Science Division
For more than 60 years, UC Santa Cruz scientists have been making transformational insights across every field of study: We have pioneered studies of planets around distant stars, reshaped our understanding of our coasts and oceans, brought hope to pediatric cancer patients and their families, and pushed the frontiers of particle physics. We are one of the youngest public universities to be formally recognized as a U.S. and global research leader.
We care deeply about how science can better the world around us, and students and faculty come here because of our real-world impact. Our professors are dedicated to preparing students from diverse backgrounds for success in scientific careers. We are leading the drive for experiential learning in science — putting students in labs, in field work, and in community internships — so that every student’s education is meaningful, impactful, and enduring.
Even more extraordinary impact lies ahead, as new tools, new materials, and new data sources accelerate and expand discovery. Science at UC Santa Cruz has never held more promise, never mattered more for our nation’s well-being and prosperity, and never been more urgently needed for the future of humanity.
“UC Santa Cruz scientists have a reputation for instigating some of humanity’s most high-impact discoveries in climate science, health, astrophysics, and many other areas, and for empowering students with immersive research experiences.
As we look ahead, the division is anchored by three core pillars that define what we stand for and that set our aspirations for the future: degree-defining experiences, research impact, and inclusive excellence.”
— Bryan Gaensler, Dean of Science
With your support we will:
Take on the toughest research questions at both foundational and applied levels of science. Building from our historic strengths, the Science Division will attract the fresh talent and resources needed to pursue vital areas of inquiry. Using new technologies, new data sources, and interdisciplinary insights, we will make discoveries that will have high impact on California and the world — protecting our oceans and shorelines, unlocking how RNA shapes life and health, and searching for life on other worlds.
Make it possible for every Science Division student to pursue at least one degree-defining experience. Working on a field study in our Natural Reserve System, interning at a tech company, or pursuing their own lab investigations — these hands-on experiences can be transformative, giving students confidence, helping them envision career goals, and laying the foundations that they need in order to excel in their careers and to become changemakers in their communities.
Expand opportunities for future scientific leadership for young people whose potential risks being untapped. The full breadth of California’s and the world’s best minds is a key ingredient in furthering innovation in scientific research and education. In everything we do, we will open science to more talented people than ever before.
Support for the Science Division
Gifts to the Science Division allow our research teams to carry out groundbreaking science and make it possible for UC Santa Cruz to recruit and retain talented students.
Faculty support helps the division attract new scientific talent, and lets them then build their laboratories and teams. We are also seeking funding for chairs/professorships, new research institutes, and postdoctoral fellowships.
Student support makes it affordable for talented students to study here and to prepare for successful careers in science. We seek funding for scholarships, graduate fellowships, and degree-defining experiences.
Programmatic support includes seed funding for new research directions, support for lab and field equipment, innovations in teaching inside and outside the classroom, and funds for early-stage science entrepreneurship. We seek funding in exciting areas such as computational cosmology, RNA biology, coastal climate resilience, and deep-ocean biologging.
The Dean’s Innovation Fund gives our scientific leaders resources to capitalize on emerging opportunities and to launch new student initiatives.
Science Division Departments and Programs
- ASTRONOMY & ASTROPHYSICS
- BIOMEDICAL SCIENCES & ENGINEERING
- CHEMISTRY & BIOCHEMISTRY
- COASTAL SCIENCE & POLICY
- EARTH & PLANETARY SCIENCES
- ECOLOGY & EVOLUTIONARY BIOLOGY
- ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
- GLOBAL & COMMUNITY HEALTH
- INSTITUTE OF MARINE SCIENCES (IMS)
- MATERIALS SCIENCE & ENGINEERING
- MATHEMATICS
- MOLECULAR, CELL, & DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
- MICROBIOLOGY & ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY
- NATURAL RESERVE SYSTEM
- OCEAN SCIENCES
- PHYSICS
- SANTA CRUZ INSTITUTE FOR PARTICLE PHYSICS (SCIPP)
- SCIENCE COMMUNICATION
- UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA OBSERVATORIES (UCO)/LICK OBSERVATORY