Biology research facilities
Laboratory facilities
Research laboratories include those designed for ecology, plant and animal physiology, molecular biology, genetics, cell biology, pharmacology, systematics, microbiology, and methods courses in biological education. These laboratories are typically 600 sq. ft. in size and fully equipped for cutting edge discovery by undergraduate and graduate students working closely with faculty mentors.
Natural area and xeric gardens
At the southwest end of Ross Hall is a Natural Area incorporating vegetation from the native short-grass prairie and foothills regions. This area is maintained as an instructional resource and is used frequently for a variety of courses.
Regional field resources
In addition to the resources on campus, there are outstanding field resources just a few miles from UNC. Many of the biology faculty utilize these resources in their research, but they also provide outstanding recreational opportunities as well.
- Rocky Mountain National Park
- U.S. Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Region
- Arapaho & Roosevelt National Forests and Pawnee National Grassland
Herbarium
The Herbarium is a core repository for plant specimens that are used for teaching and research. The collection consists of 24,000 specimens and focuses on species from the southern Rocky Mountain region and the high plains. For more information, contact Mitchell McGlaughlin.
Greenhouse
The School maintains a greenhouse which hold materials that are used for both teaching and research purposes. For more information, contact Scott Franklin.
Museum
The Natural History Museum is a repository for animal specimens that are used for both teaching and research. The collection includes an extensive number of vertebrate and invertebrate specimens with a focus on animals from the Rocky Mountain west. For more information, contact Lauryn Benedict.
Major equipment and instrumentation
A variety of instruments are available in the School and we are adding more all the time. We currently have the following instruments available for use by investigators:
- Molecular Devices UV-Vis Plate reader
- Bio-Rad CFX 384 real-time PCR machine
- Bio-Rad VersaDoc gel imager
- Beckman ultracentrifuge
- Leica fluorescence microscope
- Atomic force microscope
- Zeiss confocal microscope
- Scanning electron microscope
- Sony cell sorter
- Attune flow cytometer
The use of some equipment is fee-based. To establish an account, please contact biology@unco.edu.
