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2022-2023 Undergraduate Catalog
University of Pittsburgh
   
2022-2023 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
 
  Mar 28, 2024
 
2022-2023 Undergraduate Catalog [Archived Catalog]

Environmental Studies, BA


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Rapid growth in human population and development has led to complex environmental problems on local and global scales. The way in which we address these issues will have a profound effect on our society and planet in the coming century. Enlightened solutions require a strong component of scientific knowledge and an awareness of the relevant societal issues. A major in environmental studies will equip students with an understanding of earth systems and the environment, including the role of geologic processes on human activity and the impact of humans on the biosphere, atmosphere, hydrosphere, and global climate. Courses in the natural and social sciences supplement a traditional liberal arts curriculum to provide a comprehensive, interdisciplinary background in the scientific, economic, political, and social aspects of human interaction with the environment.

The environmental studies major provides a strong background for students who seek careers in fields such as resource development and management, environmental policy and regulation, risk assessment, land use planning, public policy, and education. Potential employers include local, state, or federal government organizations; consulting firms; or companies that are affected by environmental issues or regulations. Graduates of the Environmental Studies Program can also pursue postgraduate study in fields such as business, law, medicine, public policy, education, international relations, urban and regional planning, environmental management, and public health.

Major Requirements


The major consists of core courses, co-requirements, and electives. The core courses provide a fundamental understanding of environmental processes, issues, and policy and culminate in an environmental science field course and an interdisciplinary capstone course on science and public policy. The co-requirements provide the necessary background for advanced study. Majors are encouraged to undertake an independent research project, internship, or senior thesis.

Legal Studies course


One of the following courses.

One of the following Reasoning courses


Field course note


This requirement can be satisfied by taking any BIOSC course offered at the Pymatuning Ecology Laboratory or an approved environmental science field course offered through an outside institution. In either case, the substituted course must have a credit value of not less than two credits.

Environmental Internship course


Twelve credits of electives in Social Science and Humanities


Students must complete 12 credits in social science and/or humanities courses from the following lists.

History of Art and Architecture courses


Twelve credits of electives in the Natural Sciences and Engineering


Students must complete 12 credits in natural science and/or engineering courses from the following lists.

Students are encouraged to take BIOSC 0150  and BIOSC 0160  because they are prerequisites for the Pymatuning field courses. Students are further encouraged to take the GEOL 1300-level electives.

Other requirements


Grade requirements: A minimum GPA of 2.0 is required in those courses that count toward the major. All core courses, co-requirements, and electives must be passed with a grade of C- or better.

Satisfactory/No Credit option: There is no limit on the number of courses in the major that can be taken on an S/NC basis.

Writing (W) requirement: GEOL 1313 satisfies this requirement for Environmental Studies majors.

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