2016-2017 Undergraduate Catalog [Archived Catalog]
Natural Sciences, BS
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The natural sciences major is a liberal arts major with a focus on courses from three natural sciences departments. Students customize this major to meet their interests and personal or career goals, choosing from a variety of courses with a concentration in three areas, such as anthropology, biological sciences, chemistry, computer science, geology and planetary science, history and philosophy of science, mathematics, neuroscience, physics, psychology, and statistics.
Also available are a pre-medicine option (for those preparing for medical school or another health professional school); a pre-physician assistant option (for those preparing to apply to Physician Assistant education programs), and two pre-education options (for those preparing for teaching careers).
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Natural Sciences Standard Major (36 credits)
Choose a minimum of 36 credits (approximately 12 courses) from any three departments below. All courses taken must be related to natural sciences. At least five courses must be taken from one department, and at least three courses should be taken from each of the two other departments. All courses selected for the natural sciences major must be approved by an academic advisor.
- Anthropology (natural sciences-related course)
- Astronomy
- Biological Sciences
- Chemistry
- Computer science (only courses numbered 0401 and above)
- Geology and planetary science
- History and philosophy of science (natural sciences-related course)
- Mathematics (only courses numbered 0220 and above)
- Neuroscience
- Physics
- Psychology (natural sciences-related course)
- Statistics (0200 or 1000, and courses numbered above 1000)
Pre-Medicine Option (39 credits)
This natural sciences concentration incorporates the course work needed for admission to most medical and dental programs. Completion of this concentration does not guarantee acceptance into graduate study. Students pursuing this option can take advantage of the resources of the University of Pittsburgh’s health professions advising team, based in the University Honors College. Night sections of biology, chemistry, and physics courses are available, with seats reserved specifically for CGS students.
Pre-Physician Assistant Option (40 credits)
The pre-PA curriculum is designed for students interested in the Physician Assistant Studies Program at the University of Pittsburgh School of Health & Rehabilitation Sciences (SHRS). The pre-PA option incorporates the prerequisite course work necessary for application to the PA program. Please note that completion of the pre-PA plan of studies does not guarantee direct admission into graduate study. For a full list of admission requirements, visit the School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences PA program web site. Note: Requirements for other PA programs from other schools than the University of Pittsburgh may differ.
Pre-Education Options
The College of General Studies and the Pitt School of Education have collaborated on two concentrations in the natural sciences major that incorporate the prerequisite science course work needed for admission into the certificate programs in earth and space science and general science. These options may be used by students interested in the Master of Arts in Teaching program offered in the School of Education. Completion of the prerequisites for the School of Education does not guarantee acceptance to its programs. Students must complete a minimum of 120 credits (approximately 40 courses) for a Bachelor of Science degree with a major in natural sciences. Of this total, students must take a minimum of 38 credits (approximately 12 courses) according to the specifications. The remaining credits required for the degree are outlined on the Requirements for the Bachelor’s Degree information sheet.
Earth and Space Science Concentration (45 credits)
General Science Concentration (46 credits)
Notes
Requirements are subject to change. Check with an academic advisor before registering.
An internship program is available through the College of General Studies. Please see your advisor for additional information.
General Education Requirements
To earn a Bachelor of Arts or a Bachelor of Science degree in the College of General Studies, you must satisfactorily complete a minimum of 120 credits (approximately 40 courses), at least 30 credits of which must be in upper-division (1000-level) courses. These 1000-level courses may come from any of the requirements for the degree listed below. Requirements are subject to change; students should check with an academic advisor before registering. Approved courses are listed each term at www.cgs.pitt.edu
Skills (15 credits minimum)
Certain tools of knowledge are required of all students in the baccalaureate degree program: ability to use the English language orally and in writing and ability to understand and use basic mathematical symbols. The courses required to satisfy each of the skills requirements are listed below:
Oral Communication-3 credits
Writing-9 credits minimum
ENGCMP 0200 - 0208 and two other courses from English composition (ENGCMP) or English writing (ENGWRT), or those designated W (writing).
Note: At least 3 credits of composition/writing must be from the University of Pittsburgh.
Mathematics-3 credits minimum
Note:
Students admitted to CGS for the fall term 2008 (2091) and thereafter are required to complete the public speaking, math, and first University writing course (ENGCMP 0200 or above) with a C- or better grade.
