User:Coasterlover1994/Natural Sciences Complex

The Natural Sciences Complex (NSC) is an eight-story academic building on the North (Amherst) Campus of University at Buffalo. Opened in 1994, the NSC houses the departments of Chemistry and Geology, in addition to centrally-scheduled classrooms, lecture halls, and a cafe.

History
As part of the construction of North Campus, the university intended to move the majority of departments from the older South Campus in the city into new facilities on the new campus. Under the original plans, 20 connected towers were to have housed the sciences departments. Only two (Cooke and Hochstetter Halls) were built. The Natural Sciences Complex was built in the space intended for the remaining 18 towers. The chemistry department, formerly housed in Acheson Hall on South Campus, was moved to the new building upon completion.

Lecture Halls and Classrooms
The complex's lecture halls and classrooms are located in a two-story eastern wing of the building. Six classrooms, each seating 90 students, line the south side of the second floor, while five two-story lecture halls of varying sizes line the north side of the wing. On the second floor, a promenade containing seating, table space, vending machines, and public access computers separates the lecture halls and classrooms, with the promenade being a popular gathering place for students. On the second floor, access is provided via bridge to Fronczak and Talbert Halls, while a ground-level walkway provides access to Cooke and Hochstetter Halls. An elevator is located in the hallway leading to Fronczak Hall,

Main Tower
Most of the complex's floor area is located in an eight-story tower on the western side of the building, connected to the lecture halls and classrooms. An atrium is located on the second and third floors of the building, along the building's northern edge. The second floor of the atrium houses Mrs. Rich's Corner Cafe, a small grab-and-go snack bar run by the University, in addition to a bridge that provides access to the Mathematics Building. The third floor houses the main offices of the chemistry department, and laboratory spaces for both the chemistry and geology departments are located on all eight floors. The fourth floor and all higher floors are closed to the public outside normal business hours (9 AM-5PM Monday-Friday).