Student-friendly, research-savvy new Biology Building opens its doors – Source

Student-funded

The 155,000 square-foot, $70 million building was funded in large part by the University Facility Fee Advisory Board, a group of students who determine the allocation of the student facility fee. Inspired by this funding, the department wanted to make the building people-friendly and individual-friendly, said biology Associate Professor Joe von Fischer. Theres light, theres comfortable seating. Its user-friendly.

The biology department is the largest in the College of Natural Sciences, with more than 1,400 undergraduates studying in the biological science or zoology majors More than 60 percent of all CSU undergraduates take a class in the department. No matter what a student is studying, said Associate Professor Rachel Mueller, We made the space of the building to feel creative, to allow students to ask their own questions and foster a sense of wonder.

The new building will open up more opportunities for hands-on laboratory work for undergraduate students, both in class and in working with faculty members on their research. Even for those who are not working in a lab, they will be able to see research happening firsthand. The science on display design of the building allows a view into the labs from the hallways through glass panels. After living in a largely windowless building, weve gone a little crazy with windows, Antolin joked.

One of the most striking features inside the new building is the addition of interpretive science displays throughout the first floor. We wanted it to be a uniquely biology building, to help students feel a connection to the word theyre studying, said Mueller, who worked closely with the designer of the displays, Studio Tectonic, which works with museums all over the world.

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Student-friendly, research-savvy new Biology Building opens its doors - Source