The Vancouver Life Sciences Building has been prioritized in Vancouver’s Ten-Year Major Capital Plan since 2003 and will serve a growing demand for general science classes requiring laboratories. Basic wet labs supporting chemistry, biology, and physics are at or over capacity which precludes growth in STEM and healthcare fields unless there are new facilities. Existing labs cannot keep up with demand, limiting access to required lab classes and affecting time-to-degree for students at all levels across all fields of study.
Envisioned as a 60,000 gross square foot instructional and research facility that will provide cutting edge learning opportunities for students in STEM disciplines. The integration of teaching and research labs in one building will increase the opportunities for undergraduate students to participate in research, enhancing their learning and skill development for future STEM careers. New labs for leading edge neuroscience, molecular biology and nursing research will provide opportunities for new discoveries to help solve societal health problems. The planned facilities also include a specialized, dedicated vivarium space to support federally funded research programs.