The William J. and John F.Kennedy College of Sciences at the University of Massachusetts Lowell is so named for the Kennedy family and their contributions to the campus. John F. Kennedy is an alumnus of the Lowell Technological Institute Class of 1970. The Lowell Technological Institute merged with the Lowell State College to become the University of Lowell in 1972. It joined the UMass system in 1991 to become Umass Lowell. The William J. and John F. Kennedy College of Sciences at the University of Massachusetts Lowell comprises six departments: Biological Sciences, Chemistry, Computer Science, Environmental, Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, Mathematical Sciences, and Physics & Applied Physics. The Dean of the Kennedy College of Sciences is Noureddine Melikechi, D.Phil.
The College of Arts & Sciences was created when the College of Pure & Applied Science and the College of Liberal Arts were merged.
College of Arts & Sciences – Division of Sciences: 1996 to 2010 College of Arts & Sciences – Division of Fine Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences: 1996-2010
The College of Arts & Sciences was split into two Divisions within the College with Deans for each Division. The College of Fine Arts was merged into the Division of Humanities and Social Sciences to form the Division of Fine Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences
College of Sciences: 2010 to 2015
The College of Arts & Sciences – Division of Sciences and the College of Arts & Sciences – Division of Fine Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences officially split in 2010 to form individual Colleges.
William J. and John F. Kennedy College of Sciences: 2015 to Present
The College of Sciences was renamed in 2015 to be known as the William J. and John F. Kennedy College of Sciences. William J. Kennedy ’54 is the late older brother of John F. Kennedy ‘70. Both are alumni of UMass Lowell’s predecessor college, Lowell Technological Institute.
History of the Deans
Departments
Biological Sciences
The Department of Biological Sciences degree programs are Biology, Bioinformatics, Biotechnology and Ecology, as well as the option to minor in biological sciences. Dr. Michael Graves is the interim chair of the department. The department has more than 20 professors and lecturers.
Chemistry
The Department of Chemistry trains students to be technical chemists as well as allowing them to explore research pathways. Chemistry students also have the option to focus in Forensic Science. Dr. David Ryan is the chair of the department and specializes in Analytical and Environmental Chemistry. The Chemistry Department has 20+ faculty.
Computer science
The Department of Computer Science offers degree programs and is also home to a Robotics minor program. The chair of the department is Dr. Haim Levkowitz, who focuses on graphics, imaging and user interfaces.
Environmental, Earth and Atmospheric Sciences
The Department of Environmental, Earth and Atmospheric Sciences focuses on earth sciences such as meteorology, environmental studies and geology. The Department Chair is Dr. Daniel Obrist, appointed in 2017. Dr. Obrist focuses on environmental pollution and atmospheric science.
Mathematical Sciences
Dr. Tibor Beke is the chair of the department. Some of the concentrations in the math department include Applied and Computational Mathematics, Business Applications, Statistics and a teaching option.
Physics and Applied Physics
The Physics Department has produced cutting-edge research that is used in high tech fields across the world. In 2016 a professor from the department and the Dean launched a satellite to Mars with NASA. UMass Lowell's research nuclear reactor has done work with NASA, the army and many private high tech companies. The chair of the Department is Dr. Robert Giles, who specializes in experimental laser physics and optics.
The New England Robotics Validation and Experimentation Center provides a research, testing and training facility to academic researchers and corporations who work with robotics. Some partnerships include iRobot, Google, and NASA. The Space Science Lab conducts experimental and analytical research to provide scholars and companies with information regarding the atmosphere and space sciences. The UML Submillimeter Wave Technology Lab uses terahertz radar technology to create 3D scattering and imaging solutions to sponsors.
