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College of Science and Mathematics Records

 Collection
Identifier: UA 0061

Scope and Contents

The records of the College of Science and Mathematics, as whole, consists of annual reports (1982 - 2003-2004 [gaps), faculty lists (1990), faculty evaluation (1975, 1975-1980), faculty annuals reports (1987), Honors Day (1993), faculty workshops (1977, 1978), Expanding Your Horizons (1980, 2000-2003), recruitment/public relations (1960s – 2004 [gaps]), and historical background (1950).

The Biological Science Department Series includes: Departmental Background includes historical information on the study of botany and plant pathology at NDSU, a chronological format of the history of botany at NDSU from 1890 through 1990, and numerous fact sheets from the late 1980s. Committees, Task Forces, Commissions consist of one folder of reviews of introductory biology courses by the Biological Review Committee from 1984, 1985. Reports include the 1983 annual botany report, as well as the 1989 biological science review report. Publications consist of one paper, “Relation of Birds to Certain Power Transmission Lines in Central North Dakota” from November 1979. Recruitment consists of information on graduate study in botany/biology from 1979, and an open house in the department from 1982.

The Chemistry and Molecular Biology Department Series includes: Departmental Background includes a listing of faculty from 1890 through 2001, a history of the department through 1965, and NDSU Facts from 1988 and 1989. Correspondence and Memoranda consists of one folder of two items of correspondence regarding the explosion of the chemistry building in 1909. Reports and Documents includes a graduate program review of chemistry and polymers and coatings for 1979-1984, a self-evaluation and program review for biochemistry in 1980, and the 1988 biochemistry annual report. Subjects contains a report on the a conference on undergraduate chemistry curriculum in the north central state region held at NDSU in 1965, brochures on the Joel Broberg Annual Lectureships in Chemistry from 1987-2000 [gaps], information on two “Main Group Chemistry” conference held in Fargo (1996, 1998), a brochure on the George Graf Distinguished Lectureship in biochemistry from 1997, and information on the Center for Protease Research from December 2001. Publications include three holiday newsletters (1950, 1951, 1978), and Chem-News from 1994-2004 [gaps]. Recruitment consists of two chemistry open houses from 1929 and 1930; and graduate recruitment materials from the later 1960s through 2002.

Clinical Laboratory Science Department records consist of three folders of informational/recruitment type of brochures from 1969 – 2001.

Computer Science Department Series records consist of three folders, primarily dealing with recruitment information and a press release announcing reaccreditation from 1998.

Geosciences Department Series records consists of a history of the department mission statement as of 2003, program review for 1987-1994, flyer on course for the spring of 1998, and a recruitment type brochure from 2001.

Mathematics Department Series records consists of five folders, one dealing with a mathematics science consulting center (1978), a report from the Bush Foundation regarding a grant (1986), the program of the 1991 American Mathematics Society Meeting that was held at NDSU, Fact sheets from 1989 and 1995, and the lecture note series #1, c. 1995.

Psychology Department Series consists of recruitment type literature for the undergraduate and graduate programs in psychology from the 1970s to the early 2000s. There is also one issue of their newsletter for the winter of 1999.

Deans Series records consist of the Biographical Sub-Series, Department Correspondence Sub-Series, Annual Report Sub-Series, Committee Sub-Series is missing records from 1990 – 2000, and a General Office Files Sub-Series is a catchall sub-series.

Willard D. Pye, Papers Series is an artificially created record group. Dr. Pye's files were discovered in 2000 in a file cabinet of his successor, Dr. Warren Kress. As to the "what and where" for Dr. Pye after he left North Dakota Agricultural College, an internet search proved to be inconclusive. The papers in essence are subject files that Dr. Pye maintained and they have been broken into four sub-series: Dr. Pye's correspondence (1949-1956); Department of Geology and Geography related, including budgets (1947-1954), curriculum (1947-1953), initial discussion and eventual discontinuance of the geology major (1950-1954), general departmental matters (1947-1954), and Forum articles (1951, 1953); School of Applied Arts and Sciences related, which consists primarily of advisor registration manuals (1949-1950, 1956) and Departmental Chair meetings/memos (1950-1954); and North Dakota Agricultural College related, including committee work (1948-1953), college memos (1947-1954), and college council minutes (1950-1954).

