Faculty history

Science has been an important part of the University of Auckland since its earliest days. Watch the video to learn more or check out the timeline.

1883

Auckland University College opens, offering scholarships in Botany, Zoology, Chemistry and Physics.

Of the four professors teaching at the time, three teach science subjects.

1914

The Departments of Physics and Chemistry are officially established.

1957

Psychology becomes its own department when it separates from mental science in Philosophy.

1962

The Leigh Marine Laboratory is founded and later goes on to play a major role in the development of New Zealand’s first marine reserve, established in 1975.

1966

The Queen Mother officially opens the University's new science building.

1980

A Department of Computer Science is founded; it is the only department in the University without a computer.

1990

Department of Mathematics alumnus Vaughan Jones wins the Fields Medal, one of the highest honours a mathematician can receive.

1993

The Department of Statistics creates the R project. R goes on to be one of the world's most widely used statistical analysis software packages.

To help attract and retain Māori and Pacific students in science, the faculty establishes the Tuākana Programme.

1994

The University opens the Department of Sport and Exercise Science.

2002

Environmental Science amalgamates with the Department of Geography to become the School of Environmental.

2011

Goat Island Marine Discovery Centre opens to the public. The Centre now receives around 11,000 visitors a year.

2014

The faculty launches a Gender Equity Platform to ensure a positive, inclusive and equitable university experience for all women.

2016

The George Mason Centre for the Natural Environment is founded.

2017

The University officially opens the brand-new Science Centre.

2019

The Department of Computer Science becomes the School of Computer Science.