Below you'll find a series of resources we have assembled for Penn Biology undergraduate and graduate students.*
Additional Resources
Penn offers a wide range of health and wellness services for undergraduate and graduate students. For more information please visit:
for more information.
The Department of Biology at the University of Pennsylvania affirms support for the life and value of all Black community members and acknowledges the pain that many are experiencing. We are committed to doing our part and taking concrete actions to form an inclusive, truthful, and compassionate academic community.
We encourage and support our students to find ways to connect with those around them and to develop strong, supportive communities with their peers within Biology, and within the College and the University as a whole. For more resources on finding community within the College of Arts of Sciences, please visit:
https://www.college.upenn.edu/wellness#section-2171
Incident Reporting
If you have been harmed or for any reason feel uncomfortable or unsafe and would like to speak with someone confidentially or report an incident, click here for a list of the resources available.
If you have been involved in an incident of bias, either as a harmed party or as a witness, and you would like to make a report, you can do so using a Bias Incident Reporting Form.
For assistance contact Erol Akçay, departmental ombudsman, but please note that you can also reach out to any the department's faculty or staff.
The College strives to make sure all undergraduate students are supported and prepared to achieve. To learn more about how the College supports academic and personal growth, click here:
Career Services is open to all students at Penn and assists students with all kinds of career decisions, from a student's first year here until graduation. Career Services also provides information on funding resources.
BGS Career Development website open to students with links to five areas of career development: Core Competencies, Career Paths, Career Blog, Alumni Outcomes (for PSoM students only), and Resources.
Please visit:
International Student & Scholar Services (ISSS)
ISSS serves as the main hub for International Student support at Penn and includes tips on immigration, preparing for life in the US, and links to important information and documents.
The PennBook provides information on student life policies at Penn. The most important sections are:
- Academic Rules for PhDs and Research Masters Degrees
- Code of Student Conduct
- Code of Academic Integrity
- Handbook for Ethics and Original Research
Philadelphia is a "city of neighborhoods," and there are many nice neighborhoods within walking distance of Penn, including University City, Rittenhouse Square, and Center City. Other areas that are quick bus ride to Penn include Society Hill, Art Museum, Fairmount, Queens Village, and Olde City.
For information about off-campus living, please Off-Campus Services website.
There is also on-campus housing for graduate students. Please visit Penn Residential Services website for information about our graduate facilities.
The Graduate Student Center is a "home" just for graduate and professional students which provides support services, recreational activities, or a place to meet other graduate students across various disciplines and cultures. The Graduate Student Center also provides seminars and workshops on professional development, applying for external grants, and effective teaching. A complete list of programs is available under the heading Navigating the Academy. For those who need to focus on writing the dissertation, there is Thesis and Dissertation Support.
The Family Center provides information and advocacy for students and post-docs with children as well as those who are expecting a new addition to the family in the near future. It has family-oriented activities, information on parenting and friendly environment to connect with other parents. In addition, the Family Grant and Dependent Health Insurance Grant will provide assistance with family expenses and the costs of health insurance for dependents.
*Thank you to the Penn's LIfe Sciences & Management program for their help pulling together these important resources for our department.