Graduate Student Resources

Graduate Program
Graduate Student Resources

Welcome New Students!

Welcome to the graduate program in the Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering. New students can visit the program-specific links below, or explore the helpful links listed below.

Graduate Student Handbook

This handbook is for all Graduate students enrolled at the School of Engineering and Applied Science. The handbook is designed to guide students through their course of study and identify the academic requirements required to graduate. Furthermore this handbook provides information with respect to rules, regulations and requirements at Penn Engineering.

Graduate Student Handbook

Thrive at Penn (TAP)

Thrive at Penn (TAP) is an online program that assists students with their Penn experience. TAP prepares students to make healthy choices during their university experience and provides information about resources available to support student success. Topics covered include thriving at a research university; wellness and health; the risks associated with alcohol and other drugs; healthy relationships and sexual violence prevention; and resources specific to your needs during all of your years at Penn.

Penn Graduate Students: Thrive at Penn (TAP) for incoming graduate and professional students is an online program that assists students with their Penn experience. TAP provides information about resources available to support student success. Topics covered include academic integrity; wellness and health; and healthy relationships and sexual violence prevention.
Parents & Families: This TAP public site is available to Penn Parents and Families. It includes all of the information given in the TAP modules for current undergraduates: videos, resources, images of quizzes, links, and documents.
Penn Community: This TAP public site is available to all members of the Penn Community. It includes all of the information given in the TAP modules for new students: videos, resources, images of quizzes, links, and documents.

Thesis & Graduation Information

Applying for Your Degree:

Thesis + Dissertation Support:

If you need assistance or support with your thesis, you may reach out to the Grad Center at Penn which provides a number of workshops, events, and programs to help you make progress.

More information about the Grad Center’s resources is available here

Thesis Submission:

The Office of the Provost oversees the graduation process for all PhD and Research Master’s degrees at the University of Pennsylvania.

For more information, please visit the Office of the Provost’s webpage.

Doctoral Thesis Formatting:

Dissertation resources, including the doctoral dissertation manual/style guide and thesis formatting templates.
NOTE: There is an unofficial LaTex thesis format template floating around the department that probably doesn’t meet the Penn formatting requirements so be careful.
Click here for sample cover pages.
Most regular office paper is now acid-free.

Master’s Thesis Formatting:

Click here to access detailed Penn Engineering information regarding submitting and formatting the master’s thesis.
The Penn master’s thesis guide can be accessed here.

Commencement Information:

Students who graduate in August, December, and May can participate in the University and Engineering Commencement Ceremonies held once each year in May. Penn Engineering’s Research and Academic Services Office contacts students regarding participating in commencement.

Additional Links:

Logistics and Computing

PennCard

PennCard is the official identification card of the University of Pennsylvania and is required for all students; your PennCard gives you access to many University facilities and services. Spouses/domestic partners and children of current students may also be able to obtain a PennCard to access many campus services.

PennCard (Student ID)

PennKey and Password

PennKey and Password gives you access to PennNet, a Penn email account, and many other essential online services.

PennKey Setup

Penn InTouch

Penn InTouch gives you secure access to enrollment and financial information. Use your PennKey and password to log on for billing, financial aid, and student loan information, as well as online course registration, course schedules and academic records, updating selected address information and updating privacy settings.

Penn InTouch

Computing @ Penn Engineering

Computing and Educational Technology Services (CETS) assists SEAS students with account and email set up.

Pronouns in Penn Canvas

All users of Penn Canvas have the ability to indicate personal pronouns in their Canvas profiles. Pronouns in Canvas display in several locations such as Discussions, People, User Profiles, Inbox, Speedgrader, and more. For more information, see the link below.

Pronouns in Penn Canvas

Academic & Career Resources

The Weingarten Learning Resources Center

The Weingarten Center provides academic support services and programs for undergraduate, graduate, and professional students at the University of Pennsylvania through its two offices. The services and programs of both offices are free and confidential.

The Office of Learning Resources provides professional instruction in university relevant skills such as academic reading, writing, study strategies, and time management to the Penn student community.

Student Disabilities Services provides comprehensive, professional services and programs for students who self-identify with disabilities to ensure equal academic opportunities and participation in University-sponsored programs.

The Penn Tutoring Center

The Tutoring Center, as one of three offices within the Weingarten Learning Resources Center, which offers Penn students free, accessible, and convenient options to supplement their academic experience. Tutoring is available one-on-one and in groups, by appointment and walk-in.

Tutoring

Please note:

If you need a tutor, you should contact them using the email addresses they provided.
Arrangements regarding pay, meetings, etc., are made between, you, the student, and tutor.

The Marks Family Writing Center

The center provides writing support to Penn students and faculty across the disciplines. In addition to providing individual writing guidance and feedback to our students, the Marks Family Writing Center also presents writing workshops across campus, consults with faculty and assists them with designing and responding to writing assignments, and engages in community outreach.

