Gustavus Adolphus College

Animal Room

This two room facility is located in the basement of Nobel Hall and houses animals used in teaching and research laboratories. Typically mice, rats, and rabbits are used. The department also has a number of aquaria, freshwater and marine. Facilities and equipment are available for individual student research as arranged for with an instructor and/or animal room manager. Because of possible contamination with unknown or unwanted pathogens, wild or other animals are not allowed within the research animal section. The animal facility is registered with and inspected by the USDA (United States Department of Agriculture.) Any questions should be directed to Maureen Carlson.  Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee information can be obtained at IACUC.

Arboretum

The arboretum located just west of the campus was first planted in the spring of 1973. At the present time, the arboretum includes fifty-five acres but there are plans to develop an additional seventy-five. When the arboretum is completed, it will contain all the trees and plants native to Minnesota including conifers, hardwoods, and prairie as well as an area where introduced species are displayed. Animals in the arboretum include mice, pheasants, jack rabbits, gophers and deer. Birds of all kinds pass through including hawks and eagles. There are several bluebird houses located throughout the arboretum. Several biology classes utilize the arboretum for laboratory and field studies. Any questions concerning the arboretum should be directed to Cindy Johnson-Groh. 

Cell Culture

The cell culture facility in Room 225 is used for student research and in immunology, cell biology, and cell culture classes. Any questions about cell culture should be directed to John Lammert.

Electron Microscope

The department of biology has two electron microscopes found in Room 230. There is both a transmission electron microscope (TEM) and a scanning electron microscope (SEM). The TEM is a Zeiss EM9-S2, while the SEM is an ISI model 60A. The SEM is equipped with a PGT X-ray energy dispersion analysis system. Accessory equipment for the preparation of materials to be studied include all of the routine laboratory equipment plus an ultramicrotome, glass knife maker, and an osmometer for regulation of buffers and fixatives. 
Students are encouraged to learn to use either or both microscopes. The availability of these high tech instruments is a privilege that is unequaled at many institutions. The fact that it costs only your time (there are no fees associated with learning to use the EM) is unique. The student cost is a commitment to approximately 40 hours of time over a period of 6-8 weeks (5-7 hours/week). Work with the TEM can be initiated by responding to a note sent out once a year to all bio majors (usually in the spring) or by beginning work independently with students assigned to work in the EM lab.  

Greenhouse

The greenhouse is housed in Nobel Hall and is the responsibility of the Biology department. It is used for student and faculty research, general biology, botany, and ecology laboratories. The greenhouse contains a variety of flowering plants, including cactus, other succulents, ferns, and tropical plants. Students are encouraged to explore the greenhouse. Any questions about the greenhouse should be directed to Emily Hoefs .

Herbarium

This facility contains many plants from Sweden and Minnesota from as far back as the 1700's. Field botany students use the collection and prepare specimens to enlarge the holdings. The herbarium is located in Room 324A in Nobel Hall. Questions may be answered by Cindy Johnson-Groh.

Licensed Radiation Facility

The biology department houses a licensed facility in Room 327 for the use of radioactive materials in lab courses and research projects. All students and faculty desiring to use radioactive compounds must take a videotaped radiation safety course. The tapes can be obtained from David Leake, the institutional radiation safety officer.