Research Facilities

Department of Biology

Equipped for success

The Department of Biology is primarily located on the second floors of the Leatherman Science Facility (LSF) and the McNair Science Building  (MSB) and provides the facilities and resources necessary to accomplish its mission. Departmental facilities include three lecture rooms, ten instructional labs, a computer lab, five research labs, and three faculty office suites. The department also provides access to several excellent external facilities and resources to support faculty and student research.
Facilities, resources, and equipment available for faculty and student use is listed below.

Departmental Spaces

  • All three lecture rooms are equipped with multiple TV Screens/Projectors and ScreenBeams for 360 degree projection and instruction.
  • Combo student desks can be moved around to accommodate different instructional methods.
  • Due to space constraints and class sizes, some lectures are taught in the McNair Auditorium classrooms.
  • Two animal rooms housing mice, rats, various reptiles, and amphibians.
  • Live animal and plant displays and aquaria throughout the hallways.

Instructional Labs

  • All instructional labs have lab tables, chairs, and cabinet/bench space for multiple applications.
  • Lab sizes average from 10-18 students with a maximum size of 24.
  • Partial list of equipment and resources available for laboratory instruction:
    • Vernier LabQuest
      • CO2 Sensor
      • O2 Sensor
      • Gas Pressure Sensor
      • UV Spectrophotometer
      • Spirometer
      • Blood Pressure
      • EKG
      • Heart Rate Monitor
    • Micropipettors
    • Gel electrophoresis
    • Stir plates
    • Water baths
    • Incubators
    • Digital scales
    • Microcentrifuges
    • Compound microscopes
    • Dissecting microscopes
    • MiniPCR thermocyclers
    • Extensive specimen collections
      • Microscope slides
      • Preserved specimens
      • Taxidermic specimens
      • Dissectible specimens
      • Skulls and skeletons
    • Anatomical Models
      • Torsos, arms, legs, skin, eyes, ears, hearts, kidneys

Molecular Biology/Cell Culture Labs

  • Three dedicated research labs for molecular biology and cell culture experiments.
    • Fluorescence microscope
    • Inverted tissue culture microscope
    • Microplate spectrophotometer
    • Dark field and phase contrast microscopes
    • Anaerobic microbiology equipment
    • Digital photomicrography equipment
    • Refrigerated centrifuge
    • Clinical centrifuge
    • iBright gel imager
    • CO2 Incubators
    • UV spectrophotometer
    • IEP-agar and SDS-PAGE electrophoresis systems
    • Submarine protein/nucleic acid electrophoresis systems
    • Gradient-capable thermocycler
    • Real Time thermocycler
    • Multiporator
    • Sonicator
    • Ultra-low freezer and liquid nitrogen storage
    • pH meters and microelectrodes
    • Autoclaves

Histology Lab

  • Conventional microtome.
  • Cryostat microtome.
  • Tissue fixation supplies.

Greenhouse and Environmental Chambers

  • Climate controlled greenhouse with separate dry and humid environments.
  • Programable environmental chambers.

Herbarium

Electrofishing Equipment

  • 19′ Oquawka electrofishing boat.
  • ETS electrofishing backpack unit.

FMU Field Sites and Research Facilities