Welcome to the School of Physical Sciences

At the heart of the university, the School of Physical Sciences is committed to academic and scholarly excellence. Our priorities support the chancellor’s strategic goals, as our vision focuses on student success, groundbreaking research, and enriching human life and society. As dean, I am excited and honored to be entrusted with leading the school’s next exciting chapter as we all work together to create and uphold an environment that allows all our community members to thrive.

The School of Physical Sciences includes the departments of Astronomy and Astrophysics, Chemistry and Biochemistry, Physics, and Mathematics. We are home to over 200 faculty scholars who brought in nearly $70 million in research funding last year. Developing quantum materials for the next generation of computing; understanding the origins of the universe; solving longstanding math problems; developing gene-editing techniques that save lives – from the subatomic to the astronomical, we push the boundaries of what is known, what is possible every day.

The school offers a wide range of undergraduate degrees and nationally ranked graduate programs. We are home to more than 675 graduate students and 4,000 undergraduate majors. Nearly all undergraduate students take at least one of our courses to fulfill graduation requirements, equaling nearly 75,000 student enrollments in Physical Sciences courses each year.

Our world-renowned faculty are dedicated to teaching and mentorship. They share a deep passion for understanding our world and equipping our students with the tools and knowledge to be future changemakers. In this spirit, they combine research excellence, educational innovation and diverse perspectives to expand the frontiers of scientific discovery and address the complex challenges facing our global society.

I am thrilled to lead UC San Diego’s already remarkable School of Physical Sciences to even greater preeminence, nationally and internationally, by developing innovative strategies and programs to meet the challenges of a rapidly changing educational and research landscape. I am excited to work with all of you to build an environment for research and learning where everyone can succeed and thrive.

Sincerely,
Christine A. Hrycyna
Dean, School of Physical Sciences