Studying Life Sciences at Pitt The School of Arts and Sciences (A&S) houses a variety of majors in the biological and environmental sciences for Pitt students. The Department of Biological Sciences offers Bachelor of Science degrees in the following five majors: Bioinformatics Biological Sciences Ecology & Evolution Microbiology Molecular Biology The department of Biological Sciences maintains the Pymatuning Laboratory of Ecology in northwest Pennsylvania. It is the University's ecological teaching and research field station and one of the largest inland field stations in the United States. It is located within the 30,000-acre Pymatuning State Park Wildlife Sanctuary which includes a 17,000-acre lake and thousands of acres of wetlands and forest managed as a wildlife refuge and propagation area by the Pennsylvania Game Commission. Interested and qualified undergraduates can spend six to eight weeks of their summer at the field station assisting with on-going research projects for credit. Pitt's Department of Neuroscience is one of the few in the country which offers an undergraduate neuroscience major. With over 140 undergraduates, it is also one of the largest. The department focuses on the study of how biological processes and the nervous system affect behavior. The Department of Geology offers three majors: Geology Environmental Geology Environmental Studies The geology major gives you a broad and deep understanding of how the Earth works. It includes the history of the Earth, how to tell geologic time, and how to identify and use minerals and their chemistry. Environmental geology combines the study of the scientific aspects of ecology with the social and public policy issues that impact the environment--how can you save the rain forests if you do not understand why they are being cut down? The interdisciplinary environmental studies major allows students to design their own program around a core set of classes. No matter what your intended major, the courses you take here at Pitt offer lectures, labs, seminars, and field research. Undergraduate Research Motivated undergraduates, as early as their sophomore year, can choose to work in a professor's lab doing current research. Some students spend three years with the same professor making a particular research project their own, even publishing papers. Undergraduate research is usually done for credit; however, there are many departmental and university fellowships available which provide stipends. Due to the unique relationship Pitt has with the surrounding medical centers and the Carnegie Museum, students can also find opportunities to do research at these institutions. Internships There are hundreds of different internship opportunities available for science majors. The University of Pittsburgh Medical Center Health System is located within walking distance of campus and has many positions open to undergraduate students. Internships are done for credit. However, many employers also provide a salary to their interns. By combining classroom learning with practical lab and field work, Pitt's graduates can prepare to meet the demands of today's employers. Many of Pitt's graduates choose to go on to professional schools or to graduate school in their chosen major. A Pitt Pre-Med Advantage In addition, studying biological sciences at Pitt is ideal for pre-med students. The University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine is one of the top rated schools in the country. The coursework for a biological sciences major covers most medical school requirements. Not only is the coursework for a biological sciences major the same as the medical school requirements but also, outstanding applicants who indicate an interest in pre-medicine on their undergraduate application can be considered for guaranteed admission to Pitt's medical school upon graduation! The University Honors College The University Honors College (UHC) offers a number of courses in the biological sciences. The UHC courses are not intended to be more advanced than regularly offered courses. However, they are designed to be more challenging and give you a more in-depth perspective on the subject matter. UHC courses usually are smaller and are more like seminars than lectures. The UHC offers a Bachelor of Philosophy degree which requires students to do an independent research project and defend their thesis in front of a faculty review panel.