General information
The School of Biological Sciences is located in the north and central wings of Ross Hall which is on the west side of the main UNC campus along 11th avenue in Greeley, Colorado. Completed in 2002, Ross Hall is a state-of-the-art teaching and research facility and the center for basic sciences on campus.
Ross Hall
Laboratory facilities
Teaching and 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. Teaching laboratories are designed for small groups of no more than 24 students to permit hands-on learning experiences. Research 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
Core facilities
The School of Biological Sciences has a range of resources and equipment that are shared by the faculty, staff and students within the School. These resources are also available for use by investigators across campus or off campus.
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.
Greenhouse
Museum specimen
Confocal Microscope
Greenhouses
The School maintains two greenhouses which hold materials that are used for both teaching and research purposes.
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.
Imaging Suite
The Imaging Suite contains an array of instrumentation for observing atoms, molecules, cells, tissues, and whole organisms. Current instrumentation includes:
- Atomic force microscope
- Confocal microscope
- Fluorescence activated cell sorter/flow cytometer
- Microarray scanner
- Scanning electron microscope
Fees are charged for the use of these instruments. For more information, please go to the Imaging Suite website.
Other major equipment and instrumentation
A variety of other instruments are available in the School and we are adding more all the time. We currently have the following instruments available for general use by investigators:
- Plate reader (absorbance spectrophotometer)
- Real time PCR machine
The use of these instruments is free of charge to School investigators. Use charges are assessed for other investigators. To establish an account, please complete this form. For more information, please contact Frank Skufca, Laboratory Coordinator, at the School of Biological Sciences by e-mail (frank.skufca@unco.edu) or telephone (970-351-2469).