After completion of the first year of coursework and lab rotations, a Biology graduate student may transfer up to a total of 8 course units towards his/her degree. Only 4 course units may be transferred for courses taken through the College of Liberal and Professional Studies at the University of Pennsylvania. Guidelines for transfer of credits is as follows:
- Courses must be graduate level and taken while in a post-baccalaureate program
- Courses must be graded; the minimum grade must be a “B.”
- Courses must have been completed in the last 10 years
- Student must not have already taken courses in current Penn program.
At the end of the first year, the department coordinator, in conjunction with each student, will review his/her file for eligible courses and prepare the Transfer of Credit form. The student may be required to submit course descriptions as well as updated transcript(s) if needed.
The Transfer of Credit Form will be given to the Graduate Chair for review and signature. The signed form will be sent to the Graduate Division of the School of Arts and Sciences for GAS Dean’s approval and posting of credits on transcript.
Transfer of credit has a positive impact on funding. Students who receive transfer credit for courses completed before they matriculated into a Penn Ph.D. program may move from Full Tuition to Reduced Tuition sooner than the end of year five. SAS students who transfer six, seven, or eight courses will be charged Reduced Tuition after the end of year four. Students who transfer three, four or five courses will be charged Reduced Tuition after nine semesters.