Associated Job Titles: Laboratory technician, research assistant, science and technical writer, medical and pharmaceutical sales, and project manager.
Curriculum (120 credits)
Many courses are offered in the evenings, on Saturdays, and at off-campus locations. Click here
to check the University schedule of classes for courses offered each term. (Not all courses are offered every term.)
For course schedule and descriptions
For most undergraduate classes offered by the School of Arts and Science, College of General Studies, and College of Business Administrations, visit:
http://www.courses.as.pitt.edu/
A minimum total of 120 credits (approximately 40 courses) are required for a Bachelor of Science degree with a major in Natural Sciences. Of this total, students must take a minimum of 36 credits (approximately 12 courses) according to the specifications on the right. The remaining credits required for the degree are outlined on the "Requirements for the Bachelor's Degree" sheet.
Pre-Education Option
The College of General Studies and the School of Education have collaborated on a concentration in the Natural Sciences major that incorporates the science prerequisite coursework 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 Professional Year or the Master of Arts in Teaching programs offered in the School of Education. Completion of the prerequisites for the School of Education does not guarantee acceptance to their programs. See specific requirements at right.
Pre-Medicine Option
This Natural Science concentration incorporates the coursework needed for admission to most medical and dental programs. Completion does not guarantee acceptance into graduate study. See specific requirements on the back page.
Choose a minimum of 36 credits (approximately 12 courses) from any three departments below. All courses taken must be related to natural sciences.
1. At least five courses must be taken from one department, and at least three courses each should be taken from two other departments.
2. 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
Mathematics (only courses numbered 0220 and above)
Neuroscience
Physics
Psychology (natural sciences related course)
Statistics
Pre-Education Options
Earth and Space Science Concentration (43-46 credits)
ASTRON 0089 or equivalent Stars, Galaxies, and the Cosmos 3 cr
GEOL 0040 Physical Geology 3 cr.
GEOL 0055 Physical Geology Lab 2 cr.
GEOL 0890 Oceanography 3 cr.
GEOL 1000-level Upper Level Geology Elective 3 cr.
GEOL 1000-level Upper Level Geology Elective 3 cr.
CHEM 0110 General Chemistry 1 4 cr.
CHEM 0120 General Chemistry 2 4 cr.
PHYS 0110 Introduction to Physics 1 3 cr.
PHYS 0111 Introduction to Physics 2 3 cr.
PHYS 0212 Introduction to Laboratory Physics 2 cr.
MATH 0220 Analytical Geometry and Calculus 1 4 cr.
General Science Concentration (41 credits)
BIOSC 0150 Foundations in Biology 1 3 cr.
BIOSC 0050 Foundations in Biology 1 Lab 1 cr.
BIOSC 0160 Foundations in Biology 2 3 cr.
BIOSC 0060 Foundations in Biology 2 Lab 1 cr.
BIOSC 1000 Biochemistry 3 cr.
BIOSC 0370 Ecology 3 cr.
CHEM 0110 General Chemistry 1 4 cr.
CHEM 0120 General Chemistry 2 4 cr.
CHEM 0310 Organic Chemistry 3 cr.
PHYS 0110 Introduction to Physics 1 3 cr.
PHYS 0111 Introduction to Physics 2 3 cr.
GEOL 0800 Geology 3 cr.
ASTRON 0089 or equivalent Stars, Galaxies, and the Cosmos 3 cr.
MATH 0220 Analytical Geometry and Calculus 1 4 cr.
Pre-Medicine Option (39 credits)
BIOSC 0150 Foundations of Biology 1 3 cr.
BIOSC 0050 Foundations of Biology 1 Lab 1 cr.
BIOSC 0160 Foundations of Biology 2 3 cr.
BIOSC 0060 Foundations of Biology 2 Lab 1 cr.
BIOSC 1000 Biochemistry 3 cr.
CHEM 0110 General Chemistry 1 4 cr.
CHEM 0120 General Chemistry 2 4 cr.
CHEM 0310 Organic Chemistry 1 3 cr.
CHEM 0330 Organic Chemistry 1 Lab 1 cr.
CHEM 0320 Organic Chemistry 2 3 cr.
CHEM 0340 Organic Chemistry 2 Lab 1 cr.
MATH 0220 Analytic Geometry and Calculus 1 4 cr.
PHYS 0110 Introduction to Physics 1 3 cr.
PHYS 0111 Introduction to Physics 2 3 cr.
PHYS 0212 Introduction to Laboratory Physics 2 cr.
Additional Recommended courses for this option:
BIOSC 1850 Microbiology 3 cr.
MATH 0230 Analytic Geometry and Calculus 2 4 cr.
NROSCI 1000 Introduction to Neuroscience 3 cr.
NROSCI 1070 Human Physiology 4 cr.
Requirements subject to change. Check with an academic consultant before registering.
Payment plans
MasterCard and American Express are accepted for tuition payment.
If employed, check with your company's human resources office to see if you qualify for company tuition benefits.
Deferred tuition payment plans are available for participants who wish to extend tuition payments over a longer period of time.
The University of Pittsburgh is an affirmative action, equal opportunity institution.
download pdf