Vision of the Faculty

The Faculty of Science to be a center of scientific and technological excellence nationally and internationally.   

Mission of the Faculty

To develop honest, adaptable productive citizens:

• To articulate and promote interaction with public and private sector and society at large, with the view to contributing towards the development of the nation.
• To institute mechanisms for partnership programs for improving resources and infrastructure facilities.

INTRODUCTION

The Faculty of Science is clearly distinguished by it icon, the University tower, which is located in the heart of the Faculty. The tower and the associated buildings had come up in the early part of the last century and were used by the University College till the establishment of the University of Ceylon in 1942. Though a section of the University moved to Peradeniya thereafter, the Faculty of Science remained in Colombo to become part of the University of Colombo in 1967 and later University of Ceylon, Colombo. With the establishment of a single University in 1972, Colombo became one of the five campuses of the University of Sri Lanka. Colombo regained autonomous University status with the University Act of 1978.

The infrastructure of the Faculty developed greatly in the recent past, based on a development program established in 1974. The program has resulted in new multi-storied building for the Department of Chemisty, Physics, Plant Sciences and Zoology. The Department of Statictics shares a new building with the University of Colombo School of Computing while Mathematics occupies the building annexed to the tower. The development plan also includes a new building for Zoology, extensions to Plant Sciences, a new Science Library Complex and another complex housing an auditorium, student centre and a staff centre on the site presently occupied by the New Arts Theatre.

Presently the Faculty of Science has 1660 undergraduates students and 117 postgraduate students, 84 academic staff and 94 non-academic staff. The Faculty consists of the Department of Chemisty, Mathematics, Nuclear Science, Physics, Plant Sciences, Statistics and Zoology and conducts courses leading to the B.Sc. general degree (03 years duration) and B.Sc. special degree (04 years duration). A range of subject combinations is available for the general degree while special degree programs are available in several areas. The Faculty together with the University of Colombo School of Computing offers several joint special degree programs as well.

The Faculty of Science also conducts several postgraduate programs leading to the Master of Science degree and postgraduate diplomas. The Faculty plays a very active role in research and there are many research students reading for Ph.D. and M.Phil degrees. Through the research programs the Faculty and the Departments have established strong links with both Sri Lankan and foreign research organizations. Several members of the Faculty academic staff have been recipients of the 'Presidential Awards' for Scientific Research, awarded by the President through the National Research Council. The members of the Faculty also pay a prominent role in national development. Several members act as resource persons, consultants and board members in many governmental and non-governmental organizations.

The Faculty provides a peaceful learning environment and for the past several years all study programs were concluded within the stipulated time period of 3 or 4 years. The students also have access to many co-curricular activities offered by both the Faculty and the University. The Faculty is the most sought after by students intending to read for a degree in Science and according to the latest published data, the rate of employment of the graduates of the Faculty is very high. Hence the Faculty of Science at Colombo occupies a pivotal position among the Science Faculties in Sri Lankan Universities.

Dean

Senior Assistant Registrar