Welcome to the College of Science at the University of Notre Dame.

Motivated by the vast accomplishments of the faculty, students and alumni, my goals for the college are aggressive and far-reaching. Leveraging the college’s scholarly foundation, profound sense of unity of purpose, steadfast commitment to the distinctive mission of the University, and the rich set of intellectual resources on campus, I seek to make the College of Science at Notre Dame one of the most recognized programs, both nationally and internationally; to make it renowned for embarking upon the world’s most challenging problems facing basic science and mankind today; to become respected for our tangible contributions to society, human health and welfare; and to be known for the quality of our faculty and graduates.

As part of a scholarly community that encourages the exploration and discovery of fundamental phenomena in search of the truth, promotes the translation of basic science to improve quality of life, human health and the environment, and believes strongly in the power of interdisciplinary thought, the college is a stimulating environment for learning, teaching, research, and service. Through a world-class faculty, a plethora of collaborative pursuits both within the college and across disciplinary boundaries, state-of-the art facilities, and an exceptional research environment deeply rooted in the distinctive mission of Notre Dame, the College of Science fosters a "think big" mentality, while affirming its unwavering commitment to excellence in undergraduate education. 

The College of Science attracts a lively mix of students, the best and brightest from around the globe, drawn to the University because of its distinctive mission and Catholic character. With the new, state-of-the-art facility, the Jordan Hall of Science, Notre Dame science is uniquely positioned to train the next generation of scientists with the most advanced instrumentation and infrastructure.

We seek to develop within our science students a deep appreciation of the society that science serves. This holistic approach is a sine qua non for success in an increasingly complex and globally-interconnected world. This next generation of scientists requires an educationalexperience emboldening them to tackle a scientific, technological and socioeconomic landscape that is barely yet visible. The world in which they spend their lives will be one in which change, flexibility, and complexity are rules rather than exceptions; it will be characterized by diverse and interlinkedgroups of citizens and cultures. These scientists will not only act as problem solvers, but rather facilitate the definition of the problem itself. Many of our undergraduates engage in genuine research experiences with faculty members, to understand the complexity of research and the broader problems the research is addressing. We seek to create even more undergraduate research opportunities for our students, so they can learn from our faculty—the problem definers—of the broad and challenging problems facing contemporary scientists. This experiential learning introduces students to open-ended problems with no obvious answers, challenging the student’s creativity, imagination and ingenuity.

If you are a student considering the University of Notre Dame College of Science, ask yourself the following questions: do you resonate with the mission of the University of Notre Dame? do you possess a “think big” mentality? do you aspire to make your mark on the world through innovative and creative science? are you passionate about making a difference?  If you answered yes to the above questions, the College of Science at Notre Dame is right for you.

Go Irish!

Gregory P. Crawford,
William K. Warren Foundation Dean
College of Science