University of Pittsburgh
AC-3: Undergraduate Program

Founded in 1996, Pitt's Environmental Studies (ES) Program has become one of the most successful interdisciplinary majors at the University of Pittsburgh. Students may take classes in six different schools and myriad departments within the University. Graduates have been awarded both local and national awards—including prestigious Udall and Truman scholarships—and have gone on to careers in government, industry, advocacy, enforcement, education, law, and international policy.

Undergraduate students majoring in environmental engineering are exposed to an excellent environmental engineering curriculum and gain skills that will enable them to tackle increasingly complex and rapidly evolving technological problems in environmental engineering. The Environmental Engineering major produces environmental engineers who will be prepared to pursue a professional licensure in Environmental Engineering and address future challenges in environmental engineering practice; pursue graduate study in environmental engineering; or pursue a career in business, law or policy with a strong focus on the environment.

In such a rapidly changing world, Pitt's Urban Studies major enables students to explore the fascinating complexities of urban environments, in the U.S. and internationally, to understand the complex problems associated with urban growth, urban sustainability, and to appreciate the experiences of urban residents.

The Urban Studies major is:

- Interdisciplinary, encouraging students to learn about how urban areas are the consequence of historical, social, cultural, economic, and political processes. Many Urban Studies majors are double majors in other departments, where your understanding of urbanization and urbanism enriches the content of departments including Economics, Environmental Science, History, Political Science, and History of Art & Architecture.

- Applied, as students and faculty work together to engage in research and classwork that can positively impact our communities of concern. All Urban Studies majors take courses that include significant interaction with communities in Pittsburgh and beyond.

- Career-oriented, as students attempt to find a role for themselves in shaping the future of the urban environment. All Urban Studies majors participate in experiences that reflect their career interests and abilities.

Architectural Studies (BA, Preservation Track or Preservation Minor)
- https://catalog.upp.pitt.edu/preview_program.php? catoid=72&poid=23189

Architecture (BS)
- https://www.arch.pitt.edu/current-incoming-students/bs-architecture

Environmental Science(BS)
- https://www.geology.pitt.edu/environmental-science-bs

Environmental Studies (BA)
- https://www.geology.pitt.edu/environmental-studies-ba

Environmental Engineering
- https://www.engineering.pitt.edu/environmental/

Literature (Concentration in Environment, Science, and Culture)
- http://www.englishlit.pitt.edu/undergraduate/major-requirements

Sociology (Thematic Clusters in Social Movements / Inequality; The Helping Professions; or Health, Environment, & Technology)
- https://www.sociology.pitt.edu/undergraduate/areas-study

Urban Studies (with Concentrations for Community Organization or Urban Policy) https://www.urbanstudies.pitt.edu/program/concentrations"

Pitt's Undergraduate Certificate in Sustainability provides undergraduates the opportunity to enhance their education by including sustainability in their course of study. The Sustainability Certificate transcends existing Schools and Departments at the University of Pittsburgh, capitalizes on ongoing Sustainability-growth opportunities in teaching and research, and utilizes the framework of the Mascaro Center for Sustainable Innovation (MCSI) to execute the certificate.

The objectives of the Undergraduate Sustainability Certificate are:
- To develop the basic competencies needed by science, engineering, and humanities graduates to contribute quickly and effectively to the development and ultimate use of sustainable technologies, science, and practices in the U.S. and abroad.
- To create opportunities for undergraduates to develop analytical skills and to learn to think critically about sustainability.
- To provide undergraduates the opportunity to seamlessly incorporate sustainability into their course of study.
- To create a benchmark education program that can serve as a model throughout academia.

The Engineering for Humanity certificate is open to all undergraduate students and both guides and formalizes student participation in engineering projects in which social and/or environmental sustainability is a core thrust. Moreover, the certificate program addresses the significance of cultural, political, and business forces in rapid and effective penetration of new technologies. This certificate will allow students to earn credit for service learning projects. Students have the option of pursuing either a U.S. or international track.

The certificate embodies significant flexibility, with only 2 of 5 courses being explicitly defined, so participating students may tailor course work to their region and topic of interest. It is expected that with appropriate planning, at least two of the courses will align with departmental BS graduation requirements.

The Global Studies Health and Well-Being Certificate explores the relationship between global health, social suffering, and the processes that connect and divide people around the world. Students might study how globalization affects people’s susceptibility to physical and mental illnesses, their access to appropriate kinds of care and, more broadly, their well-being (enjoyment of a healthy, secure, and satisfying life) and capacity for “living well” (belonging to a community in which people live harmoniously with one another and with nature).

UNDERGRADUATE CERTIFICATES
• Business, Leadership & Ethics, https://cba.pitt.edu/academics/certificates/certificate-program-in-leadership-and-ethics-cple/
• Engineering for Humanity, https://www.engineering.pitt.edu/MCSI/EfHCertificate/
• Global Studies, Sustainable Development & Ecology
• Global Studies, Health & Wellbeing, https://www.ucis.pitt.edu/global/undergraduate-programs-certificate
• Global Studies, Peace, Conflict, & Security, https://www.ucis.pitt.edu/global/undergraduate-programs-certificate
• Sustainability, https://www.engineering.pitt.edu/MCSI/Sustainability-Certificate/

UNDERGRADUATE MAJORS & MINORS
• Architectural Studies (BA, Preservation Track or Preservation Minor)
• Architecture (BS)
• Environmental Science(BS)
• Environmental Studies (BA)
• Environmental Engineering
• Literature (Concentration in Environment, Science, and Culture)
• Sociology (Thematic Clusters in Social Movements / Inequality; The Helping Professions; or Health, Environment, & Technology)
• Urban Studies (with Concentrations for Community Organization or Urban Policy)

Learn more about all of these offerings: https://www.sustainable.pitt.edu/what-pitt-is-doing/education-research/

SUSTAINABILITY TRANSCRIPT DISTINCTION
Starting in January 2021, the University of Pittsburgh began offering a new interdisciplinary Sustainability Transcript Distinction. These distinctions provide students a credential to communicate the strategies behind their academic courses and high impact activities outside the classroom. In this manner, students learn to translate their knowledge into practical applications and are prepared to communicate these experiences to a broad audience. Initial offerings include a Global Distinction, an Honors Distinction, and a Sustainability Distinction (learn more below). An Applied Creativity Distinction is also in development.

Learn more: https://www.personaled.pitt.edu/sustainability-distinction