Science Department Names

Descriptive Overview

Instructional departments offering science classes have had a fairly straightforward descent and relationship at the University of Northern Iowa. The changes in department names over the years have primarily cycled between all-inclusive science departments and departments differentiated into specific sciences.

A Science Department, that included both natural and physical sciences, existed from the foundation of the school in 1876 through 1892. In 1892, in one of the institution's first efforts at curriculum focus and organization, the Science Department divided into a Natural Science Department and a Physical Science Department. That division existed until 1896 when the two departments were combined back into a Science Department. The combined Science Department existed until 1909 when, in another major administrative re-organization plan, it divided into a Natural Science Department and a Physics Department. Four years later, in 1913, the Physics Department became the Physics and Chemistry Department.

These two departments, the Natural Science Department and the Physics and Chemistry Department, existed until 1935 when they were once again combined into a Science Department. This change occured for two reasons. First, it probably saved money during the terrible financial pressures of the Great Depression. And, second, perhaps just as important, 1935 marked the retirement of Professor Louis Begeman, a strong force in faculty matters and the head of the Physics Department and later the Physics and Chemistry Department since 1909.

This large, all-inclusive Science Department existed until 1968, shortly after the institution gained university status. In 1968, the College of Natural Sciences was organized with departments for the individual sciences once again, with the Biology Department, the Chemistry Department, and the Physics and Earth Science Department. (The Mathematics Department and the Industrial Arts and Technology Department were also included in this new College; the history of those department names is recounted elsewhere.) In 1970, the Physics and Earth Science Department divided into the Physics Department and the Earth Science Department.

Science instruction took place in the College of Natural Sciences until the colleges reorganized in 2011. From 2011 onward, they are in the College of Humanities, Arts & Sciences. 

Please note that this information is not always regularly updated, may contain inaccuracies,  and may not be comprehensive. Patrons are encouraged to consult sources directly, and more detailed information about colleges, departments, programs, and other information may be found in the course catalogs. Patrons are always welcome to visit SC&UA or contact SC&UA staff at libarchives@uni.edu about consulting sources directly.

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Chronology

1876-1892
Science

1892-1896
Natural Science
Physical Science

1896-1909
Science

1909-1913
Natural Science
Physics

1913-1935
Natural Science
Physics and Chemistry

1935-1968
Science

1968-70--Organization of the College of Natural Sciences, 1968
Biology, 1968-
Chemistry, 1968 -
Physics and Earth Science, 1968-1970

1970-2016
Biology, 1968-
Chemistry, 1968 -
Physics, 1970-
Earth Science, 1970-

2006-2016
Biology
Chemistry and Biochemistry
Physics
Earth Science

2016-present
Biology
Chemistry and Biochemistry
Physics
Earth and Environmental Science