In an era of remarkable scientific creativity and discovery, we recognize that training in the latest scientific knowledge is necessary, but not sufficient, to prepare future leaders in science and medicine. We must also prepare students to make intellectual connections across contexts, to adapt ideas to new situations, and to address ill-structured problems in multidisciplinary teams. We must prepare them to be integrative learners.

The science and math faculty at Carleton College aspire to help students learn to transfer, apply, and synthesize their classroom learning into a coherent and usable body of knowledge. We provide multiple opportunities for students to practice using this knowledge in research, teaching, and real-world problem solving.

Carleton’s Integrated Science Center

Carleton has undertaken an ambitious construction project to create an Integrated Science Center to foster interdisciplinary and integrated learning. The first phase of construction is complete, and Evelyn M. Anderson Hall opened to the public on September 16, 2019.

Anderson Hall houses laboratory spaces for Archaeology, Geology, Chemistry, and Physics & Astronomy. In addition, offices for Chemistry and Geology faculty are located on the second and third floors of the office block of this building.

The entire facility is designed to have a net zero impact on energy consumption, and Carleton’s new geothermal energy plant is housed in the sub-basement of Anderson Hall. In addition, the second floor of Hulings Hall, which houses the relocated Biology department office, has been renovated and the Hulings HVAC system has been replaced. The Dougherty Atrium in Anderson Hall seamlessly connects with Hulings Hall on the first and second levels.

The second phase of the project involves renovating about 80% of Olin Hall, which is currently unoccupied. Olin will house Psychology, Cognitive Science, Computer Science, and the GIS lab, as well as offices for Biology and Physics and Astronomy. Additional renovations are underway on the first floor of Hulings Hall. Renovation of the basement and third floors in Hulings will continue in summer 2020, and the entire project will be complete in fall 2020.

Find more information, including floor plans and renderings of the integrated science center.