Labs and Equipment
Laurier has many state-of-the art laboratories on both the Waterloo and Brantford campuses. Some are primarily research spaces for faculty members. Some are primarily teaching spaces where you can get hands-on experience. Some are a bit of both – places where graduate students and senior undergraduate students can learn by participating in research while working closely with their professors.
Teaching laboratories include science labs, mostly in the Science Building on the Waterloo campus or the Research and Academic Centre on the Brantford campus, and computer and technology labs, which are located in a number of buildings. Many other courses, ranging from journalism to archaeology, include practical components, which may be called labs. These are held in locations across campuses and use a variety of specialized equipment and infrastructure.
Some of Laurier's specialized lab and research facilities are highlighted below. The following is not a complete listing of Laurier's labs.
Science Maker Lab
The Science Maker Lab is where science and entrepreneurship meet. Groups with business plans can work on designing, developing and testing prototypes of what might be the next great product or technological innovation. Although run by the Faculty of Science, all Laurier students can apply to work on their enterprise ideas with the specialized equipment and mentorship available at the Science Maker Lab, which is located in the Science Research Centre on the Waterloo campus.
Science Research Centre
The Science Research Centre (SRC) is next to the Science Building on Laurier's Waterloo campus. Many of Laurier’s science research faculty have their laboratories in the SRC, and it is here that the graduate and undergraduate student researchers, along with support staff, perform their innovative work.
Centre for Cold Regions and Water Science
The world-class Centre for Cold Regions and Water Science (CCRWS) building, full of a variety of state-of-the-art equipment, opened in 2013 on Laurier's Waterloo campus. The CCRWS is home to two Laurier research centres, the Cold Regions Research Centre (CRRC) and the Laurier Institute for Water Science (LIWS). It is also home to two collaborative research groups, the Canadian Aquatic Laboratory for Interdisciplinary Boreal Ecosystem Research (CALIBER) and Laurier's portion of the Ontario Water Consortium (OWC).
Some students, undergraduate and graduate, work and/or participate in research at the CCRWS.
Lab Safety
Before working in a lab, you need to complete general laboratory health and safety training, Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS) training and training specific to the equipment and chemicals you will be using. Consult your lab supervisor or instructor for details.
While working in the lab, follow fire safety policies and know the locations of emergency exits, egress routes and designated safe areas. Fire extinguisher training is also recommended.
If you will be working alone, develop a working alone plan with your supervisor. For more, see university policy 7.15.