Natural Sciences Fact Sheet

Science

The engine of fundamental discovery

In the natural sciences division of The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, students and faculty discover solutions to fundamental questions through groundbreaking research. By exploring everything from the great unknowns of the Earth and our Solar System, to addressing major challenges like global climate change, cutting-edge work in six science disciplines has a direct impact on society’s progress. Work being done results in a direct impact on society’s progress.

Exploring the great unknown

From Nobel Prize winners to young entrepreneurial thought leaders, faculty and scholars in the natural sciences are examining the Earth, our Solar System and the universe beyond to uncover the mysteries and phenomena of the physical world.

National Science Foundation awards $90.8 million to advance X-ray science

Professors in the School of Molecular Sciences and Department of Physics are members of an ASU-led multi-institutional team developing the first ever compact X-ray free electron laser, or (CXFEL) at Arizona State University.

Research at the cutting edge of discovery and innovation

The natural sciences division fosters educational excellence through innovative degree programs, unparalleled access to one-of-a-kind research opportunities and award-winning faculty and scholars. Our commitment to excellence has resulted in partnerships with NASA, National Institutes of Health, Mayo Clinic and more.

First-of-their kind degree programs,

including the fi rst online accredited undergraduate astronomy degree, fi rst and only master’s degree program developed for in-service teachers and the nation’s only online chemistry and biochemistry degrees.

State-of-the-art research labs and facilities

including two spaceflight-certifi ed cleanrooms for assembling and testing spacecrafts and instruments, 24,000 square feet dedicated to nine natural history collections and over 40,000 meteorite specimens.

World-class research

on bees and other insects, extraterrestrial amino acids, as well as the 1st compact X-ray free electron laser (CXFEL) of its kind in the world.

Top NSF HERD rankings

in transdisciplinary sciences (No. 1), geological and earth sciences (No. 3) and NASAfunded expenditures (No. 8), with over 15 NASA missions led by students and faculty.

A new approach to teaching biology

An adaptive and flexible teaching model that levels the playing field for all biology learners, allowing anyone to understand complex concepts and gain the confidence to take on scientific challenges.

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A space launch 12 years in the making

The Psyche Mission, which launched Oct. 13, 2023, is the first mission to explore a metal asteroid and the first NASA deep-space mission led by Arizona State University.

Building a community of belonging

The College strives to follow ASU’s charter as a “comprehensive public research university, measured not by whom we exclude, but rather by whom we include and how they succeed.”

Together, with our many units and centers, we are leading important conversations and research to support our diverse students, faculty and sta . We’re building a community of belonging where every voice matters, and where new perspectives and histories are shared.

Academic units

Department of Physics

Department of Psychology

School of Earth and Space Exploration

School of Life Sciences

School of Mathematical and Statistical Sciences

School of Molecular Sciences

Centers and institutes

Beus Center for Cosmic Foundations

Beyond Center for Fundamental Concepts in Science

Biodiversity Knowledge Integration Center

Buseck Center for Meteorite Studies

Center for Biodiversity Outcomes

Center for Bioenergy and Photosynthesis

Center for Biological Physics

Center for Biology and Society

Center for Education Through eXploration

Center for Evolution and Medicine

Center for Materials of the Universe

Global Drylands Center

Interplanetary Initiative

REACH Institute

RISE Center

Simon A. Levin Mathematical, Computational and Modeling Sciences Center

Strengthen the academic heart of ASU

The College is committed to improving communities on a local, national and global scale. Whether you want to advance research to solve real-world problems or support students in pursuing their dreams, you can help strengthen The College community and beyond.

thecollege.asu.edu/give

The sciences are the engine of fundamental discovery, making ASU a top research comprehensive public university. We are preparing the scientific leaders of tomorrow to identify solutions to the biggest challenges our world presently faces.”

— Kenro Kusumi Dean of Natural Sciences

Armstrong

February 2024