University of Pittsburgh

UNDERGRADUATE
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Dietrich 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 (67 credits):
  • One of the following
    • GEOL 0040 Physical Geology
    • GEOL 0800 Geology
    • GEOL 0860 Environmental Geology
  • GEOL 0055 Geology Laboratory
  • GEOL 0060 History of the Earth
  • GEOL 1001 Mineralogy
  • GEOL 1003 Igneous and Metamorphic Petrology
  • GEOL 1020 Sedimentology and Stratigraphy
  • GEOL 1100 Structural Geology
  • GEOL 1960 Field Camp
  • GEOL 3900 Topics in  Geology: Colloquium
  • Nine credits in GEOL elective courses at the 1000 level or above
Corequirements
  • CHEM 0110 General Chemistry 1
  • CHEM 0120 General Chemistry 2
  • MATH 0220 Analytic Geometry and Calculus
  • MATH 0230 Analytic Geometry and Calculus or MATH 0235 Honors Variable Calculus
  • One of the following
    • MATH 0240 Analytical Geometry and Calculus 3
    • MATH 0250 Matrix Theory and Differential Equations
    • STAT 1000 Applied Statistical Methods
  • PHYS 0174 Basic Physics for Science and Engineering 1
  • PHYS 0175 Basic Physics for Science and Engineering 2

 

Environmental Geology Major Course Requirements
Core courses required for a geology major (29 credits)
  • One of the following
    • GEOL 0040 Physical Geology
    • GEOL 0800 Geology
    • GEOL 0860 Environmental Geology
  • GEOL 0055 Geology Laboratory
  • GEOL 1001 Mineralogy
  • GEOL 1003 Igneous and Metamorphic Petrology
  • GEOL 1020 Sedimentology and Stratigraphy
  • GEOL 1051 Groundwater Geology
  • GEOL 1100 Structural Geology
  • GEOL 1960 Field Camp
  • GEOL 3900 Topics in Geology: Colloquium
  • Nine credits in GEOL elective courses at the 1000 level or above
Corequirements
  • BIOSC 0150 Foundations of Biology 1
  • CHEM 0110 General Chemistry 1
  • CHEM 0120 General Chemistry 2
  • MATH 0220 Analytic Geometry and Calculus
  • MATH 0230 Analytic Geometry and Calculus 2 or MATH 0235 Honors Variable Calculus
  • PHYS 0174 Basic Physics for Science and Engineering 1
  • PHYS 0175 Basic Physics for Science and Engineering 2
  • Three credits of a non-introductory course in one of the following disciplines.
      • Biological Science (BIOSC)
      • Civil and Environmental Engineering (CEE)
      • Chemistry (CHEM)
      • Computer Science (CS)
      • Mathematics (MATH)

 

Requirements for 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 by majors. No more than two of the non-geological science courses that count toward the major may be taken on an S/NC basis.

Geology majors automatically fulfill the Dietrich School -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.

Students must complete at least one writing-intensive (W) course in the major.

A minimum GPA of 2.0 in departmental courses is required to graduate.

 

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):
  • One of the following courses.
    • GEOL 0040 Physical Geology
    • GEOL 0800 Geology
    • GEOL 0840 Earth System Science
    • GEOL 0860 Environmental Geology
  • GEOL 0030 Atmosphere, Oceans, and Climate
  • GEOL 0055 Geology Laboratory
  • GEOL 1313 Communication for Environmental Professionals
  • GEOL 1515 Environmental Geochemistry
  • BIOSC 0150 Foundations of Biology 1
  • BIOSC 0050 Foundations of Biology Lab 1
  • One of the following courses.
    • ECON 0100 Introduction to Microeconomic Theory
    • ECON 0110 Introduction to Macroeconomics Theory
    • ECON 01210 Introductory Economic Theory
    • ECON 0800 Introduction to Economics
  • LEGLST 1320 Law and Environment
  • One of the following options.
    • EOH 2180 Introduction to Risk Sciences and EOH 2181 Risk Assessment Practicum
    • HPS 0611 Principles of Scientific Reasoning
  • One of the following courses.
    • GEOL 1055 Environmental Science, Ethics, and Public Policy
    • GEOL 1056 Honors Environmental Science, Ethics, and Public Policy

 

Environmental field course (at least 2 credits from one of the following):
  • BIOSC 0740 Yellowstone Field Course*

* 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
  • GEOL 1900 Internship, 3 or 4 credits
Corequirements (12 credits):
  • CHEM 0110 General Chemistry 1
  • One of the following options
    • MATH 0125 Calculus for Business 1 and MATH 0126 Calculus for Business 2
    • MATH 0120 Business Calculus
    • MATH 0220 Analytic Geometry and Calculus 1
  • One of the following courses.
    • STAT 0200 Basic Applied Statistics
    • STAT 1000 Applied Statistical Methods
    • STAT 1100 Statistics and Probability for Business Management
     

 

 

Electives (24 credits) in one of the following fashions:
  • 12 credits in the social sciences and humanities
  • 12 credits in the natural sciences and engineering

*See the advisor for list of approved courses.

Environmental studies majors automatically fulfill Arts and Sciences required related area.  Three elective credits may be earned through independent study projects or internships.