Dates

  • 1950 – 2006

Conditions Governing Access

The collection is open under the rules and regulations of the NDSU Archives.

Conditions Governing Use

Copyrights to this collection is held by The North Dakota State University Archives.

Biographical / Historical

Prior to the formation of the College of Science and Mathematics in March of 1973, the departments and areas of study which make up the current College of Science and Mathematics went through many changes and shuffles since the founding of the North Dakota Agricultural College in 1890. The following traces the development of the College.

The May 1892 NDAC Bulletin listing of courses included: Botany and Zoology, Chemistry and Mathematics. By the 1898-1899 Bulletin each of these was now a department. The 1899 Bulletin listed the Department of Mechanics and Physics. By the 1904-1905 Bulletin, the following departments were listed: Department of Botany, Zoology and Bacteriology; Department of Chemistry and Pharmacy; Department and of Mathematics; and the Department of Mechanics and Physics. As of the 1905-1906 Bulletin, Biology was listed as a department, with biology, botany, zoology, physiology, and bacteriology as the course components. Another change was found in the 1908-1909 Bulletin: Under the general heading of the Department of Biology, there was listed the Division of Botany, Division of Zoology, and Division of Bacteriology. Under the Department of Chemistry and Pharmacy, there was the Division of Chemistry and the Division of Pharmacy. Listed under the Department of Engineering was the Division of Mechanical Engineering, Division of Physics, Division of Steam and Experimental Engineering, and the Division of Civil Engineering. Finally there is listed the Department of Mathematics.

The 1917-1918 Bulletin lists the School of Chemistry and Pharmacy, with the following divisions: inorganic and qualitative chemistry; agricultural chemistry; quantitative, organic and physical chemistry; food and physiological chemistry; and industrial chemistry. Within the School of Mechanic Arts is listed the Division of Physics. Also found was a category titled Group of Applied Sciences. Within this category was listed the Department of Biology, with the Divisions of Botany and Plant Pathology, Zoology and Physiology, and Bacteriology and the Department of Geology and Mineralogy, and the Department of Mathematics. More changes are found in the 1919-1920 Bulletin, with a new school called the School of Chemistry and Technology. The Division of Physics is still listed under the School of Mechanic Arts. The departments of Biology, Geology and Mineralogy, and Mathematics are still in the Group of Applied Sciences.

The 1922-1923 Bulletin find the School of Chemistry and Technology with the Departments of Biochemistry, Inorganic and Qualitative Chemistry, Organic and Quantitative Chemistry, and Physical and Industrial Chemistry. The Department of Physics is still under the School of Mechanic Arts. Under a new school titled the School of Science and Literature, the following Departments are listed: Bacteriology, Botany, Geology and Mineralogy, Mathematics, and Zoology and Physiology.

The 1935-1936 Bulletin reflects more changes, with all schools vanishing and replaced by divisions. Under the Division of Applied Arts and Science, the following departments are listed: Botany and Plant Physiology, Geology and Mineralogy, Mathematics, and Zoology and Physiology. The Department of Physics now falls under the Division of Engineering. The 1939-1940 Bulletin show a return to the “school” concept. Under the School of Applied Arts and Sciences (School of Arts and Sciences - 1960-1962) are listed the Departments of Botany, Geology and Mineralogy, Mathematics, and Zoology and Physiology. Under the School of Chemical Technology the Departments are as follows: Inorganic and Qualitative Chemistry, Quantitative Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, Industrial and Physical Chemistry, and Agricultural and Biological Chemistry. The Department of Physics now falls under the School of Engineering.

With NDAC becoming NDSU in December of 1960, the Schools all became Colleges, and this was reflected in the 1960-1962 Bulletin. Under the College of Arts and Sciences, the following Departments are listed: Botany, Geology and Geography, Mathematics, Medical Technology, and Zoology and Physiology. The College of Chemical Technology contained the Departments of Agricultural Bio-Chemistry, Analytical Chemistry, Inorganic Chemistry, Physical Chemistry, and Protective Coatings. The Department of Physics was listed under the College of Engineering and Architecture.

