Two students in a lab with pipettes

WHERE CURIOSITY DRIVES IMPACT

Change begins with curiosity.

From exploring new ideas to solving the world’s biggest issues, LAS empowers thinkers and doers to transform curiosity into measurable impact.

We believe that education is more than lectures and textbooks. It’s about cultivating minds that question, explore, and act with purpose. And we know that when curiosity meets opportunity, innovation follows—and the impossible becomes possible. 

LAS News
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National Park Service grant supports Observatory rehabilitation
 The University of Illinois Observatory is undergoing renovations this summer that will bring back some historical features of the national landmark.The project is supported by a grant from the National Park Service through the Save America’s Treasures program, which funds the preservation of...
Ying Diao
Electronics inspired by plants
 Ying Diao is a professor in chemical and biomolecular engineering, the co-chair of Molecular Science and Engineering at the Beckman Institute, and the recipient of numerous awards and honors,...
Jina Lee
Novelty claims in research studies are key to establishing authority, boosting scholarly impact
 When researchers make bold rhetorical assertions in their studies about the novelty of their work — regardless of its actual uniqueness — their papers receive more citations from other scholars, a new study found. Serving as a key mechanism for establishing...
Group photo at Cline Center
New ‘anomaly detector’ flags outlier counties in police uses of lethal force
 A new data-driven dashboard produced by the Cline Center for Advanced Social Research uses predictive modeling to pinpoint U.S. counties that have unusually high or low numbers of police use of lethal force incidents relative to national...
podcast screen
Sharing 'Qisasna'
 “Qisasna” means “our stories” in Arabic. A program by that name in Aden, Yemen, connects young adults with peers around the world to create podcast episodes sharing their experiences...
Berenbaum
What have decades of eradication efforts taught us about the New World screwworm?
 The value of basic science into insect biology is no more evident than when a crisis arises involving a devastating insect pest like the New World screwworm, says entomology professor and department head May Berenbaum. In...
Gaines
What effects could insider trading have on prediction markets?
 Brian J. Gaines is a professor of political science and the Honorable W. Russell Arrington Professor in State Politics at the U of I System’s Institute of Government and Public Affairs. Gaines spoke with News...
painting of Odysseus and Polyphemus
How does the film ‘The Odyssey’ compare with Homer’s epic poem?
 Filmmaker Christopher Nolan’s blockbuster film “The Odyssey” opened July 17, and the nearly three-hour-long interpretation of Homer’s epic poem was the top movie viewed that weekend. Nolan’s film garnered overwhelmingly positive reviews and already is projected to be an Oscar favorite....

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99.6%
of Illinois students take a class in LAS
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70+
majors offered within LAS
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33%
of campus' tenure-track faculty members work in LAS
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180,000
network of LAS alumni
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Fuel your curiosity, explore big ideas, and discover what drives you. Designed for new students, LAS First-Year Experience will help you connect, grow, and step confidently into college life.
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Join us in creating a powerful network of influential thinkers and proven achievers—and help us seek a better tomorrow, today.