Although the Faculty of Exact Sciences of the National
University of the Center of Buenos Aires (
UNICEN, Spanish acronym) was created as such in 1975, its
activities originally started in April, 1965 under the name of
Faculty of Physics and Mathematics of the University of Tandil.
Out of 40 initial students, only two of them obtained their
degree from the University of Tandil: Maria Delia Ayciriex and
Baltasar Ortega were the first Bachelors in Physical and
Mathematical Sciences.
While students were doing their degrees in Industrial
Engineering, Teaching and Bachelor in Physics and Mathematics, this
faculty was facing serious economic problems; however, thanks to
the efforts made by truly determined pioneers, the Faculty
constructed its history like the rest of the faculties of this
university.
Holding a degree of engineer, Luis A. Galli was its first Dean.
He died in a car accident while travelling to deliver classes to
other universities of the country. He was followed by another
engineer, Antonio Castro Lechtahler, who successfully organized in
Tandil the annual meeting of the Association of Mathematicians from
Argentina as well as the First Inter University Conference of
Physics. Both meetings gave many well known researchers the
earliest opportunity to visit this Faculty and students the access
to high level lecturers.
Because of scarce economic resources, no research activities
could be certainly foreseen. By dint of hard work, however, a group
of few people with the outstanding help of Lorenzo Jaramillo
managed to set up a teaching laboratory of Physics, the pride of
this Faculty. Theoretical classes were generally delivered by
itinerant teachers on Fridays and Saturdays, from the early morning
to late night hours. During weekdays, teachers and local assistants
carried out practical activities from 6 to 12 pm.
The fourth graduation ceremony of the University of Tandil -the
third one for the Faculty of Physics and Mathematics- took place
some months before the decree of creation of the UNICEN was passed.
Six bachelors and seven teachers in Physical and Mathematical
Sciences received their certificates in that ceremony.
The Faculty of Exact Sciences of the UNICEN was created in 1975
upon request of the Faculty of Physics and Mathematics of the
former University of Tandil. In those days, this institution was
already offering industrial engineering courses as well as programs
for teachers and bachelors of Physics and Mathematics Sciences.
The creation of new academic courses and the subsequent
connections with other local and foreign high level centers gave
place to more changes. The initial amateur spirit was left behind
to develop into a stage that has involved academic reinforcement,
postgraduate education, research activities and technology
transfer. In sum, this Faculty now offers sound and useful services
for the community and region as well.
At present, this Faculty offers pre degree, graduate and
postgraduate courses that fall into the following subject
areas:
- Mathematics
- Physics
- Information Technology
- Environment
- Science Teaching
Our enrollment records reveal more than 2,000 regular students.
In addition, teaching staff is made up by 300 members -professors
and teaching assistants mostly working on a full time basis.
Teachers, researchers and scholarship holders belonging to the
National Program of Technical and Scientific Research are also
engaged in research projects supported by the National Incentive
Program and receive funds from national and international
institutions. Moreover, this Faculty is essential for the
technical-scientific division of the university that brings
together well known companies and provides in-service training for
advanced students.
