School of Arts and Sciences
MAJOR AND MINOR DESCRIPTIONS BY DEPARTMENT
GEOLOGY AND PLANETARY SCIENCE
The Department of Geology and Planetary Science studies the Earth and how it works. The earth is a fascinating natural system that supports many interactions between the solid earth, oceans, atmosphere, life, and various solar system objects. The primary goal of our geology and environmental geology majors (both BS programs) is a scientific understanding of these natural systems and their significant and sometimes surprising variations over geologic time. In addition, these students often seek a solid scientific grounding in earth resources and environmental problems. Our popular environmental studies major (a BA program) focuses on the economic, political, and legal issues that conspire to either cause or prevent the solution of environmental problems. Our programs are popular with people who love nature, who want to understand how the earth works, and who want to understand the many dimensions of modern environmental issues. For more information on our programs, please visit www.geology.pitt.edu.
Geology Major Course Requirements
Core courses required for a geology major (29 credits):
- GEOL 0040 Physical Geology or GEOL 0800 Geology or GEOL 0860 Environmental Geology
- GEOL 0055 Geology Laboratory
- GEOL 0060 History of the Earth
- GEOL 1001 Mineralogy
- GEOL 1003 Igneous and Metamorphic Petrology
- GEOL 1015 Geology Colloquium
- GEOL 1020 Sedimentology and Stratigraphy
- GEOL 1100 Structural Geology
- GEOL 1960 Field Camp
Electives (9 credits): Students must earn at least 9 credits of upper-division or graduate-level GEOL courses from the following
- GEOL 1051 Groundwater Geology
- GEOL 1052 Paleoclimatology
- GEOL 1055 Environmental Science, Ethics, and Public Policy
- GEOL 1060 Geomorphology
- GEOL 1080 Geoarcheology
- GEOL 1200 Paleontology
- GEOL 1201 Evolution and Extinction
- GEOL 1313 Communication for Environmental Professionals (W course)
- GEOL 1410 Exploration Geophysics
- GEOL 1445 GIS, GPS, and Computer Methods
- GEOL 1460 Remote Sensing of the Earth
- GEOL 1515 Environmental Geochemistry
- GEOL 1640 Geologic and Environmental Hazards
- GEOL 1701 Geology of the Planets
- GEOL 1900 Internship
- GEOL 1901 Independent Study
- GEOL 1903 Undergraduate Research
- GEOL 1904 Research in Environmental Policy
- GEOL 2447 Introduction to Arc/View
- GEOL 3963 Topics in Environmental Geology
Corequirements (29 credits):
- MATH 0220, and MATH 0230, Calculus 1 and 2, or MATH 0240 Analytical Geometry and Calculus 3 and STAT 1000 Applied Statistical Methods
- PHYS 0174 and PHYS 0175 Basic Physics for Science and Engineering 1 and 2
- CHEM 0110 and CHEM 0120 General Chemistry 1 and 2
Environmental Geology Major Course Requirements
Core courses required for a geology major (29 credits):
- GEOL 0040 Physical Geology or GEOL 0800 Geology or GEOL 0860 Environmental Geology
- GEOL 0055 Geology Laboratory
- GEOL 1001 Mineralogy
- GEOL 1003 Igneous and Metamorphic Petrology
- GEOL 1015 Geology Colloquium
- GEOL 1020 Sedimentology and Stratigraphy
- GEOL 1051 Groundwater Geology
- GEOL 1100 Structural Geology
- GEOL 1960 Field Camp
Electives (12 credits):
- At least 9 credits of upper-division or graduate-level GEOL courses from the following:
- GEOL 0060 History of the Earth
- GEOL 1052 Paleoclimatology
- GEOL 1055 Environmental Science, Ethics, and Public Policy
- GEOL 1060 Geomorphology
- GEOL 1080 Geoarcheology
- GEOL 1200 Paleontology
- GEOL 1201 Evolution and Extinction
- GEOL 1313 Communication for Environmental Professionals (W course)
- GEOL 1410 Exploration Geophysics
- GEOL 1445 GIS, GPS, and Computer Methods
- GEOL 1460 Remote Sensing of the Earth
- GEOL 1515 Environmental Geochemistry
- GEOL 1640 Geologic Environmental Hazards
- GEOL 1701 Geology of the Planets
- GEOL 1900 Internship
- GEOL 1901 Independent Study
- GEOL 1903 Undergraduate Research
- GEOL 1904 Research in Environmental Policy
- GEOL 2447 Introduction to Arc/View and Advanced Arc/View Programming
- GEOL 3963 Topics in Environmental Geology
- One upper-division BIOSC, CHEM, CE, MATH, or CS course such as BIOSC 0370 Ecology, CHEM 0310 Organic Chemistry 1, or CE 1503 Introduction to Environmental Engineering.
