The Faculty of Science originated as a combined Science, Arts and Education Faculty in 1966/67. In 1971, it acquired an independent status vide the Amiri Decree of October 20, 1971, leading to the separation of Science from Arts and Education components. The newly constituted Faculty of Science had six Departments -- Mathematics, Chemistry, Physics, Zoology, Botany and Geology. In 1977, the Department of Biochemistry was added, and in 1989 the Department of Statistics & Operations Research. In 1997, the Departments of Zoology, Botany & Microbiology and Biochemistry were merged under the unified umbrella of the new Department of Biological Sciences. Like wise, a new Department of Earth & Environmental Sciences was established by grouping together Geology, Desert Studies, Marine and Environmental Sciences.

The Faculty has nearly 3000 students and 191 staff members. A comprehensive evaluation of programs ensures academic quality to turn out competent graduates for community and national needs. The Faculty contributes to community services, provides technical and scientific support to public and private sectors, organizes work shops and training courses for public’s benefit, and effectively contributes to country’s development. The faculty has world class facilities and resources, including the Electron Microscopy Unit, Computer Center, Statistics Laboratory, Central and Glass Workshops, Liquid Nitrogen Unit, Herbarium, Marine Biology Unit, Green House, Geology Museum, SAF and Analab facilities.

High school graduates joining the faculty, are accepted under two categories -- Biological Sciences and Mathematical and Natural Sciences. The Faculty offers Bachelor’s degree in Zoology, Botany, Microbiology, Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Mathematics, Computer Science, Chemistry, Physics, Applied Physics, Geology, Desert Sciences, Marine Sciences, Applied Statistics, and Statistics & Operations Research. The Master’s degree is offered in Pure & Applied Mathematics, Computer Science, Chemistry, Physics, Zoology, Botany, Microbiology, Biochemistry, Geology, and Statistics & Operations Research. The doctoral program is offered in Chemistry and Mathematics, leading to the award of PhD degree. A student requires a total of 126 credits for graduating, and English is the medium of instruction.

The Faculty’s 114 teaching and 88 research laboratories are equipped with state-of-the-art advanced scientific instrumentation for research, analysis and consultative work. In addition, the faculty ensures an enriching research environment with several sponsored and General Facility Projects.

Faculty advisors are available to assist the students in choosing the most appropriate programs of study.

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