Construction begins on the new Science Complex
The complex — the largest academic area on Towson University’s campus — will support the accelerated enrollment and research growth in the Fisher College of Science and Mathematics.
By Pam Gorsuch on November 28, 2017
Construction has begun on Towson University’s new Science Complex, a 320,000-square foot academic and research space to be located along York Road near historic Stephens Hall. It will be the new home for science departments in TU’s Jess and Mildred Fisher College of Science and Mathematics (FCSM), which has grown by more than 2,000 students, or 132 percent, since 1997.
“We look forward to building a complex that has the capacity and resources to support the world-class scientific research and discovery being performed by Towson University faculty and students,” said President Kim Schatzel. “It will foster mentor-based teaching within our high-demand science programs and enable TU to continue producing highly skilled graduates that drive Maryland’s STEM economy.”
The new Science Complex is expected to open in fall 2020. When complete, it will be the largest academic area on TU’s campus, with more than 50 teaching laboratories, 30 research laboratories and 50 classrooms supporting modern scientific research and discovery.
A key feature of the complex is an outdoor classroom connecting the west side to the adjacent Glen Arboretum to provide opportunities for experiential learning in biology and environmental science. The complex will also include a planetarium, an observatory, a vivarium and a rooftop greenhouse to support teaching and research in a variety of STEM disciplines.
“Our science faculty have won more than $22 million in research grants since 2008 and use those grants to engage students in discovering new approaches to restore arctic ecosystems, pioneer preventions for colon cancer, and contribute to Nobel Prize-winning discoveries,” said FCSM Dean David A. Vanko. “The new complex will support their innovative work and put science on display along Towson’s York Road corridor to inspire the next generation of STEM researchers and entrepreneurs.”
FCSM enrolls more than 4,600 students in bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral programs. One in five incoming TU students choose a major within FCSM. In addition to science majors, most TU students will take a course in the complex to fulfill core requirements.
The complex will be constructed to meet TU's green building standards and is expected to achieve LEED Silver certification.
For more information and renderings of the completed project, visit the new Science Complex website.
This story is one of several related to President Kim Schatzel's priorities for Towson University: Strategic Plan Alignment.