The Institute of Environmental Studies was formed in 1970 under the direction of Dr. J. K. G. Silvey, Distinguished Professor Emeritus of Biological Sciences. The formation of the Institute was an effort by Dr. Silvey to facilitate and coordinate interdisciplinary environmental research projects at the University of North Texas, and was authorized by the UNT Board of Regents. In 1973, the administration increased its commitment to support the work of the Institute. Dr. William H. Glaze, Professor of Chemistry, was named Director, and over the next two years, the Institute began to emerge as an active center of interdisciplinary research and public service projects in the North Texas area.
In the summer of 1975, the Institute was renamed the Institute of Applied Sciences (IAS), signifying the intent to diversify its activities to include areas of interest outside the environmental sciences. In 1976 the Institute was officially recognized as a special unit of the University of North Texas, reporting to the Dean of the School of Community Service. In September 1979, the Directorship of the Institute of Applied Sciences was assumed by Dr. Kenneth L. Dickson . Under his leadership, the IAS received the University of North Texas President's Award in 1985 for accomplishments which have brought significant recognition to the University. In 1986 the Institute was moved under the jurisdiction of the Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences to facilitate the close alignment with other academic departments within that College.
The Institute has continued to grow and incorporate new areas of research and technology within the broad field of the applied sciences. Presently, the Institute consists of seven major program areas: the Aquatic Toxicology Laboratory, the Center for Environmental Archaeology, the Center for Remote Sensing and Landuse Analyses , the Environmental Chemistry Laboratory, the Environmental Modeling Laboratory, the Reservoir Limnology Laboratory, and the Water Research Field Station. The Institute has conducted numerous projects for industry, as well as local, state, and federal agencies.
The research scientists of the IAS are also faculty members in the Departments of Biological Sciences and of Geography. These faculty members coordinate the Master of Science in Environmental Science and the Doctor of Philosophy in Environmental Science degree programs, which were approved in 1993.
On June 1, 2000, Dr. Tom LaPoint was appointed director of the Institute of Applied Sciences following Dr. Dickson's 20-year tenure.