Facilities Modernization for Biology and Neuroscience Research and Research Training

改造和更换约20，000平方英尺的生物学，神经科学和心理学实验室空间是NSF授予阿默斯特学院的目标。 现有的实验室设在139年。老阿普尔顿和83岁的。老韦伯斯特霍尔斯。 这些建筑物在20世纪60年代进行了部分翻新，仍然存在过时和无效的HVAC，管道和电气系统。 持续的设施问题包括现代科学的局限性，中断和挫折实验的周期性系统危机，以及由于学科分离而造成的方案限制。 NSF的资金将用于翻新韦伯斯特大厅的一楼，用于与心理学系相关的干实验室活动，以及更换梅里尔科学中心以外的神经科学和生物学湿实验室设施。 由此产生的研究设施的增强将促进跨学科的联系（生物学，化学，心理学和神经科学），这将是未来半个世纪科学研究和教学的特点。 升级后的设施也将成为阿默斯特大学成功吸引大量本科生（其中40%是女性，25%是有色人种学生）参与研究活动的一个重要焦点。 在阿默斯特获得的研究重点激励了超过一半的荣誉学生攻读博士学位。程序或医学博士研究作为其医学院教育的重要组成部分的计划。

Renovation and replacement of approximately 20,000 square feet of biology, neuroscience and psychology laboratory space is the goal of this NSF award to Amherst College. Existing laboratories are housed in the 139-yr. old Appleton and 83-yr. old Webster Halls. Partially renovated in the 1960s, these buildings still suffer from outdated and ineffective HVAC, plumbing and electrical systems. Ongoing facility issues include the limitation of modern science, periodic systems crises which interrupt and setback experimentation, and programmatic limitations due to the separation of disciplines. NSF funds will be utilized to renovate the first floor of Webster Hall for dry laboratory activities associated with the Psychology department, and for the replacement of wet laboratory facilities for Neuroscience and Biology in an addition to Merrill Science Center. The resulting enhancement to research facilities will advance the interdisciplinary connections (biology, chemistry, psychology, and neuroscience) that will characterize science research and teaching during the next half-century. The upgraded facilities will also form an important focus for Amherst's successful efforts to involve a high number of their undergraduates -- 40% of whom are women and 25% of whom are students of color -- in research activity The research emphasis gained at Amherst has motivated more than half of their honors students to pursue Ph.D. programs, or M.D. programs with research as a substantial component of their medical school education.