Letter from the Undergraduate Chair - Sebastian Angel

We are in the midst of a computing revolution, a moment that will redefine our future. From generative AI that creates stunning art,  prose, and code, to computational models that accelerate new scientific discoveries like Penn’s AIRFoundry, intelligent systems are transforming every facet of our world. This journey from massive machines to intelligent systems has roots right here at Penn Engineering, home of the ENIAC, the world’s first general-purpose electronic computer. In 1946, ENIAC weighed 30 tons; today, computational power that dwarfs it sits in your pocket. Who wouldn’t want to be at the heart of this transformation, designing the systems and algorithms that will shape the decades to come?

You might think that as technology grows more powerful, the barriers to making a meaningful impact would rise. Yet, what’s remarkable about our field is that the opposite is true. Fueled by a culture of collaboration and the open-source movement, a flood of powerful tools, massive datasets, and pre-trained models are freely available to everyone. This democratization of technology means a small, creative team can build something that changes the world. We see proof of this every year at the PennApps—the nation’s first student-run college hackathon—where students build breathtaking projects in a single weekend. There has never been a more thrilling time to be a creator in this field.

To meet this moment, we have revamped and expanded the courses that make up our Computer and Information Science BSE and BAS degrees, ensuring that you have all of the tools that you will need to succeed in this fast changing world. In addition, we recently launched our BSE in Artificial Intelligence—designed from the ground up to place you at the forefront of AI, machine learning, and data science. Of course, the paths to impact are diverse, and here at Penn you can find the perfect fit for your passion. You can blend computing with fine arts in our Digital Media Design program, build the physical hardware of the future in our Computer Engineering program, or combine innovation with entrepreneurship in the Management & Technology program.

No matter which path you choose, our curriculum provides an unshakeable foundation in computer science. You’ll master the theoretical underpinnings of discrete mathematics, logic, and algorithms. Then, through hands-on labs and team projects, you’ll apply this theory to build the future in areas like machine learning, artificial intelligence, robotics, algorithms and theory, distributed systems, and cybersecurity. These efforts culminate in a year-long Senior Project, a capstone experience where you and your team can showcase your creativity and technical mastery by building a system entirely of your own design.

At Penn, you won’t just learn from textbooks; you’ll collaborate with world-class faculty who are actively defining the frontiers of AI and computer science. You’ll have the chance to join their research labs, contributing to cutting-edge work that pushes the boundaries of what’s possible. Our dedicated advising staff, working alongside your faculty mentors, will support you every step of the way to ensure you thrive both inside and outside the classroom.

The history of computing—a story that Penn helped write—has been extraordinary. But the future that you will help build promises to be even more remarkable. We can’t wait for you to join us and see what you will create.

 

Sebastian Angel

Associate Professor, Computer and Information Science

Undergraduate Curriculum Chair