Student learning spaces

UQ invests heavily in the provision of world-class learning environments and houses the largest grouping of science-based teaching and research spaces in Queensland.

Our wide-ranging and collaborative spaces for formal and informal learning at UQ St Lucia, UQ Gatton and UQ Herston encourage active learning and interaction. UQ Science students and researchers also have access to more than 2,300 fully-equipped laboratories, including general, specialist, computing and virtual laboratories.

See a selection of our student learning spaces, below.

Chemistry Podium

Environmental laboratories

SEES Lab School of the Environment laboratories offer high-tech learning tools, allowing students and researchers to explore the depths of our planet.

With state-of-the-art Zeiss microscopes, featuring interactive and flexible visual displays, advanced geological analysis software and collaborative lab-to-learning spaces, the labs help students learn about the systems of the Earth and its atmosphere, hydrosphere and biosphere. The design allows students to see how these interconnected systems evolve through time.

These labs also feature geologically inspired interior design and artworks, and are located next to UQ’s stunning Geology Museum, which showcases geological treasures from around the world.

Goddard laboratories

Goddard labs School of the Environment laboratories, based in UQ’s Goddard Building, help students explore all scales of biological organisation, from molecules and cells to organisms, species, communities and populations.

Select spaces allow students to operate in small, flexible groups. With access to specialist IT and audiovisual equipment, these labs are designed to maximise the student learning experience.

The Goddard 305 Lab is one of the largest teaching facilities sealed for physical contaminants in Australia, where undergraduates can work with otherwise-restricted subjects, such as genetically modified organisms. It also features a dedicated microscopy facility, which includes fluorescence microscopy technology.

Heron Island Research Station

HIRS Heron Island Research Station is internationally renowned for coral reef and ecological student training and research.

Situated on the southern Great Barrier Reef, it is the oldest and largest island marine station on the reef. With crystal clear water and near pristine conditions, the station provides easy and direct access to the marine environment.

The island station offers modern wet and dry laboratories, indoor and outdoor aquaria, a large animal holding tank, separate research and teaching laboratories, seminar facilities, a library, computer room and extensive boating and diving facilities.

Interactive Learning Centre

The Interactive Learning Centre is a modern computing facility comprising 3 integrated digital learning spaces. designed to enhance student learning outcomes in a visually stimulating environment.

All rooms are equiped with a digital projection system and a dedicated lecturer computer hooked to this system. Students can use the PCs or bring their own computers to access the system via provided HDMI or DVI cables.

Moreton Bay Research Station

moreton bay research station image by lucy trippett Moreton Bay Research Station is located on North Stradbroke Island, providing direct access to the waters of Moreton Bay and the Pacific Ocean, as well as the island’s unique terrestrial environments.

Lying on the convergence of the eastern Australian sub-tropical and temperate zones, North Stradbroke Island and the surrounding waters support an incredibly diverse range of terrestrial, coastal and marine ecosystems on which to base educational and research activities.

The station offers modern wet and dry research laboratories, aquarium systems, teaching space and lecture theatres, boating and diving facilities, a range of accommodation, and an exceptional location attracting school and university students, scientists and academics from around the world.

Science Learning Centre

Veterinary Science Student Clinical Skills Hub

The School of Veterinary Science's Student Clinical Skills Hub (the Hub) is a purpose-built, self-directed learning facility.

It houses a manual skills lab where students can practice their clinical skills using standard veterinary equipment, on simulators and/or models in conjunction with supporting audio-visual resources. The Hub also hosts a smaller communications suite with two working consult rooms, a viewing room and debriefing space.

The space provides students opportunities to augment and refine skills acquisition, investigate and understand the principles on which clinical skills are based, helping them to develop skills at a pace suited to their needs.