Two decades of impact

Originally part of the College of Arts and Sciences, the University of Nevada, Reno College of Science became its own academic entity in 2004. With eight departments, three on-campus museums, stellar faculty, and a wide breadth of undergraduate and graduate degree programs, the College is proud to educate and mentor the next generation of innovative thinkers and doers.

Check out our historical timeline
Students using scientific equipment for biology class in 1920.

Where it all began: the College of Science's origin story

While science disciplines have been taught at the University for over 100 years, the College of Science didn't become its own academic entity until January 2004, when a massive campus reorganization divided the College of Arts and Science into the College of Liberal Arts and the College of Science. At this pivotal moment, the Mackay School of Mines also merged into the College of Science and took on a new name: The Mackay School of Earth Sciences and Engineering. In the 20 years since its inception, the College has been dedicated to preparing the next generation of scientists to take on the world's most challenging issues and pave the way to a brighter, more sustainable future.

20 years of operation
720 faculty and staff members
3197 science students enrolled

A walk through time

To commemorate the College’s 20-year anniversary and the University’s sesquicentennial celebration, enjoy this gallery of historical science landmarks and students on our beautiful campus, predating the College's existence.

  • Students work on chemistry in the chemical laboratory, 1908 (Credit: Special Collections and University Archives)
  • Chemistry laboratory in the historic Chemistry Building, 1920 (Credit: Special Collections and University Archives)
  • W.M. Keck Earth Science and Mineral Engineering Museum, 1920 (Credit: Special Collections and University Archives)
  • Betty Gloria Bowman (left) and Jean Martine Horning (right), the first women graduates of the Mackay School of Mines at the University of Nevada, Reno in 1937 (Credit: Special Collections and University Archives)
  • Students and faculty in front of the Mackay School of Mines, ca. 1950 (Credit: Special Collections and University Archives)
  • Students and faculty discuss findings in biology class, ca. 1960 (Credit: Special Collections and University Archives)
  • Fleischmann Planetarium and Science Center, ca. 1970 (Credit: Special Collections and University Archives)