History of the faculty; the faculty of physical sciences was created out of the former faculty of sciences in the 1973/74 academic year. In other word, it is known as faculty of science at the inception of the university in 1960. The faculty of physical sciences is made up of six Departments:
- Department of Computer Science
- Department of Geology
- Department of Mathematics
- Department of physics and Astronomy
- Department of Pure and Industrial Chemistry
- Department of Statistics
Thus, the Faculty consists of departments carrying out research into and disseminating knowledge in those basic science with a common Mathematical heritage. Each of the department offer a single honours B.Sc. degree programme in its subject area except the department of Pure and Industrial Chemistry , which offers two degree programmes ,one in Pure Chemistry and the other in Industrial Chemistry. However at present, the departments two degree programme have been harmonized into one pure and Industrial Chemistry degree programme starting with the 2001/2002 intake. In addition, the Faculty runs several inter disciplinary B.Sc. combined programmes some in co-operation with the Faculty of biological and Social Sciences. Each combined programme offers courses in two subject area and its student take equal numbers of credit units from both subjects. This programme is therefore different from the more common major –minor combination which requires a 60-40 credit unit mix.
The main academic units and facilities of the Faculty are located in a number of building at the Nsukka campus of the University. On Owere-Eze Road is carver building , the original home for the entire faculty, which now houses the Dean’s office, some of the offices ,classrooms and laboratories of the department of physics and astronomy and pure and industrial chemistry. During reconstruction work during Prof. Bathlome Okolo’s Administration, the department of Geology with its facilities, and some physics, chemistry and computer science laboratory that were located in the Jimbaz building at intersection of George Johnson Street and Alumni road were ejected. Except for the Dean’s office that were relocated to carver building suitable accommodation is yet to be made available to others. Sprawling behind carver and across into the opposite side of alumni road are staff offices, postgraduate and research laboratory of the department physics and astronomy and pure and industrial chemistry. New science Lecture Theater was among them but has been demolished. However, the faculty has a student lecture theater built during prof. Nebo’s Administration. The so called mathematics and statistics, or the Abuja building of Eni Njoku Street and perhaps the most imposing building complex on campus, contains the classrooms and staff offices of the department of mathematics, statistics and computer science as well as other laboratories of the department of physics and astronomy, and pure and industrial chemistry. Four departments, computer science, mathematics, physics and astronomy, statistics also have outputs in the Enugu campus of the University to service faculties located in that campuses.
There is a building besides the Abuja building known as the white house where department of geology and its classrooms, conference room and offices are housed. One of the greatest strengths of the faculty is the caliber of its academic and support staff. As first generation institution and the place where the action was, the University of Nigeria was able to attract the best from within Nigeria and abroad in its early days. The faculty of physical sciences has been able to keep the Nigerian component of this core staff and in addition was the produce the former vice-chancellor of this and other University like Prof. I.O.C Ezeilo, Prof C.S. Onwumechi, Prof Ndili and Prof C. Ikoku. The Faculty has produce distinguished researchers who have by their research and other activities played and are still playing prominent the course of higher education in the country.
As a group, the faculty has been sensitive to national issues of concern to our student.in March 1993, the faculty organized a well-attended National workshop on the Development of basic science in Nigeria. The workshop not only brought the problems besetting the basic science into the National consciousness but also articulated a set of solution for consideration and use of by policy makers and administrators. In 1988, the faculty in response to the continued dwindling enrolment in the physical science brought out a booklet physical sciences; scope cared opportunities and job opportunities for physical science graduates.
Students in the faculty of physical science have direct access to the faculty in its human and material resources .the faculty stands for excellence in academic pursuit and demands a similar commitment from its student .Although all student are not equally endowed yet all are required to give the best, to dedicate their energies an talents to acquiring competence in both knowledge and the techniques necessary to enable them successful tackle problems they will encounter in real life.
The faculty believes that a sizable majority, if not all the student are capable of meeting these requirement. On this fashion can our country make any progress in the transition from being a scientific consumer nation to being a scientific producer nation?
Apart from the administrative function performed by the dean, the faculty officers and other support staff and academic activities of the faculty are overseen by various committees of which the academic staff the members. The faculty is always prompt in handling appraisal matters of staff. The faculty has strong student union with an academic staff as its staff adviser. The union has often assisted the faculty by providing certain office material and equipment at academic years in which it received fund under Goods/services. At the moment, the faculty does not have and some important office equipment such as photocopying machine around computer and its accessories for the relevant staff. The building where the Deans office is housed has functional toilet faculties and no pipe born water supply. The offices of the faculty at carver have not been fully renovated.
