About the College of Physical and Mathematical Sciences » Our Vision

Our vision is two-fold. First, we will continue our tradition of overall educational and research quality through effective instruction and rich experiences that prepare our students to succeed in today's multidisciplinary work environment.

Second, we will achieve world-wide prominence and leadership in strategically chosen areas that leverage our strengths and allow us to make powerful impacts on science, the economy, the environment, and quality of human life. These fields include nanotechnology, bioinformatics, computational modeling, and air and water quality.

A Foundation for Achievement

The College has a solid record of achievement in all facets of higher education. However, we do not rest on our past performance. Every day, we strive to improve the educational experience for our students, produce research with real-life impact and inspire others to join us in discovery. We actively engage the community, working side-by-side with public agencies and private organizations to solve real-world problems. We work collaboratively with our research partners to answer today's most intriguing questions and to provide our students with early exposure to the workplace.

We create innovation that transforms instruction

The College's history of innovative instruction sets us apart from many institutions. Modern instructional tools and methods are developed by our faculty and implemented in our classrooms, resulting in greater success for all student groups - especially for those traditionally underrepresented in the sciences. We lead the way in Web-based learning and student-centered learning environments. We emphasize research at the undergraduate level, giving our students practical knowledge early in their academic experience. Many other universities have adopted educational methods developed here in the College.

We make discoveries that improve human condition and fuel economic growth

We envision NC State as the place to be in areas that build on our current strengths and are shaped by opportunities for partnership. Many of these areas - like nanoscale science, biological materials, bioinformatics and environmental sustainability - not only cross the traditional boundaries of our own disciplines in the physical, mathematical and computational sciences, but also engage faculty and students in research at the intersection of our disciplines with the biological and biomedical sciences.

It is at this interface that some of today's most exciting science is happening, and where many of the most important discoveries will be made for the foreseeable future. Our leadership in these strategic cross-disciplinary areas will create tomorrow's workforce, improve the human condition, and fuel economic growth for our state, our nation, and our world.

We foster educational partnerships that fill the pipeline of future students, scientists and policy leaders

Our commitment to transforming instruction extends to K-12 partnerships developed through The Science House.

Nationally recognized as a model for sustained outreach interactions between university science and mathematics departments and K-12 educators, The Science House annually serves more than 3,000 teachers and 20,000 students by promoting hands-on, inquiry-based learning and by introducing more students to careers in science, mathematics, engineering and technology.

Through teacher-training and student programs, The Science House ensures that K-12 teachers are prepared to teach, and that students are engaged, with appropriate methods, equipment and technologies. The Science House also works to include all segments of the community, particularly those groups underrepresented in science and mathematics careers.