About NatSci

The College of Natural Science promotes excellence in research, teaching, and public service across the biological, physical, and mathematical sciences.

The College of Natural Science at Michigan State University is home to 28 departments and programs in the biological, physical and mathematical sciences.

The college averages $28 M in research expenditures annually while providing world-class educational opportunities to more than 5,000 undergraduate majors and nearly 1,000 graduate students. There are approximately 325 faculty and staff associated with NatSci and more than 40,000 living alumni worldwide.

The college is led by Dean R. James Kirkpatrick. For administrative items related to finance, budget, research, student affairs, administration, development, and communications, contact the appropriate department within the Office of the Dean.

MSU College of Natural Science Mission Statement

The College of Natural Science promotes excellence in research, teaching, and public service across the biological, physical, and mathematical sciences. The College provides innovative undergraduate and graduate programs that prepare students to be leaders in an increasingly sophisticated scientific and technological society. These programs grow and evolve in an environment that values multidisciplinary and cross-college collaborations and builds on the advantages that a diverse student body brings to a dynamic community of scholars. The College assumes a leadership role in preparing all Michigan State University students with the fundamental scientific and quantitative proficiencies critical to a quality liberal education. Key to excellence is the College’s commitment to advancing knowledge through progressive graduate-research programs and undergraduate research experiences. This commitment is manifest in our ability to enhance student learning, promote basic scientific understanding of nature, and develop the technical and human resources necessary to address the current and future needs of society.

More specifically, the College will:

  1. Search for an improved scientific understanding of nature and meet societal needs by providing creative and dynamic graduate and research programs;
  2. Provide undergraduate major programs that offer a structured, timely, comprehensive education;
  3. Provide science and mathematics courses appropriate for students majoring in disciplines in other colleges;
  4. Provide fundamental science and mathematics education to non-science students across the university;
  5. Support public service activities by providing faculty expertise to state and federal government agencies, to industries, to educational systems, and to professionals desiring additional scientific education or advice, and by serving as a scientific resource for the citizens of Michigan.