The University of Pittsburgh announced it is launching a new undergraduate degree in Natural Gas, Renewables and Oil Engineering (GRO), designed to prepare the next generation of engineers to deliver comprehensive energy solutions. By combining traditional oil and gas engineering with renewable systems across the Swanson School of Engineering’s diverse academic and research portfolios in energy, the program ensures graduates can adapt as global energy demands evolve.
“Industry and society are at a pivot point as our energy portfolio adapts to a complex balance of components, whether traditional oil and natural gas to solar, wind, biomass, hydroelectric or geothermal,” said Robert Enick, professor and vice chair of research who led the program design. “We developed a hands-on program that meets current needs while future-proofing our graduates’ careers, enabling them to move seamlessly between industries.”
The new program will be offered through the Swanson School’s Department of Chemical and Petroleum Engineering, which created the world’s first petroleum engineering program in 1910. Pitt alumni across the energy industry also contributed to its development, highlighting the urgent need to modernize traditional approaches while expanding renewable energy education. GRO is the first undergraduate petroleum engineering degree program in the country to combine traditional natural gas and oil components with an extensive suite of courses related to renewables.
The curriculum combines core courses in geology, chemistry, drilling and production with eight required renewable energy courses. Topics include solar, wind, hydro, biofuels, energy storage (e.g. batteries), subsurface decarbonization, hydraulic fracturing and underground CO2 disposal.
“Students will benefit from Pitt’s 180-year history in energy education while also gaining real-world experience through research, study abroad and industry internships or co-ops,” said Michele V. Manuel, U. S. Steel Dean of Engineering. “The Swanson School is the only engineering program with a legacy of leadership in energy that is ready to introduce such a novel curriculum. This blend of tradition and innovation will make graduates highly competitive in the global job market.”
Indeed, engineers with these qualifications continue to enjoy high job demand and earning potential, as well as the ability to make a global difference, especially as developing nations seek new energy resources. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), employment of engineers with these qualifications is projected to grow through 2034, with a median annual wage above $141,000.
Recruitment begins in 2026, with the first cohort starting next fall. The program will undergo ABET accreditation review for petroleum engineering in 2029 after the first GRO seniors graduate.
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