Additional changes were found in the next Bulletin, 1965-1967. All Departments listed under the College of Arts and Sciences remained, but the College of Chemical Technology was replaced by the College of Chemistry and Physics, with the Department of Physics now in this College. The only change in the 1967-1969 Bulletin was that the Wildlife Management option was included in the Department of Zoology and Physiology.

In March of 1973 the Board of Higher Education approved the reorganization of the College of Arts and Sciences and the College of Chemistry and Physics to reduced the disparity in size and complexity. The two new colleges formed were the College of Humanities and Social Sciences the College of Science and Mathematics. The 1974-1976 Bulletin introduced a number of changes. The Department of Geography was within the College of Humanities and Social Sciences. The Departments in the College of Science and Mathematics were: Bacteriology, Biochemistry, Biology, Botany, Chemistry, Computer Science, Entomology, Environmental Studies, Geology, Mathematics, Medical Technology, Physics, Polymers and Coatings, and Zoology and Physiology.

As of the 1980-1982 Bulletin, Geography remained in the College of Humanities and Social Sciences. The College of Science and Mathematics now contained the following areas: Bacteriology, Behavioral Biology, Biochemistry, Botany/Biology, Chemistry, Chemical Physics, Chemistry with Engineering Electives, Composite Science, Computer Science, Engineering Physics, Entomology, Environmental Science, Environmental Studies, Geochemistry, Geology/Earth Science, Management Information Science, Mathematical Sciences, Medical Technology, Physics, Polymers and Coatings, Psychology, Range Management Training, Wildlife and Fisheries Biology, and Zoology.

The 1992-1994 Bulletin saw the move of Geography into the College of Science, which also included the following areas of study: Biological Science, Environmental Studies, Biology, Biotechnology (also with College of Agriculture), Botany, Chemistry [Biochemistry, Geochemistry, Polymers and Coatings], Computer Science, Entomology (also with College of Agriculture), Earth Science, General Science, Mathematics [Actuary Science], Medical Technology, Microbiology (also with College of Agriculture), Physics [Chemical Physics], Psychology, Respiratory Therapy, Statistics, Zoology [Wildlife and Fisheries Biology, Pre-professional programs: Chiropractic, Dentistry, Medicine, Mortuary Science, Optometry, and Osteopathy].

The College of Science and Mathematics, in the 1996-1998 Bulletin had the following areas of study available: Biological Science, Biotechnology, Botany [Environmental Science], Chemistry [Biochemistry, Geochemistry, Polymers and Coatings], Clinical Laboratory Science (Medical Technology), Computer Science, Earth Science, Geography, Geology, Mathematics, Microbiology, Natural Resource Management, Physics [Engineering Physics], Psychology, Respiratory Therapy, Statistics, Zoology [General Zoology; Physiology, Cell Biology, or Health Sciences; Fisheries, Wildlife, Ecology, and Behavior], and the following Pre-professional programs: Chiropractic, Dentistry, Medicine, Mortuary Science, Optometry, and Osteopathy.

The College of Science and Mathematics, in the 1998-2000 Bulletin had the following areas of study available: Biological Science [Environmental Science], Biotechnology, Botany, Chemistry [Biochemistry, Geochemistry, Polymers and Coatings], Pre-Professional Chemistry], Clinic Laboratory Science, Computer Science, Earth Science [Geography, Geology], Mathematics [Pre-Actuarial Science], Microbiology, Natural Resource Management, Physics [Engineering Physics], Psychology, Respiratory Therapy, Statistics, Zoology [General Zoology; Physiology, Cell Biology, or Health Sciences; Fisheries, Wildlife, Ecology, and Behavior], and the following Pre-professional programs: Chiropractic, Dentistry, Medicine, Mortuary Science, Optometry, and Osteopathy.

The 2002-2004 bulletin listed the following majors for the College of Science and Mathematics: Behavioral Statistics, Biological Sciences [Biological Sciences, Environmental Science, Comprehensive Science Education], Biotechnology, Botany, Chemistry [Biochemistry, Chemistry, Polymers and Coatings, Pre-Professional Chemistry], Clinic Laboratory Science, Computer Science, Geosciences [Geography, Geology], Mathematics [Pre-Actuarial Science], Natural Resource Management, Physics [Physics, Engineering Physics, Computational Physics, Optical Science & Engineering Option], Psychology, Respiratory Care, Statistics, and Zoology [General Zoology; Physiology, Cell Biology, or Health Sciences; Fisheries, Wildlife, Ecology, and Behavior.

