Chemistry Building Project

Project Overview

Chemistry, as the central science, is relevant to many other disciplines and is therefore part of the core curriculum of numerous degree programs on campus. By the time they graduate, 55 percent of undergraduates have taken a chemistry class at UW-Madison. As enrollment grew over the years, department and campus leaders noticed that students were often not able to schedule needed courses. This meant it took them longer to earn a degree.

Many students who wanted to enroll in laboratory courses were unable to because of space constraints and failing equipment in the chemistry building complex. In addition, the department has struggled to manage chemical storage facilities and to maintain proper ventilation in an aging facility. The storage and use of chemicals and the creation of byproducts require efficient and effective ventilation, as well as two entry and exit points to each room, to keep students, faculty and staff safe.

The two-phase Chemistry Building Project, which will begin in the fall of 2018, starts with the addition of a new nine-story tower, to house lecture halls, an information commons, offices, teaching laboratories, and group write-up spaces for undergraduate teaching labs. The second phase of the project involves renovation of the basement, first floor, and second floor of the Daniels wing. These floors house teaching laboratories, classrooms, and undergraduate student services spaces.

These additions and renovations will impact the Department of Chemistry and its students, as well as students from numerous other disciplines, including: medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, nursing, veterinary medicine, biotechnology, engineering, and biology. Students will have access to active learning spaces and write-up rooms for the laboratory reports they currently complete while sitting on hallway floors.

Help us provide improved instructional and research facilities. Give to the Chemistry Building Project.