Requirements
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 the minimum course credits required for their track, according to the specifications below. See our General Education program page for the remaining degree requirements.
Natural Sciences Standard (Multi-Disciplinary) Major: (36 credits)
Choose a minimum of 36 credits (approximately 11-12 courses, not including labs) from two to four departments below. All courses taken must be related to natural sciences and selected in consultation with your CGS advisor. At least five courses must be taken from one department, which provides a disciplinary base. The other courses should be selected based on your professional and academic goals and approved by your academic advisor.
Students admitted under the new eligibility requirements for Spring 2020 must have an overall 3.25 GPA at time of admission into this track.
Pre-Medicine Option
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 Pitt Interprofessional Center for Health Careers (PIC Health Careers). Night sections of biology, chemistry, and physics courses are available, with seats reserved specifically for CGS students.
Students must have a 3.50 GPA to be admitted into the Pre-Medicine(/Pre-PA) track in the Natural Sciences major.
Pre-Physician Assistant (PA) Option
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. The pre-PA option incorporates the prerequisite course work necessary for application to the PA program. Completion of the pre-PA plan does not guarantee admission. For a full list of admission requirements, visit the School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences PA program website. Note: Requirements for other PA programs from schools other than the University of Pittsburgh may differ. Please consult their respective websites for specific admission requirements.
Students must have a 3.50 GPA to be admitted into the Pre-Medicine(/Pre-PA) track in the Natural Sciences major.
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 Science Education - Master of Arts in Teaching offered in the School of Education. Completion of the prerequisite requirements does not guarantee admission. Note: The School of Education also recommends at least a 3.0 cumulative undergraduate GPA for all of their teacher certificate programs. Please consult their Admissions page for program-specific requirements.
Students must have a 3.25 GPA to be admitted under the new eligibility requirements for this track beginning in Spring 2020.
Course Format
Many CGS programs offer a blend of face-to-face and flexible online class formats, all designed to meet our students' needs and schedule constraints. When considering what subjects to study in the Natural Sciences Standard track, click here to view what courses are available online and visit CGS Courses to learn more about our flexible offerings and how to search for classes in the course catalog.
Pre-Medicine, Pre-PA, and Pre-Education options: Available online courses are marked with an (●). Courses offered in both face-to-face and online formats are marked with an (#). Courses with no indicator are offered face-to-face only.
