Our History
History of Science at the University of Melbourne
- 1855
The Quadrangle, including a physics laboratory on the first floor, is opened
- 1856
Work begins on the System Garden, a botanical garden planted according to a classification system and circling out from a central conservatory
- 1861
A Certificate Course in Physics is offered for the first time
- 1864
The Natural History Museum is established to house the collection of the Professor of Natural Science, Frederick McCoy. Including the skeleton of a blue whale, the collection was later moved to what would become Museum Victoria. The first Chairs in Natural Philosophy and Chemistry are established, awarded to H. Martyn Andrew and John Drummond Kirkland respectively
- 1886
The Bachelor of Science and the Doctor of Science are established
- 1887
Walter Baldwin Spencer is appointed as the foundation Chair of Biology
- 1889
John Walter Gregory is appointed as the foundation Chair of Geology
- 1903
The Faculty of Science is officially established
- 1930
The Faculty of Science has 35 staff across six departments, with Natural Philosophy being the largest department in the University, with 10 staff
- 1941
The School of Forestry is established, along with a new campus at Creswick
- 1964
The Department of Genetics is established
- 1968
The Bachelor of Science in Education course is conducted in both first and second years for the first time
- 1980
The School of Forestry at Creswick formally joins the University
- 1981
The School of Earth Sciences is established
- 1996
Departments of Statistics and Mathematics combine to form the Department (later School) of Mathematics and Statistics
- 2005
Bio21 Molecular Science and Biotechnology Institute opens
- 2008
The introduction of the 'Melbourne Model' sees the Bachelor of Science expand to encompass majors in engineering, IT, and medical and health sciences
- 2014
The Faculty of Science expands to include the new Schools of Geography and Ecosystem and Forest Sciences, and the Office for Environmental Programs. The Faculty takes over management of Burnley and Creswick campuses
- 2015
The School of Botany and Departments of Zoology and Genetics amalgamate to form the School of BioSciences. The Bio21 Institute celebrates its tenth anniversary
- 2016
Burnley campus celebrates 125 years of horticulture teaching