University of Pittsburgh Honors College

Infobox University
name = University of Pittsburgh Honors College


image_size =150
established = 1986
type = Public
head_label = Dean
head = G. Alec Stewart
city = Pittsburgh
state = Pennsylvania
country = USA
campus = Oakland (Main)
undergrad = 350
free_label =
free =
colors =

homepage = [http://www.honorscollege.pitt.edu/index.html]

The University of Pittsburgh Honors College (termed the "Honors College" by students and often abbreviated UHC) is an undergraduate program of advanced study at the Oakland campus of the University of Pittsburgh in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States. Founded in 1986, the Honors College, rather than being a discrete institution, such as a school of business or nursing, offers more challenging undergraduate classes across a wide variety of academic disciplinesUniversity of Pittsburgh Honors College Website, Overview, [http://www.honorscollege.pitt.edu/about/index.html] . Accessed May 25, 2007.] . Rather than applying for admission to the UHC and then taking classes solely within it, students apply for permission to take certain UHC classes one at a time, although there are academic eligibility requirements.

History

Although founded as a separate institution by the University of Pittsburgh in 1986, the UHC has its origins in the University Honors Program, which began in 1978University of Pittsburgh Honors College Website, History and Philosophy, [http://www.honorscollege.pitt.edu/about/inception.html] . Accessed May 25, 2007.] . The program was spearheaded by the current dean of the Honors College, G. Alec Stewart. Throughout its history, the University Honors College has never been a membership organization; students are invited to participate in the Honors College on a course by course basis. The UHC has expanded over the years to offer between 70 and 80 courses each year as well as a specialized "Living Learning Community," which aimed to house students taking UHC-offered courses in the same dormitories. The first-year University Honors College Living Learning Community was located in Litchfield Towers until the 2006-2007 school year [University of Pittsburgh 2006-2007 Residential Handbook, pg. 25.] , after which it was moved to Forbes HallUniversity of Pittsburgh Honors College Website, Honors Housing. [http://www.honorscollege.pitt.edu/housing/index.html] . Accessed May 25, 2007.] . Living Learning Communities for older students had been maintained in McCormick and Forbes-Craig Halls, but after the 2006-2007 school year, only the Forbes-Craig community will remain. The UHC Living Learning Communities together house approximately 350 students. The Honors College also publishes the "Pittsburgh Undergraduate Review", a refereed nationally published undergraduate academic journal founded in 1980. [cite web
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title = About PUR
work = Pittsburgh Undergraduate Review
publisher =
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url = http://www.pur.honorscollege.pitt.edu/about.php
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accessdate = 2008-08-27]

Academic Offerings

The University of Pittsburgh Honors College offers a wide variety of undergraduate courses each semester, from introductory courses to upper-level seminarsUniversity of Pittsburgh Honors College Website, Academics. [http://www.honorscollege.pitt.edu/courses/index.html] . Accessed May 25, 2007.] . In offering its courses, the UHC focuses on providing small class sizes (usually restricted to 18 or fewer students), and faculty who must present detailed course proposals before teaching classes. This is done to ensure that UHC courses continue to focus on in-depth examination of course material rather than an accelerated program which would cover more ground.

The University Honors College also offers students the opportunity to earn the Bachelor in Philosophy degree, which is not related to the study of philosophyUniversity of Pittsburgh Honors College Website, BPhil description. [http://www.honorscollege.pitt.edu/bphil/index.html] . Accessed May 25, 2007.] . The degree is instead awarded jointly through the UHC and any of the University of Pittsburgh's other undergraduate programs in recognition of a rigorous course of study and ends with an undergraduate thesis. The University Honors College has had the authority to award such a degree since 1987.

Location

The University Honors College is housed on the 35th and 36th floors of the Cathedral of Learning. In 2002-2003, a renovation to the Honors College's space was completed by Rothschild Doyno Collaborative of Pittsburgh's Strip District. The four-leaf medieval quatrefoil medallion at the top of the Cathedral is a central motif in the design of Honors College. Stained glass behind the reception desk at the center of the space was design by Glenn Greene Glass of Regent Square and centers on a design representing the four seasons, done in polished agate. Wrought ironwork was produced by Vic Reynaud of Technique Manufacturing in the spirit of Samuel Yellin who did the Commons Room ironwork. [http://www.honorscollege.pitt.edu/about/architecture.html]

See also

* Pittsburgh Undergraduate Review - UHC's undergraduate academic jounal

References

External links

* [http://www.honorscollege.pitt.edu/index.html Main Page] University of Pittsburgh Honors College Main Page.
* [http://www.honorscollege.pitt.edu/courses/uhc-courses.html UHC Course offerings] A listing of UHC course offerings in recent past and future semesters with instructors.
* [http://www.pur.honorscollege.pitt.edu/index.php "Pittsburgh Undergraduate Review"]