About the college

The University of Pittsburgh established the University Honors College (the UHC) in 1986 to meet the special academic and cocurricular needs of its most capable and motivated undergraduates. Building upon the achievements of the University Honors Program, begun in 1978, the Honors College provides increased opportunity, incentives, and recognition for high academic attainment by students.

The UHC is not a membership organization. UHC community activities are open to students throughout the campus. Curricular UHC offerings, such as the UHC courses and the B.Phil. degree opportunity, are available to all Pitt students who have shown sufficient academic performance in prior terms, as discussed below, to undertake them successfully. As a College, the UHC brings undergraduates together with both human and material resources that are often retained at the graduate and faculty levels of a large university.

Academics

Politics and Philosophy

The Politics-Philosophy (P&P) major is designed to provide students with an interdisciplinary training in the conceptual, empirical, and normative foundations of various fields of public policy. It enhances students' understanding of the moral and political complexities of public life, and it gives both empirical and philosophical preparation to students interested in pursuing careers in social and public affairs.

The major is comprised of elements from the Political Science, Philosophy, and Economics Departments, unified under the auspices of the University Honors College (UHC). The major involves a minimum of 51 credits distributed as follows: Political Science, 18 credits; Philosophy, 18 credits; Economics, 9 credits; W-seminars, 6-7 credits; capstone.

Requirements for the Major

Political Science (18 credits) Two introductory/lower-level (numbered under 1000) courses are required along with four advanced/upper-level (numbered 1000 or above) courses. Whenever possible, at least one of the lower-level courses should be a UHC offering. The four upper-level courses are dependent on each student's interest and will be decided upon in consultation with the advisor.

Philosophy (18 credits)

Two lower-level and four upper-level courses are required. PHIL 0500 (Introduction to Logic) is highly recommended as one of the lower-level courses for students preparing for a career in law. The four upper-level courses are dependent on each student's interest and will be decided upon in consultation with the advisor.

Economics (9 credits)

UHC ECON 0120 (Introductory Economic Theory) is recommended as the introductory Economics course. In lieu of this course, students may also choose to take ECON 0100 (Introductory Microeconomic Theory) and ECON 0110 (Introductory Macroeconomic Theory) as introductory courses. The remaining Economics course(s) will be decided upon in consultation with the advisor.

W-Seminar Courses (6-7 credits)

UHC PHIL 0850 (Philosophy and Liberal Democracy, 3 credits) and UHC PS 0650 (Politics and Liberal Democracy, 4 credits) are the recommended W-courses for the major. PHIL 0850 is offered every Fall Term; PS 0650 is offered every other Spring Term. They are not sequential; students may take them in either order. In order to take these courses, students must have a 3.25 QPA, must have fulfilled the General Writing requirement, and they should have completed at least one course in Political Science and Philosophy. Other W-courses may be used to fulfill the Political Science W-seminar requirement with approval from the advisor.

Capstone (variable credits)

In consultation with the advisor, students may opt for one of the following: completion of the Bachelor of Philosophy thesis through the UHC; participation in a graduate-level seminar (with permission of the instructor); or completion of a directed research project, independent study, or internship.

Foundations of Biology

This course will cover biological phenomena at the level of the organism and above, including genetics (classical and molecular), evolution, and ecology. Emphasis will be placed on understanding underlying mechanisms, and every opportunity will be taken to examine the experimental basis on which this understanding rests. Where uncertainty and controversy exist, they will be discussed, both as examples of the way science progresses and as potentially interesting areas for new research. Student level: First or second-year honors students desiring exposure to course content. Students must go to the UHC office (3500 CL) to obtain CRN and permission form before processing their registration at thackeray.

Prerequisite(s): BIOSC 0715 3. Recitation Required. Enrollment Limit: 25. This course is offered at least once a year. To register for a UHC course students must obtain a special permission form from the University Honors College, 3500 Cathedral of Learning. SPEN-designated courses require special enrollment counseling. Check with your advisor.