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Oregon State Science: Pillars of Discovery

Exploring the Frontiers of Knowledge at OSU's College of Science.

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About the College

Institutional Overview

The Oregon State University College of Science is a distinguished public academic institution, operating as an integral part of Oregon State University. It is a leading public research university dedicated to advancing scientific knowledge and educating future leaders.

Academic Scope and Reach

The college comprises seven academic schools, offering a robust curriculum with nine undergraduate programs. It actively supports seven doctoral-granting and eight master's degree-granting programs. Furthermore, it provides essential foundational science courses required by students across various other science-focused colleges within the university.

Faculty and Student Distinction

With over 3,400 students and a dedicated faculty of 184, the College of Science fosters a vibrant academic community. Notably, sixteen faculty members have been elected as fellows of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), underscoring the college's commitment to research excellence.

Impact and Innovation

Since its establishment, the college has secured over $55 million in grant funding. It has been instrumental in developing more than 48 new technologies and has been awarded 18 U.S. patents since 2011, showcasing its significant contributions to scientific innovation and discovery.

A Legacy of Scientific Inquiry

Foundational Roots

The College of Science was formally established in 1932 as the Oregon State University School of Science, following a statewide reorganization of higher education. However, the university's engagement with science education dates back to its inception in 1868, offering foundational courses in general science, chemistry, and geology.

Pioneering Doctoral Education

In 1935, OSU awarded its first doctoral degrees, with three of the four recipients hailing from the College of Science. Notable early graduates include Herbert L. Jones (Physics), Alfred Taylor (Zoology), and Karl Klemm (Chemistry). The first woman to earn a Ph.D. from OSU was Chung Kwai Lui in Physics in 1941, who later made significant contributions to the Manhattan Project.

Evolution and Renaming

The institution evolved significantly over the decades. In 1974, the School of Science was officially renamed the Oregon State University College of Science, reflecting its expanded scope and growing importance within the university's academic structure.

Academic Departments

Core Scientific Disciplines

The College of Science is organized into distinct departments, each dedicated to advancing knowledge and training students in specialized fields:

  • Biochemistry and Biophysics
  • Integrative Biology
  • Chemistry
  • Mathematics
  • Microbiology
  • Physics
  • Statistics

Pathways to Medicine

Exceptional Acceptance Rates

The College of Science maintains strong affiliations with leading medical schools nationwide. On average, 60-70% of its pre-med graduates are accepted into medical school, significantly exceeding the national average acceptance rate of 33-40%. This success highlights the rigorous preparation provided by the college's programs.

Premier Undergraduate Majors

Top majors for students pursuing a pre-medical track include Biochemistry and Biophysics, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Biohealth Sciences (Ecampus), Biology, Chemistry, and Microbiology. These programs provide a strong scientific foundation essential for medical studies.

Diverse Health Professions Preparation

The college offers a wide array of special programs designed to meet the entrance requirements for various medical and health professions. This includes preparation for fields such as clinical laboratory science, dentistry, optometry, pharmacy, physical therapy, physician assistant programs, podiatry, and veterinary medicine.

Navigating Fiscal Challenges

The Impact of Measure 5

In 1990, Oregon voters approved Ballot Measure 5, a landmark property tax reduction initiative. This legislation significantly altered state funding for education. In response to projected budget cuts, university administrators requested the closure of one program within the College of Science.

Elimination of General Science

Following this directive, college administrators made the difficult decision to eliminate the General Science department in 1991 and 1992. While general science courses are still offered as electives, the dedicated department was discontinued due to its broad curriculum, impacting the university's overall budget appropriations.

Distinguished Alumni

Shaping Industries and Advancing Frontiers

Graduates from the College of Science have achieved remarkable success across diverse fields, leaving a significant impact on science, industry, and society. Their achievements span mountaineering, academia, entrepreneurship, public service, and technological innovation.

