The College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) Physical and Life Sciences Research Building will provide additional space required to support research in physical and life sciences, primarily in chemistry and biology. The CAS Research Building is also intended to provide modern research laboratory facilities that will attract and retain faculty and students and to relieve the increasing shortage of reliable laboratory space on grounds. The project will consist of a five-story, 100,000 gsf building, plus an accompanying mechanical penthouse.

This new research facility will feature modern looking architecture and finishes. The building will be connected to the existing Chemistry and Chemistry Addition Buildings with pedestrian traffic among the three buildings on all floors except at the basement level to the Chemistry building. The main building will consist of BioSafety Level Two (BSL2) laboratories on all five floors, laboratory support areas, administrative office space, and conference rooms. The mechanical and electrical systems for the main building are contained primarily in the basement and mechanical penthouse floor located above the five research levels.

Construction is scheduled for completion summer 2011.