Natural Science Courses

NGSS Updates: Please note due to NGSS changes to course numbering in March 2022, this page has been updated to include 3-digit and 4-digit course numbers. Thank you for your patience as this and other pages transition. 

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, 92 and any course numbered above 100 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 101)
  • Computer and Information Science: CIS 3980 (Only CIS Majors may count this as a Natural Science or Engineering elective).
  • 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, 130 and any course above 200
  • Materials Science Engineering: MSE 2210 (Note: MSE 215, 221, 260, 330, 430 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: Red, bolded courses are not currently active. 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).