College Research Facilities
William C. and Ruth Ann Dewel Microscopy Facility
The William C. and Ruth Ann Dewel Microscopy Facility serves undergraduate, graduate students and faculty at Appalachian State University offering a wide variety of services in light and electron microscopy and image analysis. The CAS Microscopy Facility supports both research and teaching, and provides instruction and assistance on the use of state of the art imaging equipment.
College of Arts & Sciences Vivarium
The College of Arts & Sciences is committed to providing the Appalachian academic community with a safe, clean, humane, and efficient Animal Resource Facility. For information on the scope of activities, please consult the Vivarium Facility User’s Manual (274 KB, PDF).
Computation & Visualization Lab
The Visualization Lab is an interdisciplinary computer lab which provides high-end processing and graphic rendering capabilities in support of education, research and outreach activities. The lab is located on the second floor of Rankin Science West.
Dark Sky Observatory
Appalachian State University's Dark Sky Observatory is the research facility used by faculty and their students to conduct observational research in astrophysics. It is equipped with four telescopes, each used regularly for CCD imaging and photometry, with spectrographic instrumentation also available at the 32-inch.
Other Research Labs
In addition to the Microscopy Lab and Vivarium, members of the science faculty maintain their own individual labs for research, usually involving both graduate and undergraduate students.
Grants & Research News

Revealing Earth’s story through the geologic record
Dr. Andy Heckert has more than 25 years of experience as a practicing paleontologist, and he shares his passion for fossils with Appalachian State Uni...

SAFE Grant Student Spotlight: Laura Johnston ’99, ’19, Appalachian Studies
SAFE Grant Student Spotlight: Laura Johnston ’99, ’19, Appalachian Studies Laura Johnston was a graduate student from Deep Gap, N.C. Two...

Announcing Fall 2020 SAFE and Helton Award Recipients
The College of Arts and Sciences Student and Faculty Excellence (SAFE) fund provides resources that can be used to transform the undergraduate an...

24th Annual Celebration of Student Research and Creative Endeavors - Abstract Submission Information
24th Annual Celebration of Student Research and Creative EndeavorsThe Office of Student Research invites both graduate and undergraduate students, alo...
Research in the College
The College of Arts and Sciences understands the value of research for our students and faculty. We support, encourage and aid our students and faculty in their research and scholarly pursuits. For more information about research through individual departments, please visit each department website.