The Wiess School of Natural Sciences is a school at Rice University in Houston, Texas. It consists of the departments of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Chemistry, Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Earth Science, Mathematics, and Physics and Astronomy. Rice is well-known for its groundbreaking research in nanotechnology. One of Rice's greatest minds and pioneers of nanotechnology was Richard Smalley, the Norman Hackerman Professor of Chemistry and Professor of Physics and Astronomy. Smalley received the Nobel Prize (along with Robert Curl) in 1996 for the discovery buckminsterfullerene, a form of carbon commonly referred to as "buckyballs".

About Natural Science at Rice

Rice has historically been known for its strength in the sciences. Its Department of Space Science was the first in the nation. The land on which the Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center was built was donated by Rice University. Following this, President John F. Kennedy made a speech at Rice Stadium calling on the United States of America to develop its space program further.

Rice is also known for its emphasis on undergraduate education. The Wiess School of Natural sciences offers research experience for its students. The premedical students in particular benefit from the nearby Texas Medical Center which offers many opportunities for research.

Organization

The dean of the school is Kathleen S. Matthews. The Associate dean is Andrew Barron and the assistant deans are Rachel Miller and Mary Widner.

External links

• Wiess School of Natural Sciences
• Rice University
• Texas Medical Center