Natural Science Courses

NGSS Updates: Due to NGSS changes to course numbering in March 2022, this page has been updated to include 3-digit and 4-digit course numbers. 

The following courses can be used to fulfill the science requirement:

  • Astronomy and Astrophysics: 111, 1211, 1212, 1250, 3392, 410, 411, 412 (Note: Astronomy 0001 may not be taken by Penn Engineering students. Other courses numbered below Astronomy 0011 can be taken as free electives only.)
  • Biochemistry: Any course
  • Bioengineering: 3050, 505, 513
  • Biological Basis of Behavior: Any course except 010, 050, 060, 160, and 227
  • Biology: 91, 0992 and any course numbered above 1000 except 130, 2510, and 544
  • Biophysics: Any course
  • Cellular and Molecular Biology: Any course
  • Chemistry: Any course except CHEM 1000, 011, 1200, 0250, 023, 1011;(Note that AP credit for CHEM 091 and EAS 0091 is accepted in lieu of CHEM 1012)
  • Computer and Information Science: CIS 3980 (Only CIS Majors may count this as a Natural Science or Engineering elective).
  • Earth and Environmental Science: EESC 1030.  Any course above 2000 pending approval by faculty committee (Currently approved: EESC 2500). EESC 3003 does not count as a Natural Science
  • Electrical and Systems Engineering: ESE 1120* (Note: If ESE is taken, PHYS 0151 is not allowed since these are equivalent.)
  • Engineering and Applied Science: 210
  • Genomics and Computational Biology: Any course
  • Geology: 109
  • Materials Science Engineering: MSE 2210 (Note: MSE 2150, 2210, 2600, 3300, 4300 may be counted as Natural Science or Engineering if taken prior to Spring 2015.)
  • Mechanical Engineering and Applied Mechanics: 1100*, 1470*
  • Physics: 0050, 0051, 093, 094, 0140, 0141, and courses numbered 0150 and above**, except 3314, 360 and 5500

*Please note: Bolded courses may not be active in the new system. Check with the primary department to confirm course status.

Freshman Seminar courses can not be used to fulfill the natural science requirement.

* If MEAM 1100 and MEAM 1470 is taken, PHYS 0150 is not allowed since these are equivalent.

** If you take the honor’s equivalent of a required Physics course, there is no need to petition for it (e.g. you can take PHYS 0170 in place of PHYS 0150; or PHYS 0171 instead of PHYS 0151 without having to petition).