School of Engineering and Applied Science - University of Pennsylvania - Overview
Ivy League Innovation at Penn Engineering
The School of Engineering and Applied Science at the University of Pennsylvania (Penn Engineering) has a distinguished reputation for the quality of its programs. For more than 100 years, Penn Engineering has been at the forefront of innovation -- a standard set by the University's founder, America's famous scientist and engineer, Benjamin Franklin.
Established in 1740, the University of Pennsylvania is a member of the Ivy League and one of the world's leading universities, renowned for its graduate schools, faculty, research centers, and institutes.
Graduates of Penn Engineering have earned international distinction in research, higher education, management, entrepreneurship and industrial development, and government service. Among them are inventor Nathaniel C. Wyeth, known for creating a recyclable beverage container that could withstand the pressure of carbonated liquids; and Bernard S. Baker, researcher and developer of electrochemical power generation devices, including direct fuel cells that can process natural gas without an external reformer.
The faculty leads a research program that is at the forefront of modern technology, making major contributions to a variety of fields.
Program Overview
The excitement and discovery of research is open to all students and is the keystone of the university's world-renowned Ph.D. programs. These programs are augmented by a diverse array of master's degree offerings.
Penn Engineering's collaborative research and learning environment distinguishes the school from its peers. Students work with and learn from faculty mentors within the core disciplinary programs and through scholarly interactions involving the School of Medicine, the School of Arts and Sciences, and The Wharton School.
Research-Focused Ph.D. Programs
The Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) programs at Penn Engineering are research-oriented degree programs for students of superior caliber who will make original contributions to theory and practice in their fields of interest.
Penn Engineering students may earn a Ph.D. in one of 6 fields of study: bioengineering, chemical and biomolecular engineering, computer and information science, electrical and systems engineering, materials science and engineering, and mechanical engineering.
The programs prepare students for a research career in academe, government, or industry. The curriculum develops the intellectual skills essential for the rapidly changing character of research.
Responsive and Evolving Master's Programs
Penn Engineering's 15 master's programs serve a wide range of highly qualified students, including working professionals seeking greater expertise to advance their careers and students expanding on their undergraduate training for professional engineering practice, preparing for doctoral studies, or pursuing an entirely new field of interest.
Students may earn a master's degree in one of the following areas: bioengineering, biotechnology, chemical and biomolecular engineering, computer graphics and game technology, computer and information science, computer and information technology (MCIT), and electrical engineering.
Master's degrees are also available in embedded systems, integrated product design, materials science and engineering, mechanical engineering and applied mechanics, nanotechnology, robotics, systems engineering, and telecommunications and networking.
Engineering master's programs are constantly evolving. They are grounded in up-to-the-minute research findings and industrial priorities, and focused on practical applications of knowledge. The programs are responsive to career and professional interests and the needs of today's high-tech society and economy.
Dual Degree Master's with Wharton School
Penn Engineering offers 2-year dual degree programs that provide master's students the opportunity for cross-disciplinary studies with integrated curricula, in collaboration with the Wharton School of Business.
The M.B.A./M.B. program allows students to earn a Wharton Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.) degree and a Master of Biotechnology (M.B.) degree.
In the M.S.E./M.B.A. program, students earn a Master of Material Sciences and Engineering degree and a Wharton Master of Business Administration degree.
Research Centers Lead Technology and Science Frontier
Penn Engineering centers and institutes are at the forefront of research on each scientific and technological frontier. Among the School's collection of labs and facilities are the Mechanical Engineering and Applied Mechanics Design and Prototyping Laboratories, SIG Center for Computer Graphics, Nano Probe Innovation Facility, Krishna P. Singh Center for Nanotechnology, Weiss Tech House, and Wolf Nanotechnology Fabrication Center.
Interdisciplinary research centers and institutes span all departments in Penn Engineering, fostering collaborations and outstanding opportunities throughout the university.
Faculty Active in Research
Penn Engineering has 105 distinguished, diverse full-time faculty members, all of whom are engaged in active research.
Faculty includes Michael Kearns, Professor of Computer Science, whose research includes topics in algorithmic game theory, social networks, computational finance, and artificial intelligence; and Vijay Kumar, UPS Foundation Chair, a leading expert in robotics and networked multi-agent systems, modeling nature and developing bio-inspired architectures and algorithms.
Tuition and Financial Aid
Annual tuition costs are the same for full-time state residents and non-state residents. A number of fellowships, assistantships, and scholarships are available on a yearly competitive basis, mainly for doctoral candidates. Provisions of these awards vary; the maximum benefits include payment of tuition and the general and technology fees, plus a stipend and health insurance.
Campus and Surroundings
On-campus housing is available for both single and married students. There are also numerous privately-owned apartments for rent in the immediate vicinity.
The University of Pennsylvania is located in West Philadelphia, just a few blocks from the heart of the city. A 21st century city with 17th century origins, Philadelphia is a patchwork of distinctive neighborhoods and home to renowned museums, concert halls, theaters, and sports arenas that provide cultural and recreational outlets for students.
Fairmount Park extends through large sections of the city, occupying both banks of the Schuylkill River. Not far away are the Jersey shore beaches to the east, Pennsylvania Dutch country to the west and the Pocono Mountains to the north.