McCollum Science Hall Enhancement

image by Waterloo/Cedar Falls Courier
photo editor Dan Nierling

UNI's reputation for providing outstanding student experiences has created unprecedented demand for programs in the College of Natural Sciences--1,800 students in 53 bachelor's degree programs, 12 master's degree programs and one doctoral degree program.

The Vision
The $1.5 million in private support would complement a $16.9 million expansion package recently allocated by the Iowa Legislature. The project will provide:

• Excellent classrooms and lab space for students aspiring to be teachers, doctors, biologists and researchers.
• Preferred technologies for student research, particularly those relating to molecular biology.
• Greater student access to emerging areas of excellence at UNI, specifically biomedical education, ecology and biotechnology.
• Greater student access to exemplary preservice and inservice teacher preparation programs in the sciences, mathematics, computer science and industrial technology.

The Case for Support

• Biology majors (658 students in 1999-2000) have increased more than 500 percent since McCollum Science Hall was built in 1968. Biology is now the third largest major on campus.
• Seating capacity in many classrooms and labs is not sufficient for enrollment.
• There is limited space for student research, a critical element in their educations.