Penn Libraries/SEAS Library Resources

SEAS has two Engineering librarians available to assist them with any homework, research, or information needs. Their contact information is below:

Doug McGee dmcgee@upenn.edu
Stephen Hall smhall@upenn.edu
General Inquiries can be made via this form: https://faq.library.upenn.edu/ask

Students and scholars can access the SEAS Engineering Library website where they can schedule consultations with the librarians, find new books, or search the catalog.

Penn Career Services

Penn Career Services was founded in 1926 and is the centralized career resource center for Penn undergraduate students, graduate and professional students in Annenberg School for Communication, Arts and Sciences, Graduate School of Education, Engineering, Nursing, Perelman School of Medicine (master’s and PhD), School of Engineering and Applied Science, Social Policy and Practice, Weitzman School of Design, and Wharton School doctoral students, post-doctoral fellows, and alumni.

Career Services for:

Student Services & Support

Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS)

Offers confidential and free professional mental health services to undergraduate, graduate, and professional students at Penn. Their goal is to assist students in their adjustment to university life and help them take full advantage of the academic and social environment at Penn. Students learn to manage personal problems, situational crises, and academic stresses, as well as develop self-awareness, personal responsibility, and skills for life-long learning.

Ph.D. Leave of Absence Policy

Division of Public Safety (DPS)

The Division of Public Safety (DPS) comprises 180 personnel, 121 of which are sworn University of Pennsylvania Police Officers. DPS is responsible for enhancing the quality of life, safety, and security of the Penn community. The Division accomplishes its mission through the delivery of comprehensive and integrated safety and security programs.

Graduate Student Center

The Penn Grad Center is a space where graduate and professional students can create and participate in a graduate community at Penn. The center provides intellectual, social, and professional development programs to bring together the wide range of graduate and professional students at Penn for cross-disciplinary, cross-cultural exchanges. The center also provides a centrally-located home that includes a lounge, computer lab, and meeting space.

Graduate Group Review Student Feedback Form

Graduate Groups are periodically reviewed by the Graduate Council of the Faculties (GCF) in order to identify strengths and weaknesses within each program, and to recommend any changes that may help to improve the Graduate Group. This feedback form is intended to solicit general information and impressions about your graduate school experiences to share with GCF.

If your Graduate Group is not being reviewed, you are also welcome to fill out this form if you would like to provide feedback on your experiences in your Graduate Group.

You are not required to provide your name or contact information. Confidentiality will be maintained for students who do provide their name. However, the feedback you provide may become part of the Graduate Council of the Faculties review report. Your demographic information is requested but will not be included in the review report.

This feedback form is intended to solicit general information and impressions about your graduate school experiences. If you have questions about the Graduate Group review process, please contact the Office of the Provost at provost-ed@upenn.edu or 215-898-7225.

Housing & Residential Services

Works closely with their partner departments to support residents in their academic endeavors, their personal growth, and day to day life on campus. More information regarding graduate housing is below.

Inclusive Best Practice

Many members of the Penn community contribute to making the University a more inclusive and welcoming university. Their efforts aid Penn in realizing its vision of inclusive excellence, foster innovation, and propel us forward. Often individuals and organizations are not recognized for helping to make Penn a place in which everyone can thrive. If you would like to nominate a person, organization, or initiative that you believe contributes to Penn’s aspirations for inclusive excellence use the form below.

Office of Diversity and Inclusion (ODI) @ SEAS

The Office of Diversity and Inclusion holds at its core the commitment to celebrating and increasing the representation of underrepresented minorities in the student body, faculty, and staff of Penn Engineering. As part of this mission, students are central to the Office of Diversity and Inclusion’s functions. A variety of programs and services are offered to assist both undergraduate and graduate students along their journey. Furthermore, they offer a space for students to serve as peer counselors, mentors, role models, and leaders in student-run organizations.

Penn Bias Incident Reporting

The University of Pennsylvania is an inclusive community in which we learn from the research, ideas, and experiences of other people on campus and around the world. We value open expression and the learning that comes from civil and rigorous debate. We also value and respect the dignity and worth of all members of our community. At times individuals or groups may believe they have experienced discrimination or bias or were negatively impacted by the actions of another member of the Penn community.

Individuals may report their concerns about having been treated in a biased or discriminatory manner by completing a Bias Incident Reporting Form.

Bias Incident Reporting Form

Penn Violence Prevention (PVP)

Engages the Penn community in the prevention of sexual violence, relationship violence, stalking, and sexual harassment on campus. They foster collaborative relationships across campus to ensure a survivor-centered, multi-faceted approach to support services and primary prevention. Through collective community action, they are committed to ending interpersonal violence by addressing gender inequity, social injustice, and oppression through outreach and education.

Reach-A-Peer Helpline

Is a peer help line established in 1996 to provide peer support, information, and referrals to any and all students of the University of Pennsylvania. The service is open to all students who wish to share a problem, are in need of information, or just want to talk to someone about anything on their mind.

Student Disabilities Services (SDS)

SDS closely with students who self-identify in order to ensure equal access to all University programs, activities and services. Students will find information about the accommodations they provide as well as procedures for requesting accommodations and services.

