Hall of Languages, built in 1871–73, was the first building constructed on the Syracuse University campus
The College of Arts and Sciences was founded in 1871 as the College of Liberal Arts and offered courses in algebra, geometry, Latin, Greek, history, physiology, education, and rhetoric.[1] John Raymond French, a professor of mathematics, served as the first dean of the college.[3]
Prior to the completion of Hall of Languages in 1873, classes were held in a rental property in downtown Syracuse.[1] The college's curriculum steadily expanded over the years, such as the establishment of biology and geology department in 1891,[4] the predecessor of today's department of biology and department of earth and environmental sciences.[5] Construction of the Physics Building, which was partially funded by a $1.58 million National Science Foundation grant, was completed in 1967 to house the growing physics department.[1][6]
Life Sciences Complex at Syracuse University
The College of Liberal Arts was renamed the College of Arts and Sciences in 1970 to reflect the breadth of its curriculum.[1]
In 2008, the University’s largest academic construction project — the $107 million, 200,000-square-foot Life Sciences Complex — was completed and, for the first time, combined the departments of biology and chemistry under the same roof.[1][7]
Following the tenure of George M. Langford,[1] Karin Ruhlandt, chair of the department of chemistry, was named dean of the College of Arts and Sciences in January 2015.[8] Having served more than 7 years as dean, she stepped down in June 2022.[9] Lois Agnew, associate dean of curriculum, innovation and pedagogy, was named interim dean while a national search for Ruhlandt’s permanent replacement commenced.[9]
Behzad Mortazavi, former chair and professor of biological sciences at the University of Alabama, was named the new dean of the College of Arts & Sciences in March 2023. His appointment began on July 1, 2023.[10]
Academics
The College of Arts and Sciences is a selective liberal arts college. It is home to research centers and institutes such as the Syracuse University Humanities Center, the BioInspired Institute, and the Forensic and National Security Sciences Institute (FNSSI).[11] It offers over 50 bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degree programs in the natural sciences, mathematics, and the humanities, as well as the social sciences in collaboration with the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs.[2]
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