Science Initiative

Science, in the broadest terms, is the driver behind engineering, technology and industry. Scientific innovation is the cornerstone upon which the economic future of the state of Utah depends. A healthy scientific, engineering, and technological culture requires an educated, scientifically literate citizenry, advanced science and technical training, continued success in attracting the best researchers and teachers to the state, and the development of advanced technical infrastructure to allow them to succeed. The College of Science (CoS) at the University of Utah, recognizing its responsibilities to the state, has launched a Science Initiative to meet these challenges. This Science Initiative consists of several parts:

Science and Mathematics Education

The new Center for Science and Mathematics Education, a joint venture between the Colleges of Science and Education, will be focused on improving entry-level science and mathematics courses, attracting and retaining women and other underrepresented minorities to the sciences, and enhancing the training of K-12 teachers in these fields.

Targeted Strategic Hires of Outstanding Researchers

While all four departments (Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics, and Physics & Astronomy) are strong nationally, the CoS plan calls for each to move into the top 20 among peer departments by attracting the highest caliber researchers, similar to the successful strategy used by USTAR for engineering and applied researchers. We envision two named chairs per department to catalyze continued growth and excellence in fields such as nanoscience, organic electronics, cell genomics, global ecology, astrophysics and astronomy, and advanced materials. These top researchers will both dramatically increase research funding from federal agencies and attract the best junior faculty, post-doctoral researchers, and graduate and undergraduate students.

New Infrastructure for Scientific Research and Education

Enhanced laboratory and educational space is essential to attracting top researchers and engaging our best students. The CoS is developing two significant structures:

  1. Remodel of the Thomas Building. Following the move of the Utah Museum of Natural History from the George Thomas Building on Presidents Circle to Research Park, the Thomas Building will be converted to an innovative Science and Math teaching facility surrounding laboratory research space and an industrial incubator facility. Students will be able to work in an interactive, hands-on environment in close proximity to researchers engaged in the most advanced pure and applied research, while the historic, external architectural aspect of the building will be preserved. For more information on this capital project, please click here.
  2. New Annex for the Henry Eyring Chemistry Building. Thanks to an $8 million NIH grant, the CoS is in the position of adding significant new state-of-the-art research space for the Department of Chemistry. This new addition will update the aging undergraduate teaching laboratories in Chemistry and provide first-rate facilities for vital investigations and for attracting the best researchers to one of the strongest departments on campus. For more information on this capital project, please click here.