College of Computer, Mathematical, and Natural Sciences
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| College of Computer, Mathematical, and Natural Sciences | |
|---|---|
| Name | College of Computer, Mathematical, and Natural Sciences |
| Established | 1859 |
| Type | Public |
| Dean | Amitabh Varshney |
| Parent | University of Maryland, College Park |
| City | College Park, Maryland |
| Country | United States |
College of Computer, Mathematical, and Natural Sciences. It is the scientific core of the University of Maryland, College Park, tracing its origins to the university's founding in 1859. The college consolidates fundamental disciplines that drive modern scientific inquiry and technological innovation. It is a major research hub within the University System of Maryland and a key contributor to the Washington metropolitan area's technology corridor.
History
The college's roots are entwined with the establishment of the Maryland Agricultural College, which later evolved into the University of Maryland, College Park. Early scientific instruction was centered on agriculture and engineering. A significant transformation occurred in the 1990s, leading to the merger of the former College of Computer, Mathematical, and Physical Sciences with the College of Life Sciences. This reorganization, championed by then-university president William Kirwan and NSF-supported administrators, created a unified structure for the natural sciences. The college was subsequently renamed in 2010 to better reflect its integrated scope spanning computer science, mathematics, and the life sciences.
Departments and programs
The college is organized into several academic departments, including the Department of Computer Science, the Department of Mathematics, and the Department of Physics. Life sciences are represented by units such as the Department of Biology, the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, and the Department of Cell Biology and Molecular Genetics. It also houses interdisciplinary institutes like the Institute for Physical Science and Technology and the University of Maryland Institute for Advanced Computer Studies. The college offers numerous undergraduate majors, M.S., and Ph.D. programs, with many students conducting research at affiliated centers like the Joint Quantum Institute and the Earth System Science Interdisciplinary Center.
Research and facilities
Research activity is extensive and frequently conducted in partnership with federal agencies and national laboratories. Key partners include the National Institutes of Health, the National Institute of Standards and Technology, and NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center. The college manages major facilities such as the Maryland NanoCenter and the Center for Scientific Computation and Mathematical Modeling. Faculty and students have access to resources at the Advanced Research Computing at Maryland center and are involved in projects at the Johns Hopkins University-affiliated Applied Physics Laboratory. Groundbreaking work occurs in areas like quantum computing, climate modeling, genomics, and cybersecurity.
Notable faculty and alumni
The college has been associated with numerous distinguished scientists and leaders. Nobel laureates affiliated with the college include Raymond Davis Jr. and John C. Mather. Other renowned faculty have included physicist Sylvester James Gates and computer science pioneer Ben Shneiderman. Prominent alumni span diverse fields, such as NASA astronaut Judith Resnik, Google co-founder Sergey Brin, and The Weather Channel founder John Coleman. Additional notable graduates include National Academy of Sciences member Joanna Fowler and former NSA director Michael S. Rogers.
Rankings and reputation
The college's programs are consistently highly ranked. Its computer science program is often placed among the top nationally by publishers like U.S. News & World Report. The Department of Physics is recognized for its strength in quantum physics and condensed matter theory, frequently collaborating with the Joint Quantum Institute. The college is classified among "R1: Doctoral Universities – Very high research activity" and is a leading recipient of research funding from the National Science Foundation and the Department of Defense. Its reputation is bolstered by its proximity to and partnerships with major federal science agencies in the Washington, D.C. region.