Teaching Lab Renovations

About the Project

UC Davis is launching a pilot project to modernize undergraduate teaching laboratories — essential, high-use spaces that support hands-on learning across disciplines. While general assignment classrooms have seen significant upgrades in recent years, many department-managed teaching labs — some more than 50 years old — have not kept pace, limiting their functionality, safety and capacity.

Through a collaborative effort between central campus, colleges and departments, a select group of labs will be renovated. These spaces were chosen for their potential to serve a high number of students and for their relatively straightforward construction, with priority given to those addressing critical safety needs. Improvements may include upgraded AV systems, modern lab equipment and furnishings, reconfigured layouts and refreshed finishes.

By enhancing the quality, flexibility and usability of these spaces, the project will improve the student and instructor experience and better support timely graduation — particularly in high-demand, lab-based courses. It will also establish a scalable model for future investments, ensuring teaching labs can meet evolving academic needs for years to come.