The Faculty of Mathematical, Physical and Natural Sciences (S.M.F.N) was founded with the University of Calabria in 1968, motivated by the belief that scientific methods and avant guard scientific research is the foundation of all technological innovations and thus essential for the social as well as economic future of the Region of Calabria, which in the 60s was among one of the most impoverished areas in Europe. 

Believing that scientific and technological research plays an important role in local economic growth and social emancipation, members of the Faculty have put forth their fullest to establish international standards of scientific and technological research at UNICAL. Within three decades, the Faculty of Sciences had begun to acquire international acclaim for scientific research, and today is the seat to numerous internationally renowned research groups who publish and collaborate extensively with their international counterparts. This success reflects the enthusiasm that the numerous young faculty members and researchers have invested in developing not only the Faculty of Sciences at UNICAL but also the region of Calabria itself. A recent nationwide evaluation by the Ministry of Education regarding the quality of academic research throughout Italian universities (CIVR) rated the Faculty of Sciences at UNICAL among one of the best on a local, and more importantly, national level. Considering the tradition and history behind many much older Italian universities, such results from a ‘young’ Faculty reflect the enthusiasm and diligence of our Faculty members. In fact, sound scientific research inevitably increases the quality of teaching within a Faculty, and this quality is reflected in the rapid and successful employment of our graduates within all professional sectors. Likewise, such elevated research standards and technological know-how are constantly being transferred to the numerous small high-tech enterprises which have been established throughout the area, and which, in time, have become well-consolidated companies.

In response to more local professional needs, in the 2001-2002 academic year, the Faculty expanded its more traditional First and Second Level Specialist Degrees of Mathematics, Chemistry, Physics, Biology, Geology, and Natural Sciences to include First and Second Level Degrees in Computer Sciences and The Science and Techniques for the Restoration and Conservation of Cultural Heritage and Material Sciences. Likewise, the Faculty of Sciences, in collaboration with other Faculties (Engineering, Humanities and Economics), offers Degrees in The Science of Primary School Education and Geo-Topo-Carto-graphical Sciences. Finally, Doctoral Degree Programmes are also well established within the more traditional and consolidated research groups based at the Faculty, providing young graduates the opportunity to gain research training in numerous prestigious national as well as international research institutions. 

In addition to maintaining international research standards, the Faculty of Sciences has always willingly embraced didactic innovations: In accordance with the Italian University Reform Act of 2000, in the 2000-2001 Academic Year, the Faculty of Sciences at UNICAL was one of the first in Italy to implement the 3-year First Level Degree Programme, with the first graduates in 2003 and graduates of the subsequent 2-year Second Level Specialist Degree in 2005. With this Reform, course content was redefined into modular teaching units and learning opportunities for the students were further improved by maintaining class sizes to a maximum of 60 students which are further subdivided into smaller groups of 25-30 students for laboratory practicum. This guarantees maximum contact between students and instructors and optimizes classroom interaction and learning, as confirmed through positive evaluations from quality control surveys. In addition, the Faculty offers students extra support through Tutors who provide more personalised assistance to students throughout their studies.

As of the 2009-2010 Academic Year, the Faculty will incorporate the New Reform Guidelines of 2005, further improving upon the didactics, courses and learning opportunities that students will receive, at all levels of their education. Updated information regarding Admission Tests, preparatory courses, students orientation and support will be available at www.smfn.unical.it