Introduction

The University of Pittsburgh (commonly referred to as Pitt) is a state-related research university located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

The university is composed of 17 undergraduate and graduate schools and colleges located at its urban Pittsburgh campus, home to the university's central administration and 28,766 undergraduate, graduate, and professional students. The university also includes four undergraduate schools located at campuses within Western Pennsylvania: Bradford, Greensburg, Johnstown, and Titusville. The 132-acre Pittsburgh campus has multiple contributing historic buildings of the Schenley Farms Historic District, most notably its 42-story Gothic revival centerpiece, the Cathedral of Learning. The campus is situated adjacent to the flagship medical facilities of its closely affiliated University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC), as well as the Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh, Schenley Park, and Carnegie Mellon University.

Academics

Throughout its history, Pitt has been committed to a liberal arts education with a well-rounded curriculum in the arts, sciences, and humanities. Pitt has an increasing emphasis on undergraduate research experience and for providing real-world opportunities such as co-ops and internships. Undergraduate degrees can be earned as Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science, and Bachelor of Philosophy. Along with providing certificate programs, graduate level master's, professional, and doctoral degrees are also awarded. Pitt has also initiated a University-wide Outside the Classroom Curriculum (OCC) that includes a structured series of extracurricular programs and experiences designed to complement students' academic studies and help develop personal attributes and professional skills. Students who complete the OCC requirements receive an OCC "transcript" and a green cord of distinction to wear at commencement.

The freshman level entry schools include the Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences, the College of Business Administration, the Swanson School of Engineering, and the School of Nursing.

In its 2016 rankings, U.S. News  World Report ranked Pitt 24th in comparison to other public universities in the United States and tied for 66th among all nationaluniversities. Princeton Review placed Pitt among its "Best Value Public Colleges".

Notable alumni

Geri Allen, jazz composer, educator, and pianist

Hervey Allen, author best known for Anthony Adverse

Joseph Bathanti, poet, writer, professor; NC Poet Laureate, 2012ndash;2014

Peter Beagle, Hugo Award-winning fantasist and author of novels, nonfiction, and screenplays

Steven Adams, NBA starting center for the Oklahoma City Thunder

Kevan Barlow, NFL football player for the San Francisco 49ers

DeJuan Blair, power forward for the Dallas Mavericks; consensus first-team basketball All-American in 2008ndash;09

Walter Arnheim, Mobil Oil executive, corporate and non-profit advisor

Susan Arnold, Vice Chairman of PG, ranked 10th among the 50 most powerful women in business by Fortune

George Barco, cable television executive who played a key role in development of the industry

Yolanda Barco, cable television executive

Ruggero J. Aldisert, Judge on the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit; adjunct professor at University of Pittsburgh School of Law

Eugene Atkinson, Member of the House of Representatives from Pennsylvania

Jane A. Cauley, epidemiologist, University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute

John Choma, Professor and Chair of Electrical Engineering-Electrophysics at the University of Southern California

Bob Colwell, electrical engineer who was the chief architect on the Pentium Pro, Pentium II, Pentium III, and Pentium 4 microprocessors