Quantitative and Formal Reasoning (3 credits minimum)
In addition to the acquisition of certain tools of knowledge through the skills requirements, students also need to acquire the ability to apply logic and formal reasoning to reading, writing, and thinking. Choose one course from the following list:
Understandings (27 credits)
A liberal education provides broad exposure to the three major bodies of knowledge-humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences. Students are exposed to social, scientific, aesthetic, moral, and religious information, the purpose of which is to furnish insight into how the concerns of people are interrelated, how knowledge has been accumulated, and how unsolved problems still challenge humanity. The courses needed to fulfill the understandings requirements are listed below.
Humanities (9 credits)
Three courses (one at the 1000 level) distributed over three of the disciplines listed below:
| Africana Studies |
Japanese* |
| Classics |
Linguistics |
| Communication |
Music |
| English Composition |
Philosophy |
| English Film |
Religious studies |
| English Literature |
Russian* |
| English Writing |
Slovak* |
| French* |
Spanish* |
| German* |
Studio Arts |
| History of Art and Architecture |
Theatre Arts |
| Italian* |
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*literature and culture courses
Social Sciences (9 credits)
Three courses (one at the 1000 level) distributed over three of the disciplines listed below:
| Africana Studies |
Legal Studies |
| Anthropology |
Political Science |
| Economics |
Psychology |
| Gender, Sexuality, and Women’s Studies |
Religious Studies |
| History |
Sociology |
| Jewish Studies |
Urban Studies |
Natural Sciences (9 credits)
Three courses distributed over two or three of the disciplines listed below:
| Anthropology |
History and philosophy of science |
| Astronomy |
Neuroscience |
| Biological sciences |
Physics |
| Chemistry |
Psychology |
| Geology and environmental science |
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As these tables show, some departments have courses used in different categories. For the list of approved courses, view Academics at www.cgs.pitt.edu.
Literature (3 credits)
This requirement introduces students to works of literature that have abiding value and, in the process, to the techniques of literary interpretation. This one-course requirement may also be fulfilled from disciplines other than English.
History (3 credits)
The study of history provides an understanding of contemporary society from the viewpoint of long-term change. This one-course requirement may also be fulfilled with courses other than those offered by the Department of History.
Note
A course can be used to fulfill only one requirement in the categories of understandings, literature, and history.
International Perspective (9 credits minimum)
The world of today is economically, politically, and culturally interdependent. In the 21st century, knowledge of countries has become essential. This three-course requirement may be fulfilled by taking internationally focused courses offered by a variety of departments. At least one of the courses must be a non-Western course. All international courses may overlap with another requirement.
Specialized Study (the Major) (30-36 credits)
The baccalaureate degree, in addition to providing certain skills and broad exposure to the major bodies of knowledge, also allows the opportunity to specialize in a particular field, providing depth of experience essential for vocational competence or further graduate study. An outline of each major may be obtained at the CGS information display in 1400 Wesley W. Posvar Hall or on the CGS Web site, www.cgs.pitt.edu.
Students admitted to CGS can choose from the following majors. The majors indicated by asterisks are also available by combining Saturday and CGS Online courses.
- Administration of justice*
- Dental hygiene (for licensed dental hygienists)
- Health services (BA and BS)
- Humanities*
- Legal studies
- Media and professional communications
- Natural sciences
- Public service
- Social sciences*
Students who want a major in an arts and sciences field can begin in CGS and transfer to Arts and Sciences after completing 12 credits including the mathematics and seminar in composition requirements. Admission is determined by Arts and Sciences.
Electives
Any credits not used specifically to satisfy the previous requirements are considered electives. Electives can be taken in a wide variety of subjects to complement, reinforce, or add further breadth to the chosen program of study or to help meet the requirements of aminor or certificate program. Students may have no more than 18 credits in professional courses, such as administration of justice, business, education, engineering, information science, public service, and social work, as electives.
Preparation for Professional Programs
Prerequisite courses for the following programs may be taken through CGS prior to applying to another Pitt school.
• Business • Education • Engineering • Health and Rehabilitation Sciences • Information Science • Nursing • Pharmacy • Social Work
Notes
Requirements are subject to change. Check with an academic advisor before registering.
An internship program is available through the College of General Studies. Please see your advisor for additional information.
For more information, contact the University of Pittsburgh College of General Studies.
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