Academic research is an integral part of the College curriculum. 

Students have the opportunity to work side by side with Penn faculty, who serve as mentors, colleagues, and role models, on research that spans the full range of disciplines at the University. Through these research activities, College students apply what they have learned in previous coursework and take part in the creation of knowledge, one of the University's core missions.

The value of research lies in the work as much as the product. Research reinforces and instills mastery of academic skills: how to formulate a question or hypothesis, how to gather evidence, and how to answer that question or test that hypothesis.

In some cases, students may receive independent study credit for research activities and scholarship, or receive work-study funds or stipends from faculty grants.