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| UNDERGRADUATE BULLETIN 1999 - 2002 | [ Previous Page | Table of Contents | Next Page ] |
The University of Pittsburgh makes many special academic opportunities available to all of the University's undergraduate students. These opportunities provide students with ways to augment their education and experience with expanded study programs both on campus and off campus, in both university and professional settings.
AREA OF CONCENTRATIONAn area of concentration is an approved educational experience that results in concentrated training in or knowledge of a particular area within the discipline of a degree program. For each degree, only one area of concentration can be pursued. An earned area of concentration is posted on the student's official transcript at the time of graduation.
Students may broaden their educational experience by electing to take an academic interdisciplinary certificate program in the areas listed below. The certificate may partially fulfill the degree requirements of the student's school. The requirements for each certificate vary, and students should contact the certificate program director. For more information about these certificate programs, see their listings in the school or unit section identified in parentheses.
- Asian Studies (UCIS)
- Children's Literature (CAS)
- Civil and Environmental Engineering and Architectural Studies (Engineering)
- Conceptual Foundations of Medicine (CAS)
- Energy Resource Utilization (Engineering)
- Film Studies (CAS)
- Geographic Information Systems (CAS)
- German Language (CAS)
- Historic Preservation (CAS)
- International Engineering Studies (Engineering)
- Jewish Studies (CAS)
- Latin American Studies (UCIS)
- Medieval and Renaissance Studies (CAS)
- Professional Translation (CAS)
- Russian and East European Studies (UCIS)
- West European Studies (UCIS)
- Women's Studies (CAS)
The University has established some arrangements with industry that permit students to rotate four-month terms between the workplace and the classroom. These programs are administered by the School of Engineering and available to engineering, computer science, and chemistry students. The experience normally starts in the sophomore or junior year. Call (412) 624-9826 for more information or see http://www.engrng.pitt.edu/~coop/.
Cross-college and cross-university registration is a program designed to provide enriched educational opportunities for undergraduates in any of the following participating Pittsburgh-area institutions: Carnegie Mellon University, Carlow College, Chatham College, Community College of Allegheny County, Duquesne University, Point Park College, LaRoche College, Robert Morris College, Pittsburgh Theological Seminary, and the University of Pittsburgh. For requirements and limitations, see the Registration section of this bulletin.
Students may simultaneously pursue more than one undergraduate degree (e.g., a BA and a BS within the College of Arts and Sciences, or an undergraduate degree in the School of Engineering and in the College of Arts and Sciences). Students must be admitted to both schools offering the degrees and fulfill the degree requirements of both schools. For the double degree (whether within or between schools), the student must complete not only the requirements for both degrees, but also a minimum of 30 credits beyond what is normally required for the primary degree (e.g., a student earning two CAS degrees would need at least 150 credits, rather than the usual 120; a student earning a CAS degree as the primary degree and a degree from another University of Pittsburgh school as the secondary degree would need at least 150 credits). Students must maintain a 2.00 QPA in all courses. Check with the individual school for other specific requirements that apply.
GRADUATE AND PROFESSIONAL SCHOOL OPPORTUNITIES
Some schools offer accelerated admission into certain graduate and professional schools through a combined program leading to both a bachelor's and graduate or professional degree. Graduate school provides students with the opportunity to enhance their knowledge and qualifications in areas of academic and professional interest. All students can take advantage of being at a respected research and graduate institution by exploring the many possibilities for graduate study that exist at the University. See the University's graduate studies Web page for general information: http://www.pitt.edu/~graduate/.
The participating undergraduate schools and their early admissions graduate school partners are listed below:
- College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) - Communication Science Program (speech, pathology, and audiology) within the School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences (SHRS)
- CAS - Physical Therapy Program within SHRS
- CAS - School of Dental Medicine
- CAS - School of Law
- School of Nursing - RN Options Program (RN-MSN option)
- SHRS - Health Information Management Program
HONORS COLLEGE AND HONORS COURSES
The University Honors College (UHC) seeks to meet the special academic and cocurricular needs of the University's most able and motivated undergraduate students. The University Honors College offers a variety of carefully designed courses from the humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences, along with special advising, opportunities for academic community with other motivated students, and a special baccalaureate degree in any undergraduate school of the University. Call (412) 624-6880, see http://www.pitt.edu/~uhchome, or see the University Honors College section of this bulletin for more information. In addition, some schools and departments offer an honors major. Students should see their school for more information on this opportunity.
Some schools provide internship experiences appropriate to the student's academic discipline. An internship is a supervised, work-related experience, either on a volunteer or compensated basis. It is intended as a new experience. Students will only get internship credit for a current employment situation that has been pre-approved as an internship by the relevant school or department.
A minor provides an option for a student obtaining a degree in a particular discipline to attain knowledge of another discipline. Students may earn minors in schools other than the school in which they are enrolled. After the student lists the official minor on his or her graduation application, the minor appears on the student's academic record and official transcript when the degree is awarded. See the Schools and Academic Programs section of this bulletin for available minors.
RESERVE OFFICER TRAINING CORPS
ROTC is an educational program designed to provide full-time students an opportunity to become military officers while completing a bachelor's or a graduate degree. Students may elect to participate in either the Air Force or Army ROTC Program at the University of Pittsburgh or the Naval ROTC Program at Carnegie Mellon University. Students in the Army and Air Force programs have the option of completing a two- or a four-year program. Students in the Naval ROTC Program at CMU have the option of completing a two-, three-, or four-year program. Completion of the Air Force ROTC Program leads to a commission as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force. Completion of the Army ROTC Program leads to a commission as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army, the Army National Guard, or the U.S. Army Reserve. Completion of the Navy ROTC Program leads to a commission as an officer in the Navy or Marine Corps. All three programs offer stipends or scholarships. Call (412) 624-6396 or seehttp://www.rotc.pitt.edu for more information on the Air Force ROTC Program, (412) 624-6197 or http://www.cmu.edu/rotc/armyrotc/ for more information on the Army ROTC Program; and (412) 268-5109 or http://www.cmu.edu:80/enrollment/rotc/nrotc/index.html for more information on the Navy ROTC Program.
The Semester at Sea Program is academically sponsored by the College of Arts and Sciences and administered by the Institute for Shipboard Education. Each term, approximately 650 students from the University of Pittsburgh and other institutions across the country travel around the world aboard the S.S. Universe Explorer, which is outfitted as a floating university campus. Educational activities on land during port stays of four to six days complement classroom instruction aboard ship. For more information, see http://www.semesteratsea.com/, call (800) 854-0195 or (412) 648-7490, or visit the Semester at Sea Office in room 811 of the William Pitt Union.
Students are encouraged to add an international dimension to their undergraduate education through study abroad. Programs of study exist in almost every corner of the world. Foreign language proficiency is not a requirement, as some programs offer courses taught in English. Financial aid and scholarships are available. Interested students should schedule an appointment at the Study Abroad Office in room 802 of the William Pitt Union. Call (412) 648-7413 or see http://www.pitt.edu/~stdyabrd for more information. An Engineering Study Abroad Office is located in B-2D Benedum Hall.
The University offers a large selection of courses in a variety of compressed sessions throughout the summer. Current students can register through their school. Additional information is available through the Office of University Summer Sessions at (412) 383-8600 or http://www.pitt.edu/~summer/.
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| UNDERGRADUATE BULLETIN 1999 - 2002 | [ Previous Page | Table of Contents | Next Page ] |