The university was founded in 1939 in Yan'an under the name 'Institute of Nature Science' (自然科学研究院). Later the name was changed to 'Institute of Nature Science of Yan'an' (延安自然科学院). In 1943, it was merged into Yan'an University (延安大学). On April 4, 1988, its name was changed to the current one.
The current dean is Kuang Jingming (匡镜明).
See also: List of universities in Mainland China