NSMT Facilities

General Access Classroom - TL 201

Our philosophy is even reflected in our furniture. Movable tables and chairs allow for both small and large group work in classrooms. The average class size at Alverno is 25 students. Students often give formal or informal presentations to their peers, so many of our classrooms allow several modes of communications, including computer projection.

Like all of our new classrooms, and most classrooms on campus, the general access classroom receives generous natural light from its large windows (not visible in this photo).

General Science Laboratory - TL 205 

Introductory science students use this room to investigate and construct models; classify and explore properties, changes, and conservation of matter and energy; and conduct investigations of consumer products and water samples. As students gain experience in experimental design, they plan and implement longer term research projects on single-cell organisms. The room has a chemical fume hood, an incubator, water baths, spectrophotometers, and lots of storage for the variety of equipment students need as they plan their own experiments. The tables in this room are set up to allow student interaction rather than listening to a lecture. Each set of "pods" is supplied with computer and power connections, gas lines, and sinks.

This room is used for preparing culture media, sterilizing glassware, and many other tasks required to support student work in microbiology and related courses. Within the Microbiology complex is the Laboratory Manager's Office (TL 206 A). The laboratory manager supervises activities in the various laboratories. She is also available as a resource to students conducting their own experiments in the Microbiology Student Research Room (TL 206 B). The complex contains chemical and biosafety hoods, a UV cabinet, incubators, ovens, autoclaves, and other equipment.

Chemistry Laboratories 1 and 2 - TL 211 and TL 207

These laboratories are part of the chemistry complex. Both feature several fume hoods (including a hood for wheelchair users). Laboratory benches have sinks and gas, electric, air, and computer ports. They are designed so that students can work comfortably while either standing or sitting. As with all of our other laboratories, the benches are designed for collaborative work. The chemistry laboratory complex also contains preparation and chemical storage rooms.

Data Analysis Room - TL 208

This room provides students with an area in which they can analyze, discuss, and write descriptions of the data they collected in various laboratories. Having a separate room for this allows students to work safely and comfortably without wearing protective equipment such as goggles. It also allows students to snack while working.  The room is equipped with many power and computer outlets to allow the use of notebook computers. Classes often use this room for orientations before laboratories and for discussion and presentation after laboratory work. This is also a popular study area.

Chemistry Instrument Room - TL 209

The instrumentation room is a glass-walled area between the two chemistry laboratories. It contains a wide variety of equipment for measuring parameters of the chemicals used in the laboratories. Equipment includes gas chromatographs, spectrophotometers, and analytical balances. Although the room is easily accessible from either laboratory, it can also be entered from the hall. This is important for the student who would like to take measurements on her projects without disturbing classes in progress. Isolating the delicate and expensive equipment from the laboratories also reduces the possibility of damage.

Microbiology Laboratory and Research Room - TL 210

Students use this laboratory to examine the structure, function, and ecology of microbes. The room features many microscopes, computers, refrigerators and freezers, an incubator, and a water bath. A video projection microscope allows the entire class to view the image from one microscope. Each "pod" has sinks and is supplied with electrical, computer, and water connections.

Botany/Zoology Laboratory - TL 212

This room is the home of botany, zoology, ecology, animal behavior, genetics and other courses that study living organisms. The octagonal tables allow students to collaborate on activities such as discussion, data collection, and data analysis. Each "pod" has power, air, and gas outlets. Computers allow the construction and use of computer models, data analysis, and production of presentation materials.

Ecology students will also use this room to perform tests on samples gathered in the field. The room features a fume hood to allow safe, comfortable preparation and analysis of materials.

Cell / Molecular Biology Laboratory Complex- TL 213

The cell and molecular suite offers students the opportunity to use modern methods to study cells and their macromolecules. It contains freezers, biosafety cabinets, centrifuges, PCR machines, equipment for gel electrophoresis, and other equipment.

This complex also contains the Cold Research Room (TL 213 A), the Microscopic Dark Room (TL 213 B) for the fluorescent microscope, the Clean Room (TL 213 C) for cell culture, and the Data Resource Room (TL 213 D), which provides students with a place to analyze, discuss, and write up their experiments.

This room allows students the room and equipment necessary to do long-term research. The room is accessible to students at all times. No classes are held here. Some of the projects visible in this photograph are transgenic plant studies and a number of Euglena experiments. The room contains four growth chambers with controlled incandesant and fluorescent lights and temperature control. There are also four large plant growing racks. The room also houses two environmental chambers. These are large rooms in which temperature, humidity, and light cycle can be controlled and monitored.

Zoology Research Room - TL 215

This room provides a safe, clean environment for keeping organisms such as fish, worms, or coral. These organisms may be used in integrated science, zoology, ecology, or animal behavior.  nimals are used only in accordance with the guidelines of the appropriate governing organizations. No procedures that inflict pain or suffering on the animals are performed.

These students are members of a non-majors integrated science class. They are examining the population growth of their Euglena (single-celled organisms) in the Student Research Laboratory using a spectrophotometer.

Students use this room to study the structure and function of the body. This room contains equipment for several teams of students to work on computers, instruments for blood analysis, and many anatomical models. Students primarily measure their own physiological function rather than using animal models. Students use computers extensively for measurement and analysis. In this photograph, faculty and staff watch while one faculty member's heart rate is measured on a computer. Heart rate while the subject is upright is compared with his heart rate when inverted (upside down).

The Student Computing Center is located on the first floor of the TLTC. It consists of the main room (part of which is pictured here), three rooms in which entire classes can work together, and several small rooms for group work. There is a mix of PC and Mac computers. Several of the computers are equipped with scanners. There are more than enough computers to serve our students and most campus gathering places have wireless Internet access. The Student Computer Center staff are available for technical assistance.  In the entry area, students can find office supplies to assemble and copy their documents.

Alverno has its own Prairie Site where students can conduct their own outdoor ecology, botany, microbiology, and zoology experiments. This site allows students to go on field trips without leaving the campus. It also serves as a demonstration site for education courses. This site contains over 40 species of grasses and flowering plants and is heavily used by insects, birds, and other animals. The symbiotic microbes enrich the soil.

Grace M. Burton Science and Math Education Resource Center

Students in Broadfield Science or mathematics or science methods course can check out materials for use in their classrooms. The collection includes manipulatives, textbooks, periodicals, kits, models, videos, instructional CDs, and other materials. Contact your math or science methods instructor for access. The Alverno Library Teaching Media Center has additional resources.

Miscellaneous Resources

Many other resources such as on-campus child care; support for students with learning disabilities; tutoring in science, math and writing; financial aid; career planning; counseling; and assistance for students for whom English is a second language are also available. The Alverno experience also provides social activities, opportunities to travel internationally, art events, and much more. For more information, visit Alverno's main web site, or call the campus during business hours at 414-382-6100 or 1-800-933-3401 or email admissions@alverno.edu.