Natural Science Courses

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

  • Astronomy and Astrophysics: 111, 1211, 1212, 1250, 3392, 410, 411, 412
    • Note: Astronomy 0001 may not be taken by Penn Engineering students.
    • Note: 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, 1011, 011, 1200, 0250, 023,
    • Note: AP credit for Chemistry (CHEM 091 or EAS 0091) is equivalent to CHEM 1012. Some departments may not accept AP credit for Chemistry – see individual curricula.
    • Note: Students are permitted to take CHEM 1012 or CHEM 1151, but not both.
  • Computer and Information Science: CIS 3980 (Only CIS Majors may count this as a Natural Science or Engineering elective).
  • Earth and Environmental Science: EESC 1000, 1030.  Any course above 2000 pending approval by faculty committee (Currently approved: EESC 2120, 2500, 3300, 3600, 4200, 4320, 4360, 4440, 4630). EESC 3003 does not count as a Natural Science
  • Electrical and Systems Engineering: ESE 1120
    • Note: If ESE 1120 is taken, PHYS 0151 is not allowed.
  • Engineering and Applied Science: 210
  • Genomics and Computational Biology: Any course
  • Geology: 109
  • Materials Science Engineering: MSE 2210
    • Note: MSE 2150, 2210, 2600, 3300, and 4300 may be counted as Natural Science or Engineering if taken prior to Spring 2015.
  • Mechanical Engineering and Applied Mechanics: 1100, 1470
    • Note: If MEAM 1100 and MEAM 1470 are taken, PHYS 0150 is not allowed since these are equivalent.
  • Neuroscience: Any NRSC course- except NRSC 0050, 0060, 1159, 1160, 2217, 2227, 2249, and 4417
  • Physics: 0050, 0051, 093, 094, 0140, 0141, and courses numbered 0150 and above.
    • Note: PHYS 1100, 3314, 360, and 5500 are not allowed.
    • Note: 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).
  • Psychology: 1210

*Please note: Bolded 3-digit 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.