The University has revealed exclusive plans to Vision about a £6.75 million redevelopment of the Biology Department.
The development looks set to get underway in 2013 and finish in time for occupation in October 2014, according to Pro-Vice Chancellor for Estates and Strategic Projects, Elizabeth Heaps.
Vision understands that, as part of “Phase One”, a range of new facilities will be built. During Phase Two, existing biology buildings are to be knocked down and replaced with further new facilities.
The department’s new buildings will be equipped with the latest energy efficient designs and scientific equipment. Furthermore, there will be extra computing space and extended student support.
The masterplan is currently being finalised, so it is not yet known where exactly the buildings are going to be situated. There is also some way to go before a contractor is sealed.
Jon Meacock, Director of Estates and Campus Services, said: “The University is planning to construct a new building close by the existing Bio-Sciences Department.
“This building will include new laboratories and offices and be the centre for a Biomedical Sciences course to be offered from academic year 2014/15.”
In addition to the Biomedical Sciences course, Natural Sciences is to be offered to students from in 2015/2016. At the moment, it is a course offered only at Durham and Cambridge.
Head of Department, Professor Deborah Smith, commented: “These will build on York’s acknowledged international reputation in the sciences and offer new and exciting opportunities for student training.
“The existing facilities, while still fully functional, are increasingly difficult to maintain at the standard required to support first class activities across all student groups.”
Second year biology student, Robert Johnson, said: “Biology at York is already great but we could end up overtaking Oxbridge.”
The development follows on from the £5 million extension of the Centre for Immunology and Infection in 2010 as well as the £21.6 million Technology Facility and the Structural Biology Laboratory, which opened in 2003.
With a quarter of research being classed as “world leading”, the University of York is rated as the sixth-best institution for biology in the UK, according to the Complete University Guide 2013.