Any student who has a disability and wishes to self-identify with the Office of Student Disabilities Services (SDS) at the Weingarten Learning Resources Center, can complete the Self-Identification Form. Submission of this form is the first step in the Self-Identification Process. Any student who is requesting accommodations will also need to submit documentation of the disability and schedule an in person meeting as part of the collaborative process in determining eligibility for accommodations. Students that have further questions may contact SDS directly.

Self-Identification Form

Student Health Services

Provides quality health care that is accessible, affordable, culturally sensitive and student-focused. The Student Health Service supports the academic mission of the University of Pennsylvania through teaching, mentoring, research and leadership.

Immunization Compliance

Student Health Insurance

All full time, dissertation and exchange students (in classes for one term or longer) are required to have comprehensive health insurance. The Penn Student insurance Plan (PSIP) is available for students who do not have insurance, whose plans do not provide coverage in the Philadelphia area, or whose plans do not meet our criteria for alternative insurance.

Student Intervention Services (SIS)

Assists the University community in handling emergencies or critical incidents involving the welfare and safety of students.

Vice Provost for University Life (VPUL)

Penn’s Division of the Vice Provost for University Life (VPUL) is part of the Office of the Provost and includes 30 campus departments that serve students and community participants. University Life programs provide academic and career support, campus and community engagement, and much more.

Weiss Tech House

Weiss Tech House is a student-run hub of technological innovation at the University of Pennsylvania. Weiss Tech House encourages and supports students in the creation, development and commercialization of innovative technologies. Since 2003, the Weiss Tech House has supported students with a broad range of interests and skills have come here to explore, collaborate and learn as part of our community of innovators and entrepreneurs. We help students in the development and/or commercialization of innovative technologies.

Wellness at Penn

The Wellness at Penn initiative provides support, resources, and practical tools for wellness across the Penn community. It affirms wellness as a core priority and necessary driver of life on campus; and it offers a wide range of opportunities to reflect and engage on issues of wellness, stress, mental health, resilience, happiness, personal and academic goals, and the meaning of success.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Resources

The University of Pennsylvania’s special character is reflected in the diversity of the Penn community. Diversity is prized at Penn as a central component of its mission and helps create an educational and working environment that best supports the University’s commitment to excellence in teaching, research, and scholarship. Penn and CBE seek talented faculty, students and staff who will constitute a vibrant community that draws on the strength that comes with a substantive institutional commitment to diversity along dimensions of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, creed, national or ethnic origin, citizenship status, age, disability, veteran status, interests, perspectives, and socioeconomic status.

Grounded in equal opportunity, nondiscrimination, and affirmative action, Penn’s robust commitment to diversity is fundamental to the University’s mission of advancing knowledge, educating leaders for all sectors of society, and public service. The University of Pennsylvania prohibits unlawful discrimination based on race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, creed, national or ethnic origin, citizenship status, age, disability, veteran status, or any other legally protected class.

Penn Engineering, CBE, and the University offer a number of resources to foster inclusion, equity, and intellectual growth for graduate students. Please review the information and resources below that may be of particular interest to graduate and professional students at CBE.

Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (ODEI) @ SEAS

The Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion holds at its core the commitment to celebrating and increasing the representation of underrepresented minorities in the student body, faculty, and staff of Penn Engineering. As part of this mission, students are central to the ODEI’s functions. A variety of programs and services are offered to assist both undergraduate and graduate students along their journey. Furthermore, they offer a space for students to serve as peer counselors, mentors, role models, and leaders in student-run organizations.

Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Opportunities Page

Penn Bias Incident Reporting

Individuals may report their concerns about having been treated in a biased or discriminatory manner by completing a Bias Incident Reporting Form.

Bias Incident Reporting Form

Preferred Names

In support of the University of Pennsylvania’s commitment to providing an equitable and safe experience for students whose birth name and/or legal name does not reflect their gender identity and/or gender expression, Penn accepts requests from any student seeking to use a preferred first and/or middle name in University records. A student’s preferred name can and will be used where feasible in all University systems unless the student’s birth name and/or legal name use is required by law or the student’s preferred name to use is for the intent of misrepresentation.

Preferred Name
Preferred Name Request Form (You will need to use your Pennkey to access the form)

All Gender/ Gender Neutral Restrooms

Penn has over 80 all gender restroom options across campus and the Penn LGBT Center is continuously working to increase that number.

Gender Inclusive Housing

Gender Inclusive Housing allows students to be assigned a room without regard to sex assigned at birth or gender identity. Students who request Gender Inclusive Housing will be assigned with others making that same request. Because the room assignment is gender-blind, students may be matched with someone of the same or different gender identity or sex assigned at birth. Any room type is available for Gender Inclusive Housing. In addition, if a student has a specific roommate request who is a student of a different gender identity or sex assigned at birth, that request may be accommodated provided the request is mutual.

Physical Health Resources @ Student Health Service (SHS)

The University of Pennsylvania Student Health Service (SHS) values diversity and welcomes students and patients from diverse backgrounds. SHS does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, creed, national or ethnic origin, citizenship status, age, disability, veteran status or any other legally protected class status in its services or in its employment practices. Student Health Services provides physical health resources to everyone and has programs for specific populations including: