Virginia Tech College of Science
Encyclopedia
The College of Science at Virginia Tech contains academic programs in biology, chemistry, economics, geosciences, mathematics, physics, psychology, and statistics. In 2010-11, the College of Science consisted of 339 faculty members and 4,370 students. The college was established in July 2003 after university restructuring split the College of Arts and Sciences, established in 1963, into two distinct colleges. Lay Nam Chang has been acting dean of the College of Science since its inception in 2003.
Department of Biochemistry, which offers undergraduate students a bachelor of science in biochemistry and graduate students a master of science or doctoral degree. The college also houses Virginia Tech’s two largest undergraduate degree-granting programs, biology and psychology.
Virginia Tech has numerous interdisciplinary research institutes available for use by the faculty and students of the College of Science, including:
.
Robert Bodnar, University Distinguished Professor of Geosciences, has played a major role in analyzing the costs and benefits of uranium mining
in Virginia.
Ezra “Bud” Brown, Alumni Distinguished Professor of Mathematics, has taught at Virginia Tech since 1969.
Arthur Buikema Jr., Alumni Distinguished Professor of Biology, has been teaching at Virginia Tech since 1971; as a Fulbright fellow, he taught and developed programs in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe.
Dennis Dean, University Distinguished Professor of Biology, is the director of the Fralin Life Science Institute. Dean has received funding from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, National Institutes of Health
, National Science Foundation
, and Office of Naval Research
.
Carla Finkielstein is an assistant professor in the Department of Biological Sciences. Her research, which is supported by a Faculty Early Career Development Award from the National Science Foundation
, focuses on how changes in circadian rhythms may contribute to the development of breast cancer
in women. In 2010, she earned a Minority Scholar Award in cancer research from the American Association for Cancer Research
(AACR). Additionally, Finkielstein’s work in cellular processes that affect tumors has received private funding from the Susan G. Komen Foundation and Avon Foundation.
E. Scott Geller, Alumni Distinguished Professor of Psychology, coined the phrase behavior-based safety
in 1979. He also started an initiative called Actively Caring for People that promotes safety culture
.
Michael Hochella Jr., University Distinguished Professor of Geosciences, has been a Fulbright Scholar, a Humboldt
Award winner, and Virginia Outstanding Scientist. He is also a Fellow of six international scientific societies, including the American Association for the Advancement of Science
(AAAS).
David Kingston, University Distinguished Professor of Chemistry, holds 14 U.S. patents and has two plants, Taxus kingstonii and Cordia kingstoniana, named in his honor.
James McGrath is a University Distinguished Professor in Chemistry and Ethyl Corporation
Chair.
Thomas Ollendick is a University Distinguished Professor of Psychology and the Director of the Child Study Center in Blacksburg, Va. Since coming to Virginia Tech in 1980, he has served on several committees, including the Clinical Treatment Guidelines Advisory Steering Committee of the American Psychological Association, and he has been ranked the 10th-most frequently published core clinical faculty member in a study of 157 clinical psychology programs nationwide.
John Tyson, University Distinguished Professor of Biology, has won numerous honors and awards, including the Virginia Outstanding Scientist award from the Office of the Governor, the Arthur T. Winfree Prize, and Associate Member of the Royal Academy of Sciences in Belgium.
“America Best Graduate Schools 2012,” the paleontology and earth sciences graduate programs rank ninth and 28th in the nation, respectively. Both of these programs are part of the Department of Geosciences, which has been consistently ranked among the best overall geosciences graduate programs in the nation for the past 20 years.
In 2011, the U.S. News & World Report also ranked the Department of Psychology’s clinical psychology program 33rd for the third consecutive year. In a recent study of 157 similar programs across the nation, the clinical psychology doctoral program was ranked seventh in research productivity and 19th in overall research. The Ph.D. program in clinical psychology is also a member of the Academy of Psychological Clinical Science Programs, which is composed of the top 40 research-oriented programs in the United States and Canada.
Academics
The College of Science contains eight departments for undergraduate and graduate study. In addition to these eight departments, the college also offers degrees through the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences'Virginia Tech College of Agriculture and Life Sciences
The College of Agriculture and Life Sciences is one of eight colleges at Virginia Tech with a three-part mission of learning, discovery, and engagement. It has more than 2,500 undergraduate and graduate students in a dozen academic departments. In 2009, the National Science Foundation ranked...
Department of Biochemistry, which offers undergraduate students a bachelor of science in biochemistry and graduate students a master of science or doctoral degree. The college also houses Virginia Tech’s two largest undergraduate degree-granting programs, biology and psychology.
Biological Sciences
As of 2010, the Department of Biological Sciences contained the largest undergraduate degree-granting program on campus. Undergraduates in this department can earn a bachelor of science in biology. Graduate students can earn a master of science or doctoral degree.Chemistry
The Department of Chemistry is located in Davidson Hall, Hahn Hall North, and Hahn Hall South. The department consists of approximately 300 undergraduate majors, 30 professors, eight instructors, and 40 staff members. Undergraduates can earn either a bachelor of arts or a bachelor of science in chemistry, and graduate students can earn either a master of science or doctoral degree.Economics
The Department of Economics is based in both the College of Science and the Pamplin College of Business. Undergraduates can earn a bachelor of arts in economics. Graduate students can earn a master of science or doctoral degree.Geosciences
The Department of Geosciences offers undergraduates a bachelor’s degree in geosciences by way of three options: geology, geochemistry, and geophysics. Graduate students can earn a master of science or doctoral degree. The Department of Geosciences’ graduate program has two top-ranking programs: paleontology and earth sciences.Mathematics
In the Department of Mathematics, undergraduates can earn a bachelor of science in mathematics. Graduate students can earn a master of science or doctoral degree. The Department of Mathematics also offers a mathematics education option, in which students can earn master or doctoral degrees in education.Physics
The Department of Physics is housed in Robeson Hall and Hahn Hall North. The department also often uses labs in Derring Hall. Undergraduates can earn a bachelor of science or bachelor of arts. in physics. Graduate students can earn a master of science or doctoral degree. Graduate students can also participate in an internship program that leads to a master’s degree in applied and industrial physics.Psychology
The Department of Psychology is located in Williams Hall. In 2010, the department’s undergraduate program in psychology was the second largest degree-granting undergraduate program on campus. Undergraduate students in this department can earn a bachelor of science in psychology. Graduate students can earn a doctoral degree in three areas: clinical psychology, biological psychology, and industrial/organizational psychology. (Students can earn a master of science en route to a doctoral degree, but the department does not offer a terminal master’s degree). The clinical psychology doctoral program is fully accredited by the American Psychological Association and is a member of the Academy of Psychological Clinical Science Programs.Statistics
The Department of Statistics is located in Hutcheson Hall. Undergraduates in this department can earn a bachelor’s degree in statistics, and graduate students can earn either a master of science or doctoral degree.Research
The College of Science received $31.94 million in funding from government agencies and private corporations in 2010. This money was used to fund research opportunities for students and faculty in the college. As of 2010, 57 percent of undergraduates graduating from the College of Science participated in research for credit.Virginia Tech has numerous interdisciplinary research institutes available for use by the faculty and students of the College of Science, including:
- Institute for Advanced Study
- Fralin Life Science Institute
- Institute for Critical Technology and Applied Science (ICTAS)
- Institute for Society, Culture, and Environment (ISCE)
- Virginia Tech Carilion Research Institute (VTC)
Distinguished Faculty
Martha Ann Bell, professor of psychology, has published numerous articles related to the field of child psychology and has been the recipient of many internal and external grants, including grants from the National Institute of Child Health & Human Development.. She is a fellow of the American Psychological AssociationAmerican Psychological Association
The American Psychological Association is the largest scientific and professional organization of psychologists in the United States. It is the world's largest association of psychologists with around 154,000 members including scientists, educators, clinicians, consultants and students. The APA...
.
Robert Bodnar, University Distinguished Professor of Geosciences, has played a major role in analyzing the costs and benefits of uranium mining
Uranium mining
Uranium mining is the process of extraction of uranium ore from the ground. The worldwide production of uranium in 2009 amounted to 50,572 tonnes, of which 27% was mined in Kazakhstan. Kazakhstan, Canada, and Australia are the top three producers and together account for 63% of world uranium...
in Virginia.
Ezra “Bud” Brown, Alumni Distinguished Professor of Mathematics, has taught at Virginia Tech since 1969.
Arthur Buikema Jr., Alumni Distinguished Professor of Biology, has been teaching at Virginia Tech since 1971; as a Fulbright fellow, he taught and developed programs in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe.
Dennis Dean, University Distinguished Professor of Biology, is the director of the Fralin Life Science Institute. Dean has received funding from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, National Institutes of Health
National Institutes of Health
The National Institutes of Health are an agency of the United States Department of Health and Human Services and are the primary agency of the United States government responsible for biomedical and health-related research. Its science and engineering counterpart is the National Science Foundation...
, National Science Foundation
National Science Foundation
The National Science Foundation is a United States government agency that supports fundamental research and education in all the non-medical fields of science and engineering. Its medical counterpart is the National Institutes of Health...
, and Office of Naval Research
Office of Naval Research
The Office of Naval Research , headquartered in Arlington, Virginia , is the office within the United States Department of the Navy that coordinates, executes, and promotes the science and technology programs of the U.S...
.
Carla Finkielstein is an assistant professor in the Department of Biological Sciences. Her research, which is supported by a Faculty Early Career Development Award from the National Science Foundation
National Science Foundation
The National Science Foundation is a United States government agency that supports fundamental research and education in all the non-medical fields of science and engineering. Its medical counterpart is the National Institutes of Health...
, focuses on how changes in circadian rhythms may contribute to the development of breast cancer
Breast cancer
Breast cancer is cancer originating from breast tissue, most commonly from the inner lining of milk ducts or the lobules that supply the ducts with milk. Cancers originating from ducts are known as ductal carcinomas; those originating from lobules are known as lobular carcinomas...
in women. In 2010, she earned a Minority Scholar Award in cancer research from the American Association for Cancer Research
American Association for Cancer Research
The American Association for Cancer Research is the world's oldest and largest professional association to advancing cancer research. Based in Philadelphia, AACR focuses on all aspects of cancer research including basic, clinical and translational research into the etiology, prevention, diagnosis,...
(AACR). Additionally, Finkielstein’s work in cellular processes that affect tumors has received private funding from the Susan G. Komen Foundation and Avon Foundation.
E. Scott Geller, Alumni Distinguished Professor of Psychology, coined the phrase behavior-based safety
Behavior-based safety
Behavior-based safety is the "application of science of behavior change to real world problems". BBS "focuses on what people do, analyzes why they do it, and then applies a research-supported intervention strategy to improve what people do"...
in 1979. He also started an initiative called Actively Caring for People that promotes safety culture
Safety culture
Safety culture is a term used to describe the way in which safety is managed in the workplace, and often reflects "the attitudes, beliefs, perceptions and values that employees share in relation to safety" .-Defining safety culture:...
.
Michael Hochella Jr., University Distinguished Professor of Geosciences, has been a Fulbright Scholar, a Humboldt
Humboldt
-People:* Alexander von Humboldt, German natural scientist, brother of Wilhelm von Humboldt* Wilhelm von Humboldt , German linguist, philosopher, and diplomat, brother of Alexander von Humboldt- Counties :* Humboldt County, California* Humboldt County, Iowa...
Award winner, and Virginia Outstanding Scientist. He is also a Fellow of six international scientific societies, including the American Association for the Advancement of Science
American Association for the Advancement of Science
The American Association for the Advancement of Science is an international non-profit organization with the stated goals of promoting cooperation among scientists, defending scientific freedom, encouraging scientific responsibility, and supporting scientific education and science outreach for the...
(AAAS).
David Kingston, University Distinguished Professor of Chemistry, holds 14 U.S. patents and has two plants, Taxus kingstonii and Cordia kingstoniana, named in his honor.
James McGrath is a University Distinguished Professor in Chemistry and Ethyl Corporation
Ethyl Corporation
Ethyl Corporation is a fuel additive company headquartered in Richmond, Virginia. The company is a manufacturer, blender and distributor of fuel additives...
Chair.
Thomas Ollendick is a University Distinguished Professor of Psychology and the Director of the Child Study Center in Blacksburg, Va. Since coming to Virginia Tech in 1980, he has served on several committees, including the Clinical Treatment Guidelines Advisory Steering Committee of the American Psychological Association, and he has been ranked the 10th-most frequently published core clinical faculty member in a study of 157 clinical psychology programs nationwide.
John Tyson, University Distinguished Professor of Biology, has won numerous honors and awards, including the Virginia Outstanding Scientist award from the Office of the Governor, the Arthur T. Winfree Prize, and Associate Member of the Royal Academy of Sciences in Belgium.
Rankings
According to U.S. News & World Report’sU.S. News & World Report
U.S. News & World Report is an American news magazine published from Washington, D.C. Along with Time and Newsweek it was for many years a leading news weekly, focusing more than its counterparts on political, economic, health and education stories...
“America Best Graduate Schools 2012,” the paleontology and earth sciences graduate programs rank ninth and 28th in the nation, respectively. Both of these programs are part of the Department of Geosciences, which has been consistently ranked among the best overall geosciences graduate programs in the nation for the past 20 years.
In 2011, the U.S. News & World Report also ranked the Department of Psychology’s clinical psychology program 33rd for the third consecutive year. In a recent study of 157 similar programs across the nation, the clinical psychology doctoral program was ranked seventh in research productivity and 19th in overall research. The Ph.D. program in clinical psychology is also a member of the Academy of Psychological Clinical Science Programs, which is composed of the top 40 research-oriented programs in the United States and Canada.
Notable Alumni
- Mary Brumfield (biology 1923; M.S. 1925) was the first female student to graduate from Virginia Tech.
- Robert M. Thomas (chemistry 1929) was the co-inventor of butyl rubberButyl rubberButyl rubber is a synthetic rubber, a copolymer of isobutylene with isoprene. The abbreviation IIR stands for Isobutylene Isoprene Rubber. Polyisobutylene, also known as "PIB" or polyisobutene, n, is the homopolymer of isobutylene, or 2-methyl-1-propene, on which butyl rubber is based...
, a synthetic material that became famous during World War II.
- Wilson B. Bell (biology 1934; M.S. 1935; Ph.D. 1952) co-developed a new vaccine to protect calves against bovine leptospirosisLeptospirosisLeptospirosis is caused by infection with bacteria of the genus Leptospira, and affects humans as well as other mammals, birds, amphibians, and reptiles.The...
, which had cost livestock raisers throughout the country thousands of dollars daily.
- James M. Smith Jr. (M.S. chemistry 1936) and his colleagues developed methotrexateMethotrexateMethotrexate , abbreviated MTX and formerly known as amethopterin, is an antimetabolite and antifolate drug. It is used in treatment of cancer, autoimmune diseases, ectopic pregnancy, and for the induction of medical abortions. It acts by inhibiting the metabolism of folic acid. Methotrexate...
as a cancer chemotherapeutic agent.
- Benjamin RubinBenjamin RubinBenjamin Rubin is an American microbiologist, known as the inventor of the bifurcated vaccination needle, which played an important role in the eradication of smallpox. Rubin invented this device by taking the eyelet of a sewing machine needle and grinding it down.-References:*...
(M.S. biology 1938) invented the bifurcated vaccination needle to deliver tiny amounts of smallpox vaccine. The needle is credited with helping to eradicate smallpoxSmallpoxSmallpox was an infectious disease unique to humans, caused by either of two virus variants, Variola major and Variola minor. The disease is also known by the Latin names Variola or Variola vera, which is a derivative of the Latin varius, meaning "spotted", or varus, meaning "pimple"...
.
- James F. Van Pelt Jr. (biology 1940) was the navigator of a B-29 Superfortress in both atomic bomb attacks against Japan at the close of World War II. He navigated the instrument ship in the first attack against Hiroshima, and his airplane dropped the atomic bomb on Nagasaki.
- Robert C. RichardsonRobert Coleman RichardsonRobert Coleman Richardson is an American experimental physicist whose area of research includes sub-millikelvin temperature studies of helium-3...
(physics 1958, M.S. 1960) won the 1996 Nobel Prize in Physics for discovering how helium-3 can transform itself into a liquid that flows without friction at temperatures near absolute zero.
- William W. Lewis Jr. (physics 1963) was Virginia Tech’s first Rhodes Scholar and went on to earn a Ph.D. in theoretical physics from Oxford in 1966.
- Roger K. CrouchRoger K. Crouch-External links:*...
(M.S. physics 1968; Ph.D. 1971) twice served as the scientific astronaut with the Columbia space shuttle in 1997.
- William J. Madia (Ph.D. chemistry 1975) is vice president for the Stanford Linear Accelerator CenterSLAC National Accelerator LaboratoryThe SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory, originally named Stanford Linear Accelerator Center, is a United States Department of Energy National Laboratory operated by Stanford University under the programmatic direction of the U.S...
.
- Jim BuckmasterJim BuckmasterJim Buckmaster , a native of Ann Arbor, Michigan, is an American computer programmer who has been the CEO of Craigslist since 2000....
(biochemistry 1984) is CEO of CraigslistCraigslistCraigslist is a centralized network of online communities featuring free online classified advertisements, with sections devoted to jobs, housing, personals, for sale, services, community, gigs, résumés, and discussion forums....
, a centralized network of online urban communities that features free classified ads and forums on multiple topics.
- Mark EmbreeMark EmbreeMark Embree is professor of computational and applied mathematics at Rice University in Houston, Texas.His main research interests are Krylov subspace methods, non-normal operators and spectral perturbation theory, Toeplitz matrices, random matrices, and damped wave operators.Mark Embree was...
(mathematics and computer science 1996) became Virginia Tech’s second Rhodes Scholar in 1996. Currently, Embree is professor of computational and applied mathematics at Rice University.
- Roger CraigRoger Craig (Jeopardy! contestant)Roger Alan Craig is an American game show contestant who holds the all-time record for single-day winnings on the quiz show Jeopardy! In 2011, Craig returned to Jeopardy, winning the Jeopardy! Tournament of Champions.-Early life and non-game-show career:...
(biology 1999, biochemistry 1999) became the highest one-day total winner on the game show “Jeopardy!Jeopardy!Griffin's first conception of the game used a board comprising ten categories with ten clues each, but after finding that this board could not be shown on camera easily, he reduced it to two rounds of thirty clues each, with five clues in each of six categories...
” in 2010. He won $77,000 in one evening, surpassing the previous record of $75,000. His seven-day total winnings of $231,200 -- amassed before his run as the show’s champion ended Sept. 21, 2010 -- was third highest for the show, excluding tournaments.