South Biology BUILDING

The South Biology building was first proposed when the U was home to the controversial Institute of Environmental Biological Research, in partnership with the U.S. Army’s Dugway Proving Ground for the purpose of developing chemical, biological and radioactive weapons (CBR). The National Institutes of Health provided funding for its construction, based on the Biology Division’s disease surveillance work at Dugway and other health-related duties being conducted at the U. After the 1960s, the building was no longer a partner with the NIH for CBR production.

South Biology then became the catalyst for a strong new emphasis in cellular and molecular microbiology research at the U, including the hiring of Mario Capecchi, the Nobel Laureate whose original lab was in the building.  In 2018, the department of Biology was renamed the School of Biological Sciences, to better encapsulate the focus on the breadth of the discipline, ranging from cell biology to ecology.

The South Bio building houses the Biology Learning Center (BLC), where students can receive tutoring. There are great places to study throughout the building, and you're only an indoor bridge away from Brio Coffee in ASB.

Currently, the South Biology Building houses a multitude of research labs, teaching labs, tutoring from the BLC, and the administration of the School of Biological Sciences. The basement has an anatomy lab and a vivarium of research birds, reptiles, and more. There’s a greenhouse filled with research plants and a pigeon coop on the roof.

Nearby to South Bio is Building 44, home to BioKids, the child care center for College of Science faculty, staff and students. The 1945 building was originally home to Student Health Services and was built using federal grant money and money through the Federal Works Agency post World War II. The building was designed to care for students too ill to stay in their "lodgings" but not ill enough for hospitalization. It was one of only three permanent structures erected on campus in the 1940s and is the only building on campus planned and completed during the War.