College of Science

Departments

• Biological Sciences
  The Department of Biological Sciences is a popular launching point to jobs and post-graduate studies. In 2011, Biological Sciences had the highest percentage of female students in the College of Science at 57 percent.

  • Bio Prof. Peter Hollenbeck is a 2013 Murphy Award winner. The Murphy is the highest faculty award at Purdue.
  • Bio researchers make important discoveries in the fight against the dengue virus.
• Chemistry
  Chemistry is a rapidly changing science. The strong commitment to research excellence at Purdue results in a faculty who are at the leading edge of this change and constantly revise their courses to keep up with the latest advances in our understanding of chemistry.

  • See Nobel Prize-winning Prof. Ei-Ichi Negishi's bio from the Big Ten Network.
  • Did you know? Purdue's first graduate was from Chemistry.
• Computer Science
  Celebrating its 50th year, Computer Science at Purdue is one of the oldest and best CS programs in the nation. Despite its longevity, CS is centered in the new, state of the art Lawson Computer Science Building.

  • Learn about the storied history of Purdue's Computer Science department.
  • CS recently announced Sunil Prabhakar as the new department head.
• Earth, Atmospheric, and Planetary
  In the Department of Earth, Atmospheric, and Planetary Sciences, students research and explore why weather happens and how to predict it. This diverse major also includes paleontology and the study of earthquakes and plate tectonics. Natural disasters are explained and fossils are put under the microscope.

  • Get EAPS-fueled weather data here.
  • Read how and why EAPS analyzed Martian moon data.
• Mathematics
  The Department of Mathematics has different specializations - from Business Math to Applied Mathematics, Operations Research to Core Mathematics - led by stellar faculty whose numbers help keep class sizes low, allowing for a great deal of personal attention. Purdue Math graduates have gone on to careers in programming, actuarial work, software engineering, insurance and finance.

  • Math Prof. Johnny E. Brown wins Best Professor in The Exponent's 2013 Readers' Choice Awards.
  • Purdue showed well at the 2012 Conference for African-American Mathematicians.
• Physics
  The recent discovery of the Higgs boson had some major assistance from the Department of Physics at Purdue. This major discovery has brought momentum to the field as well as the Department of Physics at Purdue, where students can make their own discoveries in astrophysics, high energy physics, geophysics, nanophysics, nuclear physics, sensor technology, biophysics and more.

  • Nobel-winning NASA physicst revealed details on new space telescope during Purdue visit.
  • Physics Outreach brings interactive exhibits to kids.
• Statistics
  Purdue's Department of Statistics ranks as one of the largest statistics programs in the nation. In the past five years, the department's student population more than doubled.

  • Meet the faculty and get to know their research specialties via video.
  • Meet a recent Statistics graduate who is excelling in the professional world.