  • Stacy Allison: First American woman to summit Mount Everest.
  • Clinton Ballou: Acclaimed Berkeley professor researching metabolism and microbial cell walls.
  • Frits Bolkestein: Retired Dutch politician and former European Commissioner.
  • Knute Buehler: Former Oregon state representative, orthopedic surgeon, and Rhodes Scholar.
  • Peggy Cherng: Co-founder and co-CEO of Panda Express, a self-made billionaire.
  • Charity Dean: Epidemiologist, CEO of The Public Health Company, and key figure during the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • Philip Emeagwali: Internationally acclaimed computer scientist, Gordon Bell Prize winner.
  • Michael Gribskov: Professor of biological sciences and computer science, former president of the International Society for Computational Biology.
  • Marcia Gumpertz: Renowned statistician specializing in agricultural statistics and spatial analysis.
  • Bobby Henderson: Academic activist and author of "The Gospel of the Flying Spaghetti Monster."
  • Wayne L. Hubbell: Jules Stein Professor of Ophthalmology at UCLA, researcher in protein structure.
  • Abdul Jerri: Iraqi American mathematician known for contributions to Shannon Sampling Theory.
  • Donald M. Kerr: Wildlife biologist and founder of the High Desert Museum.
  • Ann Kiessling: Biochemist and biophysicist, pioneer in reverse transcriptase research.
  • Beau Mirchoff: Canadian-American actor known for roles in MTV series and Starz productions.
  • Forrest Preston: Owner, founder, and CEO of Life Care Centers of America.
  • Leonard Shoen: Founder of the U-Haul truck and trailer organization.
  • Andrew E. Smith: Researcher credited with discovering the pigment "Mas Blue."
  • Ann Streissguth: Researcher known for work on fetal alcohol syndrome.
  • Warren M. Washington: Senior scientist at NCAR and former chair of the National Science Board.
  • Marta Torres: Professor researching biogeochemical impacts on the deep biosphere.
  • Willi Unsoeld: Member of the first American Everest expedition, pioneer of experiential education.
  • Michael Waterman: Co-inventor of the Smith-Waterman algorithm, a foundational figure in computational biology.

Distinguished Faculty

Leading Researchers and Educators

The College of Science is home to faculty members who are leaders in their respective fields, contributing groundbreaking research and shaping the next generation of scientists.

  • Tevian Dray: Researcher in octonions and particle theory, fellow of the American Physical Society.
  • Jane Lubchenco: University distinguished professor, former U.S. deputy director for climate and environment.
  • Corinne Alison Manogue: Acclaimed physics educator and researcher, known for contributions to electromagnetic theory.
  • George Poinar Jr.: Acclaimed entomologist, co-discoverer of DNA extraction from fossils in amber.
  • Heidi Schellman: Expert in quantum chromodynamics, ranked among top female scientists globally.
  • Mas Subramanian: Scientist recognized for discovering novel functional materials and the pigment "Mas Blue," fellow of the Neutron Scattering Society of America.

Leadership Through the Years

Chronological Deans

The College of Science has been guided by dedicated leaders throughout its history. Here is a list of its deans:

Dean Years Served
Earl L. Packard 1932โ€“1938
Francois A. Gilfillan 1938โ€“1962
Vernon Cheldelin 1962โ€“1965
John Ward 1966โ€“1970
Robert W. Krauss 1973โ€“1980
Thomas Sugihara 1981โ€“1986
Frederick M. Horne 1986โ€“1999
Sherman H. Bloomer 1999โ€“2013
Vincent T. Remcho 2013โ€“2014
Sastry Pantula 2014โ€“2017
Roy Haggerty 2017โ€“2022
Vrushali Bokil (Interim) 2022โ€“2023
Eleanor Feingold 2023โ€“Present

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References

References

  1.  http://osulibrary.oregonstate.edu/archives/chronology/chron_1930.html Retrieved on April 3, 2007.
A full list of references for this article are available at the Oregon State University College of Science Wikipedia page

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Disclaimer

Important Notice Regarding Content

This page has been generated by an Artificial Intelligence and is intended solely for informational and educational purposes. The content is derived from a snapshot of publicly available data, primarily from Wikipedia, and may not be entirely comprehensive, accurate, or up-to-date.

This is not professional academic or career advice. The information provided herein is not a substitute for direct consultation with university officials, academic advisors, or relevant professionals. Users should always refer to official Oregon State University College of Science resources and consult with qualified experts for specific guidance related to academic programs, career paths, or institutional matters.

The creators of this page are not responsible for any errors or omissions, or for any actions taken based on the information presented.