The College of Science was founded strategically to begin with a few graduate institutes, which consisted of basic disciplines of Mathematics and Natural and Earth Sciences, at National Chung Cheng University. Institutes of Mathematics and Natural Sciences are the foundation of the College, while Graduate Institute of Seismology was specifically established for the unique natural geographic environment of the Chiayi-Tainan area of Taiwan.
Mathematics, the mother of all sciences, the Department of Mathematics was the first undergraduate program of the College and expanded rapidly as one of the most comprehensive academic units of the University. Since the founding of the department, studies on Algebra, Applied Mathematics, Complex Analysis, Differential Equations, Differential Geometry, Numerical Analysis and Number Theory have been the research focus and established high level of excellence. The Department provides a quality learning environment of both theory and practice in order to enable students to acquire an excellent understanding of mathematics and analytical ability, and thus enhance their potential for the future. In recent years, the Department integrates existing mathematical courses and offers the following optional programs: Applied Mathematics, Computer Science, Management Science, Mathematical Physics and Statistical Science. The integrated scheme of courses allows students a broader opportunity for future career development.
The Department of Physics and the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry share the same goals of enhancing the scientific level and upgrading of industry in a national scope. The research focuses in the Department of Physics include the areas of Physics of Magnetism and Superconductivity, Nano-materials and Device Physics, Electro-optical Physics, Surface Physics, Atomic Optics and Laser Cooling, and Theoretical and Computational Physics. In terms of teaching, laboratories of General Physics, Electricity and Magnetism, Modern Physics, Opto-electronics and Applied Optics are equipped with state-of-the art facilities. The Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry is committed to excellence in education and research in the fundamental chemical sciences, such as synthetic chemistry, analytical chemistry, spectroscopy, and thenerical and computational chemistry, as well as exploring research fields related to biotechnology and materials science. The Department accommodates modern teaching laboratories of General Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, Analytical Chemistry and Physical Chemistry fulfilling regulations of safety and environmental protection. The Department also provides a series of cutting-edge shared equipments for both teaching and research. The Department of Physics and the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry have actively integrated on materials science research and aim at becoming a characteristics of our university.
To promote seismological studies and monitoring of southern Taiwan, the Institute of Seismology was established and has been recognized as a research, teaching and service center in Earth Science. In addition, in order to integrate the research fields in Geology and Geophysics as well as the critical environmental concerns in Taiwan, the Graduate Institute of Applied Geophysics was established in 1994. The characteristics of teaching and research are based on the integration of research methods in various disciplines to enhance students' ability in basic sciences and computer skills, while endow the concept of sustainability. Finally, actual participation of field study and using of instruments will nurture personnel in the field of Earth Science.
The Department of Life Science was established to (1) expand the scope of the College of Science, (2) promote education and research of Biotechnology, (3) meet the current needs of the biotechnology industry, (4) aim to train personnel in the field of life sciences, (5) balance development in all areas of life sciences, and (6) guide students to understand the direction of the latest developments in biotechnology and finally build the foundation for students to pursue a career in the biotechnology industry.
Teaching and research are the two sides and the buttress of the sustainable development of the College of Science. The interplay of both sides benefits the effectiveness of personnel training. Therefore, in the course of imparting scientific knowledge, we emphasize the importance of commitment, motivation of learning, and excellence in research. For the past two decades, our achievements in research have been recognized in academia. Finally, based on the continuation of the existing foundation on the positive vision of the College of Science at the National Chung Cheng University, we hope to strengthen the biological sciences curriculum and promote the integration of biological sciences and related research to contribute to the biotechnology industry of the nation.