The lower level will contain special equipment and labs for water and soil analysis, rock preparation, X-ray diffraction, a flume for modelling rivers and hill slope processes, and other specialized testing and analysis laboratories. Classrooms, general laboratories, a student research area, and faculty offices will be located on the floor above. The psychology department, which is now located in three different facilities on campus, will benefit by uniting its faculty and students in one building. Faculty offices and teaching suites will be located on the building's second floor, while the third floor will house research suites. The psychology faculty is committed to involving students in the active investigation of psychology, from the introductory level through advanced independent work.
Professors pride themselves in training students in research strategies and methods.
At present, however, their efforts are hampered by the lack of dedicated teaching labs. The new building will house these teaching labs and also will provide needed laboratory space for faculty and students. The research labs will enhance the quality of instruction and offer new opportunities for research and other forms of independent study. The psychology department supports experimental research in animal behavior, cognition, development, learning, neuroscience, perception, personality, and social psychology. Faculty and students will benefit from the underground connection to the Biology Building, directly adjacent to the animal facilities that will be shared by both departments, as well as from the close proximity to the other science disciplines.