The focus of this chapter is on the broad ields of science and engineer- ing. The faculties of The University of Western Australia have been realigned several times over the past century and this chapter includes those disciplines that were part of the original faculties of Agricul- ture, Engineering and Science. They are currently found within the Faculties of Engineering, Computing and Mathematics (ECM), Life and Physical Sciences (LPS) and Natural and Agricultural Sciences (NAS) and in many associated research centres and institutes. Science and engineering have always been integral to UWA. They held a privileged position from the origin of the University with six of the University’s eight foundation chairs in science and engineering: Alexander David Ross (Physics and Mathematics), Norman Thomas Mortimer Wilsmore (Chemistry), John Waugh Paterson (Agriculture), William John Dakin (Biology), Walter George Woolnough (Geology) and Hubert Edwin Whitfeld (Mining and Engineering). Names of these foundation chairs are still familiar to UWA science and engineering staf and students. Students attend lectures in the Ross, Wilsmore and Woolnough Lecture Theatres; Geology students join the Woolnough Society; staf in the Faculty of Natural and Agricul- tural Sciences meet in the Paterson Room; and graduates celebrate on Whitfeld Court, having photos taken in front of the Relection Pool. While science and engineering have always been prominent at UWA, there have been signiicant changes in the way they are 14 Building the future: the sciences and engineering Nancy Longnecker and Jane Davis