The 2006-2008 bulletin lists the following departments in the College of Science and Mathematics: Biological Sciences, Chemistry and Molecular Biology, Coatings and Polymeric Materials (name change as of December 1, 2004), Computer Science, Geosciences, Mathematics, Physics, Psychology, and Statistics. Within these departments, the following majors are offered: Behavioral Statistics, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Biological Sciences, Biotechnology, Botany, Chemistry, Computer Science, Geology, Mathematics, Natural Resources Management, Physics, Psychology, Statistics, and Zoology.

The Biological Science Department current configuration dates from July 1, 2000 when the former Departments of Botany/Biology and Zoology merged into the Department of Biological Sciences. The roots of the department go back to the beginnings of the university. In the first annual bulletin for North Dakota Agricultural College (May 1892) “botany and zoology” are listed as one of the eleven course of study available. As of the 1905-1906 Bulletin, Biology was listed as a department, with biology, botany, zoology, physiology, and bacteriology as the course components.

Chemistry and Molecular Biology Department goes back to the beginnings of the university. In the first annual Bulletin for North Dakota Agricultural College (May 1892) “chemistry” is listed as one of the eleven course of study available. As of the 1904-1905 Bulletin, the following the Department of Chemistry and Pharmacy was listed. As of the 1908-1909 Bulletin, under the Department of Chemistry and Pharmacy, there was the Division of Chemistry and the Division of Pharmacy. The 1917-1918 Bulletin lists the School of Chemistry and Pharmacy, with the following divisions: inorganic and qualitative chemistry; agricultural chemistry; quantitative, organic and physical chemistry; food and physiological chemistry; and industrial chemistry. More changes are found in the 1919-1920 Bulletin, with a new school called the School of Chemistry and Technology. The 1922-1923 Bulletin find the School of Chemistry and Technology with the Departments of Biochemistry, Inorganic and Qualitative Chemistry, Organic and Quantitative Chemistry, and Physical and Industrial Chemistry. The 1939-1940 Bulletin lists the School of Chemical Technology, with the departments of Inorganic and Qualitative Chemistry, Quantitative Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, Industrial and Physical Chemistry, and Agricultural and Biological Chemistry. As of the 1965-1967 Bulletin, the College of Chemical Technology was replaced by the College of Chemistry and Physics. In March of 1973, the College of Science and Mathematics was formed, with departments including Biochemistry and Chemistry. List in 1992-1994 Bulletin was the Chemistry department, which was comprised of Biochemistry, Geochemistry, and Polymers and Coatings. In the 2004-2006 Bulletin, the Department of Chemistry and Molecular Biology is first listed.

Today (2009),” Programs leading to the Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Arts degrees in Biochemistry and Chemistry are available. The curriculum leading to the B.S. degree is designed to meet the standards set by the Committee on Professional Training of the American Chemical Society (ACS) for undergraduate courses. Students interested in chemistry education should consult with the School of Education. The department of offers graduate programs leading to the Master of Science (M.S.) and Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degree in Chemistry and in Biochemistry. The department also participates in the interdisciplinary program in Cellular and Molecular Biology.”

Clinical Laboratory Science Department and The Medical Technology major is first found in the 1965-1967 bulletins, within the College of Arts and Sciences. By 1974 the major had moved to the College of Science and Mathematics. As of the 1996-1998 bulletins, the Medical Technology major had became Clinical Laboratory Science. This opened up the options for a registered medical technologist or a clinical laboratory scientist. The Clinical Laboratory Science major moved from the College of Science and Mathematics to the College of Pharmacy, Nursing and Allied Sciences in Spring/Summer 2006.

Computer Science Department was originally offered through the Mathematics Department. (1969-1971). It wasn’t until the 1984-1986 bulletin that the Department of Computer Science is listed. In the 1986-1988 bulletin, it is listed as the Department of Computer Science and Operations Research. As of the 2004-2006 bulletin, it is listed as the Computer Science Department.

Geosciences Department geography was a course of instruction in the School of Education from 1926-1928. From 1928-1938, geography fell within the Department of Geology, Geography and Mineralogy, in the School, then Division, then School again of Arts & Sciences. In 1939 the Department of Geology & Geography was established in the School of Arts and Sciences and remained until 1960, when the Department of Geography was created. In 1992 geography was moved to the College of Science and Mathematics into the Department of Geosciences.

