İTÜ | Faculty of Science and Letters

Illuminating the Spectrum of Color Chemistry: ITU Scholar Honored with TÜBA-TESEP Jury Special Award

Istanbul Technical University (İTÜ) proudly announces that Assoc. Prof. Dr. Füsun Şeyma Kışkan, an esteemed scholar in the Faculty of Science and Letters, has received the TÜBA-TESEP Jury Special Award for her landmark Turkish-language reference, Boyalar ve Boyar Maddeler. Conferred during the TÜBA and TÜBİTAK Science Awards Ceremony on December 18, 2024, this distinction recognizes Dr. Kışkan’s meticulous scholarship in producing a pivotal educational resource for color chemistry and dye synthesis, a domain historically underserved by Turkish academic literature.

İTÜ MBG Club organizes the 17th International İTÜ MBG Student Congress

The 17th International İTÜ MBG Student Congress, held on November 1-3, 2024, brought together scientists and students from around the globe, emphasizing its significance as a truly international event. This prestigious congress served as a vital platform for knowledge exchange, featuring 17 distinguished scientists who presented groundbreaking research in six sessions covering biotechnology, cancer, virology, evolution, molecular genetics, and neuroscience. The global participation highlighted the importance of cross-border collaboration in advancing science and tackling universal challenges.

Prof. Dr. Ceren Çıracı Muğan’s new project was accepted by TÜBİTAK-1001 Funding Program.

Prof. Dr. Ceren Çıracı Muğan’s new project entitled “The Functional Characterization of Eosinophils in Viral Immunity and Analysis of Underlying Mechanisms via CARD9/NOD2 Axis in Crohn’s Disease” was accepted by the Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (TÜBİTAK) within the scope of the 1001-Scientific and Technological Research Projects Funding Program.

Flame-Resistant Nanofiber Innovation: A Breakthrough Using Vinylphosphonic Acid in Polymer Synthesis

Prof. Dr. Nilgün Kızılcan and her colleagues have successfully secured a patent for an innovative method of producing flame-resistant nanofibers. The patent with publication number TR 2019 05592 A2 was issued by TURK PATENT INSTITUTE on 2024/01/22. This breakthrough involves the synthesis of poly(acrylonitrile-co-vinylphosphonic acid) copolymers and poly(acrylonitrile-co-methylacrylate-co-vinylphosphonic acid) terpolymers using vinylphosphonic acid, a phosphorus-containing compound.

Flow Through Electrolysis of H2S for Hydrogen Production

Prof. Dr. Ayfer Kalkan Burat conducted research in collaboration with the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences (BAS) under the TÜBİTAK 2502 Bilateral Cooperation Program, aiming to develop innovative solutions for the electrochemical conversion of H₂S, thereby contributing to both environmental preservation and industrial applications.

Eco-friendly photoelectrochemical hydrogen generation devices based on carbon textile composite photoelectrodes

Prof. Dr. Ayfer Kalkan Burat has collaborated on a joint project under the TÜBİTAK-Korea National Research Foundation (NRF) Bilateral Cooperation Program, in partnership with the İTÜ Energy Institute. As a researcher in this project, Prof. Dr. Ayfer Kalkan Burat is conducting studies on environmentally friendly photoelectrochemical hydrogen production. This project aims to contribute to sustainable energy solutions by advancing hydrogen production technologies with minimal environmental impact.

Novel Fluorenyl Substituted Phthalocyanines for Photodynamic Antimicrobial Activity, Biofilm Inhibition, and DNA Interaction

Prof. Dr. Ayfer Kalkan Burat and her research team have successfully completed a TÜBİTAK 1001 Project that explores the potential of novel fluorenyl-substituted phthalocyanines for photodynamic antimicrobial applications. This groundbreaking research focuses on biofilm inhibition and DNA interaction, offering valuable insights into combating antimicrobial resistance. By examining the efficacy of these novel compounds, the project aims to develop innovative solutions to address pressing challenges in the field of antimicrobial therapy. The success of this project marks a significant contribution to advancing the development of new, effective antimicrobial strategies.

İTÜ Faculty of Science and Letters

Istanbul Technical University Faculty of Science and Letters was founded on July 20, 1982 pursuant to the change of the name of Faculty of Fundamental Sciences. On the other hand, Faculty of Fundamental Sciences was established in 1971 by the gathering of the Department of Meteorology and the chairs of the departments lecturing fundamental and general sciences at different faculties at that time. In the academic year of 1971-1972, Meteorological Engineering program started. Then, in the academic year of 1973-1974, Mathematical Engineering program started to accept students and this department produced its first graduates in 1977.

Starting from the academic year of 1977-1978, departments related to economics have been separated from the Faculty of Fundamental Sciences and a new faculty has been established under the name of Faculty of Management Engineering. In the academic year of 1981-1982, Department of Physics Engineering has started to teach. The Department of Meteorology Engineering departed from Faculty of Science and Letters in 1982 and has been admitted to the Faculty of Aeronautics and Astronautics. Six departments of the Faculty of Chemistry, namely Inorganic Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, Analytical Chemistry, Physics Chemistry, Theoretical Chemistry and Coordination Chemistry, have gathered under the Department of Chemistry in the Faculty of Science and Letters.

The Department of Humanities and Social Sciences was founded in 1997 to teach and do research on subjects related to humanities and social sciences.

The Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics was established in 1998 under the name of Department of Biology which had a major emphasis on molecular biology and genetics. In 1999, 22 students enrolled to this program. The Department of Biology has been transformed into the Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics with the approval of the Higher Education Council in January 2000.

The Faculty of Science and Letters currently consists of Departments of Mathematics, Physics Engineering, Chemistry, Humanities and Social Sciences, and Molecular Biology and Genetics.

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