BS Engineering in Natural Gas, Renewables, & Oil Engineering at University of Pittsburgh

Programme overview

The Natural Gas, Renewables, and Oil Engineering (GRO) programme prepares engineers for careers in extracting and transforming oil and natural gas into energy and other resources while preparing for the transition to renewables. It includes seven mandatory renewable energy engineering courses.

Faculty: Swanson School of Engineering | Department: Chemical and Petroleum Engineering | Location: Pittsburgh, PA, United States

What you will study

Geology, mathematics, chemistry, ethics and economics; drilling of wells and release of trapped oil and gas; control of flow to the surface; surface equipment design. Required renewable courses include Solar Energy Engineering, Biomass and Biofuels Engineering, Wind and Hydro Energy Engineering and Energy Storage and Chemical Transformations. A senior capstone covers technical, environmental and economic aspects of producing oil from a rock formation.

Career pathways

Chemical-engineering-type roles in energy; page cites BLS median annual wage above $121,000 and steady projected job growth through 2034. Co-op and internship opportunities with companies.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

First-year undergraduate applicants: University first-year applicants (all undergraduate programmes at the Pittsburgh campus): application via the University of Pittsburgh Application or Common Application, $55 application fee, self-reported academic record (STARS; waived for international high-school students, who may have official transcripts reviewed), SAT or ACT optional (test-optional through Fall 2028; highest ACT composite or SAT superscore considered if submitted), personal statement required for scholarship consideration, rolling admission; applications completed by December 1 are considered automatically for university scholarships.

Requirements published at program group level.

Domestic applicants: USD 23,954 a year (2026-27). Pennsylvania-resident undergraduate tuition for the Swanson School of Engineering, Pittsburgh campus, full-time two terms (fall and spring). Tuition only; mandatory fees, housing and other expenses are listed separately and excluded. Source

International applicants: USD 47,312 a year (2026-27). Out-of-state (non-PA resident) undergraduate tuition for the Swanson School of Engineering, Pittsburgh campus, full-time two terms (fall and spring); Pitt charges non-PA residents the out-of-state rate. Tuition only; mandatory fees, housing and other expe Source

First-year entry for Fall 2027 is open; the University operates on rolling admission with no set application deadline. Fall term begins August 23 and spring term begins January 10 for the admitted first-year cycle shown.

Transfer students may apply for fall, spring and summer terms (Swanson School of Engineering also lists Fall, Spring and Summer entry; Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, Education and Pharmacy are Fall only).

First-year applicants apply with the University of Pittsburgh Application or the Common Application (neither is preferred); the application fee is $55. There is no set deadline (rolling admission). The STARS self-reported academic record is required for first-year applicants except international students.

The SAT/ACT is optional: the test-optional policy runs through fall 2028 for first-year and transfer applicants, including international and homeschool applicants. Proof of English proficiency is required from international students.

International first-year applicants for fall who complete their application before February 1 are automatically reviewed for international student scholarships; international undergraduate applicants must apply by April 1 for fall and summer entry and by October 1 for spring entry.

Transfer applications are on rolling admission in the Dietrich School, Business, General Studies and Public Health (recommended complete by July 30 for fall and December 1 for spring; international deadlines May 1 fall, October 1 spring, February 15 summer). Swanson Engineering: Fall July 30, Spring December 1, Summer April 1 (international May 1, October 1, February 15). Nursing: Fall April 1, Spring November 1 (international Fall April 1, Spring October 1). Computing and Information: Fall early March 1, final May 1 international and June 15 domestic, Spring October 1, Summer February 1. Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, and Education programmes: Fall only, March 1 priority deadline. Pharmacy applies through PharmCAS.

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