Founded in 1996 through the generous assistance of the Heinz Endowments, the Environmental Studies (ES) program houses the ES major, which is one of the most successful interdisciplinary majors at the University of Pittsburgh. Students may take classes in six different schools and a myriad of departments within the University. A full-time program coordinator helps ES students choose classes and plan for internships, field experiences, as well as career and post-baccalaureate goals.
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. The University of Pittsburgh is a member of the Association of American Universities, a prestigious organization of the 60 most respected research universities in North America. .
Apply to the Environmental Studies Program
Opportunities
Students are drawn to environmental studies for a variety of reasons—some for its breadth and diversity, while others choose ES simply because they love the outdoors. But inevitably, the question arises: what can I do with this degree? The answer relies on your interests and ambitions, and the kinds of electives you take. For instance, students can focus on:
Practical/technical: Students involved in geographic information systems (GIS) can collect and use data to create computerized, visual representations of the physical world—in present form as well as using models to depict how changes might affect the environment over time. Other students learn laboratory techniques and monitoring systems, and even gain hazardous-waste (HAZWOPER) training.
Policy-driven: Internships with local governmental, research, and advocacy groups give students a chance to interact with policymakers and regulators; other students work with companies and environmental consulting firms in assessments and monitoring. Courses in nonprofit management and environmental law focus on the issues faced by environmental groups, corporations, governmental agencies, and the public, as well as ethical/political issues, such as environmental justice.
Natural world: In addition to core courses in biology, chemistry, geology, and geochemistry, environmental studies students can take electives in ecology, sedimentology, paleoclimatology, and limnology (study of lakes and other bodies of fresh water). More importantly, students can choose field courses to match their interests, or combine their field work in geology and ecology with seminars in public policy. And because Pitt is a research university, students also have the chance to work with professors in the laboratory setting or in the field.
For more information regarding the Environmental Studies Program, please contact:
202 Space Research Coordination Center
4107 O’Hara Street Pittsburgh, PA 15260
MJC@pitt.edu
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