University of Utah College of Science

College of Science at the University of Utah

The College of Science is located on the North West section of the University of Utah campus, with buildings on the North and South sides of Presidents Circle.
Type	Public
Established	1970
Dean	Henry S. White
Academic staff	171
Undergraduates	2,067
Postgraduates	525
Location	Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
Affiliations	University of Utah
Website	www.science.utah.edu

The College of Science at the University of Utah is an academic college of the University of Utah in Salt Lake City, Utah. The college offers undergraduate and graduate degrees in biology, chemistry, mathematics, and physics.

Science has been a part for the University of Utah curriculum since the beginning of the schools's history in 1850 as the University of Deseret. Dr. Cyrus Collins was initially the only professor and taught mainly in the sciences. During the second quarter, W.W. Phelps was hired as a second professor and the school was opened to women. New scientific instruments were acquired from local donors or sent for from the eastern United States. The third professor hired at the University was Orson Pratt, who taught astronomy, mathematics, and algebra. The University then closed during a period of scarcity due to crop failures and drought, and reopened in 1967. A science curriculum culminating in a B.S degree was offered in 1870, becoming a 4-year degree in 1884-85.  This curriculum focused on mathematics, natural, and physical sciences, as well as classes in history, political economy, theology and moral philosophy.  

In 1878, Joseph T. Kingsbury joined the chemistry faculty and became chair of chemistry and physics. By this period a regular series of public science lectures were offered and there was a chemical laboratory located in the basement of the University Hall building. By the 1890s, 400 students were enrolled and the University offered BA and BS degrees in classical, scientific, and normal programs. The University of Deseret was renamed as the University of Utah in 1892 and degree programs in the traditional academic departments of letters, arts, and sciences were organized under the University College. In 1957, the University College became the College of Letters and Science under dean and philosophy professor Sterling M. McMurrin. In 1970 under dean Milton Voight, the College of Letters and Science was divided into three separate colleges: the College of Humanities, the College of Science, and the College of Social and Behavioral Science.