History

Since 1875 Wellesley has had a strong record in educating women scientists.

Wellesley's academic program was designed to meet the highest standards, with a primary emphasis on English, Mathematics, the Physical Sciences, and the Classics. Wellesley's physics laboratory for undergraduate instruction opened in 1878; it was the second such laboratory in the US, preceded only by MIT. Winifred Edgerton (class of 1883) earned a Ph.D. in mathematics at Columbia University in 1886, the first woman to earn any degree at Columbia. Dorothy Weeks '16 was the first woman to earn a doctorate in mathematics at MIT. Annie Jump Cannon (class of 1884) was the first woman awarded the National Academy of Sciences Henry Draper Medal, in 1931. In its 130-year history, Wellesley has had only 12 presidents, all women, two of whom were mathematicians.

Upcoming Events

 

Monday, Sept 30, SCI 362/364

Laura Bruno is this week's speaker in the student seminar. She'll give a talked entitled School's in Session: The Locker Problem. We'll meet in 362 for lunch around 12:20, then head over to 364 around 12:35 to hear the talk.
 

Thursday, Oct 17, SCI 362/396

Ruth Charney from the Brandeis will give the 12th annual Heard Lecture.  The title of her talk is Robotics and Geometry. We'll meet around 3:45 for some refreshments and socializing before heading to room 396 for the talk at 4:15.  Everyone is welcome to attend!  Afterward the department will hold a banquet dinner in honor of the speakers.  Students who are interested in joining us for the dinner should speak with a professor or with Melanie.

 

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