Science Laboratory Center (SLC), Pasteur Hall & Stark Hall
The Science Laboratory Center (SLC), Pasteur Hall and Stark Hall are located in the northwest corner of Main Campus between Watkins Hall and Maxwell Hall.
These three interconnected buildings feature a variety of state-of-the-art labs and lecture halls as well as study lounges on each floor that accommodate all students—whether you prefer to work beside sunshine and a view or in a tucked-in and secluded space.
What’s in These Buildings?
Atrium
This open space is used for:
- Doing homework
- Hanging out between classes
- Events & festivals
Lecture Halls
These spaces are used for:
- Classes
- Workshops & guest speakers
- Movie screenings
State-of-the-Art Labs
These buildings have multiple scientific labs, including:
- Nursing Simulation Lab
- Fossil Prep Lab
- Animal Care Facility
Academic Departments
These science buildings are home to the departments of:
Fun Fact
WSU’s Composite Materials Engineering program is the only accredited undergraduate program in the United States.
Atrium
The atrium is a spacious study area for students to get work done and wait between classes. In the center of the atrium is a star-shaped bench. This bench is covered with symbols that each science department selected to represent their area of study. Some of these symbols also include stars and constellations, which can be viewed in the region.
The floor features a colorful topographical map of the Mississippi River that’s located near downtown Winona.
As you gaze up, the renewable bamboo paneling and rock wall décor represent similar materials found in the local community. Both these stylish touches are a fun way to bring the outdoors in.
Lecture Halls
These buildings have two lecture halls: Miller Auditorium and SLC 120. These lecture halls seat just under 200 students each. The lecture halls also include large boards at the front for faculty and guest speakers to broadcast their presentations.
State-of-the-Art Labs
As part of General Education requirements, you must take two science classes with at least one lab. Although lab class lectures take place in the larger lecture halls, labs are divided into smaller sections of about 24 students. Small lab sizes allow you to develop a stronger relationship with your peers and professors.
All labs are taught by WSU faculty—never Teaching Assistants or Graduate Assistants. All labs also have a 1:1 student to microscope ratio. This means every student has equal opportunity to lab materials.
No matter your program, our students get to work with a variety of equipment and facilities. You could find yourself studying local waterways in a department boat or working in the tissue culture facility as a Biology major. Or using spectrophotometers, chromatographs, and calorimeters as a Chemistry major. Or bringing your ideas to life in our thermal analysis lab, mechanical testing lab, and machine shop as a Composite Materials Engineering major. Or even using our 12-channel Geode seismic system or working in the Sediment Transport and River Studies flume lab as a Geoscience major. And so much more!
Because of our stellar labs and faculty guidance, our undergrads get to do research that’s usually reserved for graduate level at larger universities. Like delving into what creates space craters through a NASA grant awarded to the Geoscience Department.
Curious what else previous students researched before graduating? The hallway walls are proudly littered with capstone posters that students presented at the Ramaley Research & Creative Scholarship Celebration and other research fairs.
Nursing Simulation Lab
Our nursing students practice care for a wide range of patient types in a safe and controlled environment. Students get to work with high-fidelity—meaning sophisticated and life-like—manikins, including newborn, infant, child, adult, and a birthing mom.
Warriors are all about improving our world. As a result, the Nursing Department works closely with the community partners of Gundersen Health System, Mayo Clinic, Winona Health, and many surrounding county health departments.
These partnerships promote community engagement and provide students a variety of service-learning opportunities.
Fun Fact
Our Nursing program has an average of a 92% first-time pass rate for the NCLEX exam. That’s impressive!
Fossil Prep Lab
Students can gain hands-on experience with fossils or conduct Paleontology-related research projects.
Animal Care Facility
Lizards, dragons, and beetles, oh my! These are just a few of the many animals that live in the Animal Care Facility.
Students can gain hands-on experience with animals and volunteer as caretakers. Or even conduct supervised Biology research projects.
Did You Know?
Plants aren’t the only things living in our greenhouse. Besides the luscious greens, the greenhouse is home to two painted turtles.
There is one female and one male painted turtle. And boy, do they love enjoying the views of the bluffs from the top story of Pasteur Hall.
