Saint Mary's College requires its biology majors to conduct an original research project and to write an undergraduate thesis. Undergraduate research and research training are key curricular components in developing graduates who go on to advanced degrees in the life sciences. Saint Mary's is ranked the number one Catholic college or university in the nation in the ratio of graduates going on to earn the Ph.D. This commitment to undergraduate research serves to create an unusually "research active" faculty. A new addition meets the needs of traditional fields of cellular and molecular biology, genetics, anatomy and physiology, etc. Renovation of three research facilities is essential to: 1) build on our successful environmental program; 2) continue to obtain outside research support; 3) provide more research opportunities for both staff and students; 4) provide the best possible research training for students; and 5) make the facilities handicap-accessible. The more efficient renovated facilities will increase both the quantity and diversity of research and research training, increase student retention and recruitment and, ultimately result in more students entering graduate school and eventually scientific careers. Outside researchers also will make use of the remodeled facilities.
