Welcome from the Dean of the College of Science

Dream big.

That is what we told ourselves nearly twenty years ago when we began the quest for a new science teaching facility. College of Science faculty, chairs and university administrators have spent countless hours researching, planning, and preparing to make this the premiere undergraduate science teaching facility in the nation. On behalf of the College of Science, I would like to thank all those who shared in this vision. The dream has become a reality.

Welcome to the Jordan Hall of Science, the University of Notre Dame’s newest and most technologically advanced facility dedicated solely to undergraduate science instruction. It is also the largest. At 202,000 square feet, this magnificent structure is now the largest classroom building on campus, giving our science students unprecedented space in which to learn and perform experiments in biology, chemistry, biochemistry, and physics.

With the addition of this building, total square footage devoted to instructional laboratories increases 160 percent. In addition to this significant increase in space, the layout also fosters an interdisciplinary-style of learning by bringing physics, biology, and chemistry students together under one roof. State-of-the-art equipment, labs, lecture halls, and classrooms can be shared as needed by all students.

The building is also home to the Center for Advising in the Health Sciences which contains the Preprofessional Studies Program, one of the nation’s most successful programs for launching college students toward health-related careers. With our improved capacity, we now have enhanced courses which include laboratory components for our Preprofessional students.

Jordan Hall will dramatically improve the way science is taught at Notre Dame by taking full advantage of the talents and ingenuity of our world-class faculty. For the first time, College of Science faculty will be able to teach their courses without space constraints or technological compromises. These days, a palpable sense of excitement permeates the College of Science here at Notre Dame and whether you are a student or a visitor entering Jordan Hall for the first time, we hope that your experience here gives you a sense of this spirit.

Our students can now experience a truly integrated, creative learning environment that better prepares them for their future as independent thinkers and leaders. With access to some of the most advanced technologies available in science education today, our students can also “dream big” and look forward to the day when their education at Notre Dame helps them make a difference in the world.

Yours in Notre Dame,
Joseph P. Marino
Dean of the College of Science