History of Science of Zhejiang University

“Qiushi Academy”, predecessor of Zhejiang University, was set up in 1897, which is one of the oldest institutions of higher learning in China. In the initial stage of its establishment there were subjects of mathematics, physics and chemistry, and instrument chambers for physics and chemical laboratories as well. In 1928, it was named Zhejiang University, later in August, Arts & Science College of Zhejiang University was founded, Shao Peizi acted as president, which was the predecessor of College of Science of Zhejiang University. Disciplines of science set in the College include mathematics disciplinary section, physics disciplinary section, chemistry disciplinary section and psychology disciplinary section, etc. Later, the disciplinary section was renamed department. In 1930 several departments including Psychology Department were halted. Till 1936, there set in College of Arts & Science seven departments as Foreign Language Department, Education Department, History & Geography Department, Mathematics Department, Physics Department, Chemistry Department and Biology Department. When in 1936, Zhu Kezhen, the reputed meteorologist and educationalist, took the position of president of Zhejiang University, the science discipline in Zhejiang University had owned a band of famous professors such as Chen Jiangong, Su Buqing, Zhang Shaozhong, Bei Shizhang, Zhou Houfu and Shu Beixing, etc. After Zhu kezhen came into office of president, he went to invite physical scientists Hu Gangfu, Wang Ganchang, chemists Wangjin to join in Zhejiang University, thus, large gathering of men of talents turned available in the science discipline of Zhejiang University and a dynamic development momentum turned up. In 1939, College of Arts & Science was divided and Hu Gangfu played as president of College of Science. At that time in College of Science, there set Mathematics Department, Physics Department, Chemistry Department and Biology Department, together with Math Research Institute and Biological Research Institute.

In 1937, Anti-Japan War broke out fully, under the leadership of president Zhu Kezhen, the faculties and students moved westward with the school and passed the arduous extraordinary period of 9 years. During that time, under the rather simple and crude conditions, the faculties and students of College of Science stuck to teaching and scientific researches, a group of outstanding scientific research achievements excelled, for instance, geometry differential coefficient by Su Buqing, trigonometric function by Chen Jiangong, neutrinos research by Wang Ganjin, theory of relativity by Shu Beixing, atomistic research by Zhou Houfu, research of sexual heritage and sexual gene by Bei Shizhang, research of intelligence test and personality test by Chenli and so on. In the same period, a great number of elitists were fostered in College of Science of Zhejiang University such as Li Zhendao, Cheng Kaijia, Gu Chaohao and Hu Jimin, etc. The College of Science got increasingly famed, Doctor Joseph. Needham, who was a member of The UK National Academy of Science and biologist in Cambridge University, visited Zhejiang University two times in 1944, in particular, after called on College of Science of Zhejiang University located at Meitan in Guizhou, he extolled Zhejiang University as “Cambridge of the East”. In 1946 Zhejiang University returned back eastward, till March 1948, there were five departments of mathematics, physics, chemistry, biology and pharmacology and four research institutes of mathematics, physics, chemistry and biology in College of Science.

In 1952, readjustment of China's Tertiary Education System in 1952 was seen, a major part of College of Science of Zhejiang University was merged into Fudan University while other part into Zhejiang Normal College, in 1958 Zhejiang Normal College and the newly-founded Hangzhou University incorporated and it was named Hangzhou University. After that, various departments in the science discipline turned rebuilt in succession in Zhejiang University and Hangzhou University. After the development lasting nearly half a century, the science discipline sharing the same origin acquired quite great progresses in Zhejiang University and Hangzhou University, etc.

In September 1998, under the push and leadership of the State Education Ministry and Zhejiang Provincial People’s Government, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou University, Zhejiang Agriculture University and Zhejiang Medical University reunited into a new Zhejiang University. In July 1999, new College of Science of Zhejiang University was established.