Mathematics Department was one of the original courses mentioned that was to be taught at the college, " The course of instruction shall embrace the English language and literature, mathematics, military tactics, civil engineering, agricultural chemistry, animal and vegetable anatomy and physiology, the veterinary art, entomology, geology, and such other natural sciences as may be prescribed..." p. 12 In the "First Annual Catalogue," May 1892, there is listed the Department of Mathematics and Physics. The courses listed for mathematics were: Algebra, Plane and Solid Geometry, and trigonometry (p. 30). As of the 1893-1894 Bulletin, mathematics has split off from physics and was known as the Department of Mathematics and the courses offered were: algebra, geometry, trigonometry, surveying, physics, calculus, analytical geometry, and descriptive geometry (pp. 37-39). In the 1942-1943 Bulletin (Fifty years after the first Bulletin), the Department of Mathematics, a department within the School of Applied Arts and Sciences, had seven faculty, and listed twenty-seven courses, including: plane geometry; higher algebra; slide rule; differential calculus; theory of equations; mathematics of insurance; and history of mathematics (pp.79-80). In the 1970-1972 Bulletin, under mathematics, now in the College of Arts and Sciences, notes that a major in mathematics is in mathematics and mathematics education. (p. 54). As of 1974, mathematics was a department in the College of Science and Mathematics. As of the 1980-1982 Bulletin, the Department of Mathematical Sciences had been created. "The Department of Mathematical Sciences consists of three separate but closely related programs in Mathematics, Statistics and Computer Science. We offer minors in all three areas and majors are offered in Computer Science, in Mathematics and in Mathematics Education." (p. 123). One hundred years after the issuing of the First Annual Catalogue, mathematics is listed as a single department with majors in mathematics and mathematics education. (1992/1994 NDSU Bulletin). The 2006-2008 NDSU Bulletin lists mathematics as an individual department in the College of Science and Mathematics.

Psychology Department was first found as a course offering under the Department of Education in the 1908-1909 bulletin. Additional courses were offered through the Department of Education, then the School of Education, then the Department of Education again until 1937. In 1937, psychology expands to become a group of course offering under the heading of Education and General Psychology in the Department of General and Vocational Education in the Division of Applied Arts and Sciences. In 1939, under the Division of Education, the Department of Education and Psychology was established. By 1955 the Department was part of the School of Applied Arts and Sciences. In the mid-1960s, the Psychology Department was established in the College of Arts and Humanities. Sometime in 1973-1974, Psychology moved to the College of Science and Mathematics.

Dr. Willard D. Pye was born in 1915 in Merzifon, Turkey. He received his bachelor's degree in geology and mathematics from Oberlin College in 1935, his master's in geophysics and economic geology from California Institute of Technology in 1937, and his doctorate in petroleum and sedimentation from the University of Chicago in 1942. Upon graduation he worked for the National Defense Research Corporation doing classified research the U.S. Chemical Warfare Service. In 1943 he joined the Texas Company as a research geologist in charge of the Idaho-Utah District and in 1946 became the Rocky Mountain Division Research Specialist for the Texas Company. In 1947 he began his association with North Dakota Agricultural College (NDAC) as Chairman and Professor of the Department of Geology and Geography. He stayed at NDAC until the end of June 1957, when he resigned.

Extent

22.5 Linear Feet

Language of Materials

English

Overview

The records of the College of Science and Mathematics, as whole, consists of annual reports (1982 - 2003-2004 [gaps), faculty lists (1990), faculty evaluation (1975, 1975-1980), faculty annuals reports (1987), Honors Day (1993), faculty workshops (1977, 1978), Expanding Your Horizons (1980, 2000-2003), recruitment/public relations (1960s – 2004 [gaps]), and historical background (1950).

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Transferred by Unknown (Unknown Acc.#).

Legal Status

The NDSU Archives owns the property rights to this collection.
Title
Finding Aid to the College of Science and Mathematics Records
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin

Repository Details

Part of the University Archives Repository

Contact:
West Building
3551 7th Avenue N
Fargo North Dakota 58102 United States