Corequirements (27 credits):
- MATH 0220 and MATH 0230 Analytical Geometry and Calculus 1 and 2
- PHYS 0174 and PHYS 0175 Basic Physics for Science and Engineering 1 and 2 or PHYS 0475 and PHYS 0476 UHC Introduction to Physics for Science and Engineering 1 and 2
- CHEM 0110 and CHEM 0120 General Chemistry 1 and 2 or equivalents
- BIOSC 0150 Foundations of Biology 1
Requirements for Both Geology and Environmental Geology Majors
The following rules and requirements apply to both geology and environmental geology majors:
Geology credits may not be earned on credit-by-examination basis, and no geology course may be taken on the S/NC basis (formerly the S/N option) by majors. However, any two of the following required courses for either major may be taken on an S/NC basis (formerly the S/N option):
- BIOSC 0150 and 0160 Foundations of Biology 1 and 2
- CHEM 0110 and 0120 General Chemistry 1 and 2
- MATH 0220, 0230, and 0240 Analytic Geometry and Calculus 1, 2, and 3
- PHYS 0174 and 0175 Basic Physics for Science and Engineering 1 and 2
Geology majors automatically fulfill the A&S-required related area by taking courses in mathematics, physics, and chemistry. Environmental geology majors do not automatically fulfill the related area requirements by taking the required courses.
To graduate with departmental honors, a student must complete one of three options (course, research, or internship). Please see the department for details on these options for students majoring in geology or environmental geology.
- A minimum of 3 credits in geochemistry and 3 credits in geophysics must be included in the minimum requirements listed above, and students must have an overall GPA of 3.25 or higher.
- The nature of geology is such that certain courses must be taken in sequence. Because of the prerequisites in other sciences, CHEM 0110 and 0120 should be taken during the first two terms, and the mathematics and physics sequences should begin as early as possible, preferably in the freshman year.
Environmental Studies Overview (Bachelor of Arts Degree)
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.
Environmental Studies Major Requirements
The major consists of core courses, corequirements, 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 corequirements provide the necessary background for advanced study. Majors are encouraged to undertake an independent research project, internship, or senior thesis.
Core courses required for the major include the following (33 credits):
- GEOL 0860 Environmental Geology or GEOL 0800 Geology or GEOL 0040 Physical Geology or GEOL 0820 Natural Disasters
- GEOL 0030 Atomsphere, Oceans, and Climate
- GEOL 0055 Geology Laboratory
- GEOL 1515 Environmental Geochemistry
- GEOL 1313 Communication for Environmental Professionals
- BIOSC 0150 Foundations of Biology 1
- BIOSC 0050 Foundations of Biology Lab 1
- ECON 0800 Introduction to Economics or ECON 0100 Introduction to Microeconomic Theory or ECON 0110 Introduction to Macroeconomics Theory
- LEGLST 1320 Law and Environment
- EOH 2180 Introduction to Risk Sciences, EOH 2181 Risk Assessment or HPS 0611 Principles of Scientific Reasoning
Environmental field course (at least 2 credits from one of the following):
- BIOSC 0740 Yellowstone Field Course
- BIOSC 1040 Ecological Management
- An approved environmental science field course run through an outside institution
- GEOL 1900 Internship, 3 or 4 credits
Environmental Internship course
- GEOL 1900 Internship, 3 or 4 credits
Interdisciplinary capstone course:
- GEOL 1055 Environmental Science, Ethics, and Public Policy or GEOL 1056 (the honors version taught jointly by the Department of Geology and Planetary Science and the University Honors College).
Corequirements (12 credits):
- CHEM 0110 General Chemistry 1
- MATH 0220 Analytic Geometry and Calculus 1 or MATH 0120 Business Calculus
- STAT 0200 Basic Applied Statistics or STAT 1000 Applied Statistical Methods or STAT 1100 Statistics and Probability for Business Management or STAT 1151 Introduction to Probability
Electives (24 credits) in one of the following fashions:
- 12 credits in the social sciences/humanities
- 12 credits in the natural sciences
- see advisor for approved list
Environmental studies majors automatically fulfill Arts and Sciences required related area.
Three elective credits may be earned through independent study projects or internships.