Track 1

Recommended for students with AP, IB, or other advanced biology courses and high school chemistry. Introductory level:

• BIOL 1121: Introduction to Biology: The Molecular Biology of Life (lecture and recitation, 1.0 c.u.)
• BIOL 1123: Introductory Molecular Biology Lab (lab with one hour lecture, 0.5 c.u.)
• BIOL 1124: Introductory Organismal Biology Lab (lab with one hour lecture, 0.5 c.u.)

Track 1 is a one semester introduction to the major and is designed for students with a strong foundation in high school Biology and Chemistry. It is generally recommended for students who have earned either a 4 or 5 on the AP Biology exam and who have also taken at least one course of high school Chemistry. The BIOL 1121 lecture covers topics similar to those found in BIOL 1101, but in greater detail and at a quicker pace. Majors are advised to complete BIOL 1121 lecture with BIOL 1123 lab. Please note that biology majors and students completing pre-health requirements will need one additional intermediate level or advanced biology lecture course.

Track 2

Recommended for students with one year of high school biology. Introductory level:

• BIOL 1101: Introduction to Biology A (lecture and lab,1.5 c.u.)
• BIOL 1102: Introduction to Biology B (lecture and lab, 1.5 c.u.)

Track 2 is the more standard two semester introduction to the major. BIOL 1101 covers topics in cellular and molecular biology and genetics, and BIOL 1102 covers topics in ecology, evolution, and organismal biology. 

For more information and guidance on choosing the right Biology course and other STEM courses based on placement, high school background and current interests, see our Entering the STEM Fields at Penn interactive tool or PDF infographic below.

Interactive Tool 

PDF Infographic (accessible)

Incoming First-Year and Transfer students may receive credit for the lecture portion of one introductory course (BIOL 1101, 1102, or 1121) by passing the Departmental equivalency exam for that course. These exams are offered annually at the start of the Fall semester and are open only to incoming First-Year and Transfer students. To learn more about these exams and how to register to take these exams, please see the Biology department website.

The Department of Biology does not offer advanced placement credit based on external exams. See the Biology Department's website for additional information including internal placement exams.

CHEM 1011 - Introduction to General Chemistry I is an introductory chemistry course that will provide an overview of atomic structure, mole concepts, stoichiometry, limiting reagents and balancing reactions, and quantum theory as it applies to understanding molecular structure and chemical reactivity, including the behavior of gases, liquids, and solids. It is directed at both potential majors and non-majors who require a first-year introductory chemistry course and did not have a rigorous chemistry course in high school. Students who have not had much exposure to physics and calculus at the high school level should also consider this course.

CHEM 1012 - General Chemistry I is a more advanced introductory chemistry course that is geared toward students who have taken 1 or 2 years of high school chemistry. This course focuses on chemical bonding and molecular structure, providing coverage of quantum theory, atomic electronic structure and physical properties, chemical bonding theories (Lewis, Valence Bond, and Molecular Orbital), bonding in organic and inorganic systems, intermolecular interactions in biochemical and chemical systems, molecular behavior of gases, liquids and solids, and an overview of foundational chemical reactions and predicting their outcomes (combustion, acid/base, precipitation, and redox). It is directed at both potential majors and non-majors who require a first-year introductory chemistry course and have solid preparation in chemistry, physical science, and calculus at the high school level.

CHEM 1151 - Honors Chemistry I is a course that will focus on introducing students to the nature of the chemical bond (including forces, potentials, and quantum mechanics). We will discuss the following topics: chemical bonding theories, quantum mechanics, atomic structure, molecular structure, bonding in organic and inorganic complexes, and atomic and molecular spectroscopy. It is designed for students who have had AP Chemistry (with a score of 5) in high school, who are concurrently enrolled in MATH 1410,  and who are planning to major in STEM and who would like to take the honors-level general chemistry course. Students will gain facility with reading the relevant chemical literature.

For more information and guidance on choosing the right Chemistry course and other STEM courses based on placement, high school background and current interests, see our Entering the STEM Fields at Penn interactive tool or PDF infographic (accessible).

I'm an incoming student. How do I decide which course to take (CHEM 1011, CHEM 1012 or CHEM 1151)?  CHEM 1011 is designed for students with more limited experience in high school science and math. Students who had AP Chem in high school typically enroll in CHEM 1012, and students who earned a 5 on the AP Chem exam and are enrolled in MATH 1410 are eligible for CHEM 1151. There will be an online chemistry placement exam offered over the summer that will guide students choosing between CHEM 1011 and CHEM 1012.

Chemistry placement at Penn takes place in two stages:

• Placement Exam – determines which courses you are allowed to register for
• Credit Exam – grants official Penn credit for prerequisite courses and allows you to move ahead in the sequence

The placement exam does not award credit.

AP Chemistry scores do not award credit, but a score of 5 may qualify you for the honors sequence. 

For more detailed information on placement, please see Compass. 

The Department of Chemistry does not grant advanced placement credit based on external exams.

There are two primary calculus sequences:

• Math 1300 -> Math 1400 -> Math 1410: Most students taking calculus at Penn (including students interested in the mathematical and physical sciences) will take one or more of these courses
• Math 1070 -> Math 1080: If you are interested in a major in Economics, you have the option to satisfy your calculus requirements using these courses

For more information and guidance on choosing the right Math course and other STEM courses based on placement, high school background and current interests, see our Entering the STEM Fields at Penn interactive tool or PDF infographic below. 

Math placement at Penn takes place in two stages: 

• Placement Exam – determines which courses you are allowed to register for.
• Credit Exam – grants official Penn credit for prerequisite courses and allow you to remain enrolled in the course into which you placed.

The placement exam does not award credit.  

A score of 5 on the AP Calculus BC exam grants credit for Math 1300. 

For more detailed information on math placement, please see Compass. 

All students are eligible to take the Mathematics Department's internal exams for credit, which are offered at the beginning of the fall semester. More information is available on the Mathematics Department website.

See the placement page for information about AP scores for Mathematics.

The Mathematics Department does not give credit for foreign examinations, such as the IB, German Abitur, the French Baccalaureat and the English A-Levels.

Credit will be granted to students who achieve a score of 5 on the appropriate Advanced Placement (A.P.) exam. Students may also receive credit based on their performance on the A-level, International Baccalaureate or other centrally administered examinations.

A student who has A.P. credit for the equivalent Physics course and who wishes to enroll in introductory-level mechanics, PHYS 0008, 0101, 0140, 0150, 0170 or electricity and magnetism, PHYS 0009, 0102, 0141, 0151, 0171 at Penn must ask their advisor to remove the A.P. credit from their transcript.

Potential Physics majors with advanced placement credits are strongly encouraged to take the Honors Physics sequence PHYS 0170/0171.

For more information and guidance on choosing the right Physics course and other STEM courses based on placement, high school background and current interests, see our Entering the STEM Fields at Penn interactive tool or PDF infographic below.