Natural Sciences Division

Come curious. Leave inspired. The UW offers an exciting lineup of in-person and online events. From thought-provoking art and music to conversations on culture, history, and science, the UW community invites you to explore, learn, and connect across disciplines throughout the University. And you don’t have to wait until Marchtake a look at everything still happening this February. In addition,sign up to receive a monthly notice when the ArtSci Roundup has been published. ArtSci On Your Own Time Exhibition |...

PSYCH 210 has become a rite of passage for many UW students and as it is now the most popular course at UW with over 4,000 students taking it annually. But not everyone can take the class. So after five years of writing, McNichols is bringing her lessons to a wider audience with her first book “You Could Be Having Better Sex: The Definitive Guide to a Happier, Healthier, and Hotter Sex Life.”

Three College of Arts & Sciences professors discuss the impact of AI on their teaching and on student learning. The consensus? It’s complicated.

New research supported by Yingjie Cheng, a University of Washington postdoctoral researcher in astronomy, uncovered a contender for one of the earliest observed spiral galaxies containing a stellar bar a notable visual feature that can play an important role in the evolution of a galaxy.

Astronomers at the UW recently reported a record-breaking asteroid using early images from the new Vera C. Rubin Observatory in Chile. There's no chance of it hitting Earth, astronomers say; the huge asteroid is about 200 million miles away. Sarah Greenstreet, affiliate assistant professor of astronomy, is interviewed.

Astronomers recently announced a new solar system record: the fastest spinning large asteroid ever discovered. Sarah Greenstreet, affiliate assistant professor of astronomy at the UW, is interviewed.

"Burrowing shrimp are a well-documented native pest species in Willapa Bay that have been a nuisance to bottom-culture shellfish farmers for over a century. Methods for controlling shrimp populations have varied over the years, including mechanical and chemical controls," writes Emma Guerrini Romano, UW doctoral student in biology. Andrea Durant, UW assistant professor of biology, and Jennifer Ruesink, UW professor of biology, are mentioned.

Astronomers recently announced a new solar system record: the fastest spinning large asteroid ever discovered. Sarah Greenstreet, affiliate assistant professor of astronomy at the UW, is interviewed.

A team led by University of Washington astronomers has discovered the fastest-ever spinning asteroid with a diameter over half a kilometer.

While February might be just 28 days, the UW College of Arts & Sciences offers an exciting lineup of more than 40 in-person and online events. From thought-provoking art and music to conversations on culture, history, and science, the UW community invites you to explore, learn, and connect across disciplines throughout the University.

A newly discovered asteroid spins about as fast as a Ferris wheel. With a rotation period of just 112 seconds, its the new record holder for fastest-spinning asteroid wider than 500 meters. Scientists think it must be made of solid rock to avoid breaking apart. Sarah Greenstreet, affiliate assistant professor of astronomy, is quoted.

After 15 years teaching a class about sex, the most popular course at the University of Washington, this professor shares her most important takeaways.

In December, the Trump administration announced its intent to close a climate research center in Boulder, Colorado. This sparked worry amidst atmospheric scientists around the world, including many in the Pacific Northwest. The National Center for Atmospheric Research, or NCAR, was founded by the National Science Foundation in 1960 to strengthen computer models and research methods for understanding weather and the climate. Its run by a consortium of universities that includes the UW, which is one of 14 founding members. Abigail Swan, professor of atmospheric sciences and of biology at the UW, is quoted.

After 15 years teaching a class about sex, the most popular course at the UW, this professor shares her most important takeaways. Nicole McNichols, associate teaching professor of psychology at the UW, is interviewed.

Chemistry PhD alum Jonathan Cox spent most of 2025 in Kyrgyzstan, helping farmers improve their soil—and their crops—through soil testing.