended Courses for the First Semester for All Majors for more information.

Major of Interest	Course	Course Title
Overview of Engineering	EAS 101	Introduction to Engineering (highly recommended for undecided students)
Bioengineering	BE 101	Introduction to Bioengineering
Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering	CBE 160	Introduction to Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering (spring semester only)
Computer Engineering	ESE170/171 or ESE250	Introduction to Digital Logic or Digital Audio
Computer Science	CS 110 or CS 120	Introduction to Programming or Programming Languages and Techniques I (if you have AP CIS 110 credit)
Electrical Engineering	EAS 101 or ESE170	Introduction to digital logic (ESE170)
Materials Science and Engineering	EAS 210	Introduction to Nanotechnology and Engineering (spring semester only)
Mechanical Engineering and Applied Mechanics	EAS 105 or MEAM 101	Introduction to Scientific Computing or Introduction to Mechanical Design (Students who are considering this major should also take MEAM 110/MEAM 147 instead of PHYS 150.)
Systems Engineering	EAS 101