Our Facilities
As a Research 1: Very High Spending and Doctorate Production university, we offer top-level research resources. The College of Agricultural, Life, and Physical Sciences is the main driver behind our R1 status. In addition to individual laboratories and research projects maintained by our individual research faculty, here is a sample of where we do what we do best: discover.
Facilities and Labs
Plant Biology Greenhouse and Conservatory
SIU is fortunate to have a diverse collection of living plants from all over the world in the Plant Biology Greenhouse. This facility serves a number of functions, including the teaching and research missions of the Plant Biology Program as well as the University and region. The Greenhouse is open to the public during normal business hours, so if you want a "tropical experience" in the middle of the Midwestern winter, pay us a visit! To learn more about this marvelous plant collection, click on the links to the left. Much of the Greenhouse plant diversity has been photographically indexed, so you can conduct your own virtual tour before paying an actual visit.
Image Center
The IMAGE facility provides training, technical service, and research in scanning electron, transmission electron, atomic-force, and light microscopy. Advanced capabilities include X-ray analysis, image analysis, and viewing of specimens under near-atmospheric conditions.
Gas Chromatography Lab equipped with Shimadzu Nexis GC-2030
Bruker Apex-II
The Bruker Apex-II single crystal X-ray diffractometer is a powerful tool for materials analysis, not available at most university campuses. It sends an X-ray beam through a tiny crystal and collects the X-rays that bounce out of the crystal. This data can then be used to map out the internal atomic structure of the material and explain much about its nature and properties.
Neckers Astronomy Observation Deck
Located on the top of the Neckers building, the observation deck provides a dedicated telescope observing area for students taking astronomy classes, monthly public observing events, and for solar research observations.
Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Facility
The Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Facility at Southern Illinois University is a university-wide facility. It has three Varian high-field multinuclear spectrometers, an Inova 500, a Mercuryplus 400, and an Inova 300 wide-bore.
Mass Spectrometry Facility
The Mass Spectrometry Facility is located in the School of Chemical and Biomolecular Sciences. The Facility owns and operates several high-performance mass spectrometers to support basic research efforts throughout Southern Illinois University. The Facility offers training for independent operation of instruments as well as sample analysis by Facility personnel.
SIU Farms Astronomy Observation Area
Center for Wildlife Sustainability Research
The Center has evolved from research emphasizing single species management, such as Florida Key Deer, Bobwhite Quail, and Bobcats, to ecosystem management, such as coal mine reclamation. Through this process, the CWSR raises over $1 million in research grants annually, and has supported more than 425 M.S and Ph.D. students.
University Farms
University Farms, a unique, 2,000 acres, on-campus working farm and forest system, serves as a major agricultural research and education laboratory. Showcasing the best in traditional agricultural education and new research.