Narrative
The rooms referenced in this proposal are SC 107, SC 108, SC 115, SC 116, SC 143, SC 144, SC 145, and SC 146. In order to encourage attention and observation in these labs, the Department of Biology requests an upgrade of the projectors in these rooms located in the Sanson Life Sciences building (SC-1) on the Boca Raton campus. Currently, the projectors in those rooms have various issues. Due to using bulbs and the current projectors being outdated, the projections have poor color quality, and risk needing bulb replacement at unexpected times (i.e. during a lab or lecture). In addition, the images are smaller, forcing students farther from the projection to have to struggle to view the content. This creates a challenge for student retention. If students cannot adequately view the presentation due to poor picture quality, they may be less encouraged to participate in discussions, or stay engaged in the material. Biology courses are typically required for most degrees and is a fundamental aspect to any career or future endeavor in the medical field. The lamp free technology of laser projectors will increase reliability and omit the need to replace bulbs. Also, the proposed projectors will provide crisper and larger images.
For the Fall 2021 semester, active enrollment surpassed 2500 students in the rooms mentioned. Courses taught in these rooms include, but are not limited to: BSC1005L Life Science Lab, BSC 1005L Research Intensive: Life Science Lab, BSC 1011L Biodiversity Lab, Plant Biotechnology, BOT6735C Advanced Plant Biotechnology, BSC 2085L and BSC2086L Anatomy and Physiology (1 and 2) Labs, BSC 6390 Integrative Biology 1, MCB2004L Microbiology for Health Services Lab, MCB3020L General Microbiology Lab, OCB4043L Marine Biology Lab, PCB 4067L Genetics Lab, PCB5064L Advanced Genetics Lab, BSC4403L and BSC6408L Lab Methods in Biotechnology, BSC1010L Biological Principles Lab, and PCB4723L Comparative Animal Physiology Lab.
Facilities
Currently in SC 107, an image is mirrored onto a 50" television in the front of the room from a lab PC in the room. To allow proper installation of a ceiling mounted projector, we would need an outlet installed on the ceiling. Although facilities has not been able to prepare a quote in this timeframe, they verbally approximated the cost to install an outlet at $500.
Hardware Requirements
8 Sony LCD laser light projector
8 APC AV C2 Type 10 Power Filter for displays
8 Chief CMS440 Projector Mount - Ceiling Portion
8 Chief CMSZ006 Fully Threaded Pipe for Mount, 0"-6" Length, Black
8 Chief RPAA1W Projector Mount - Projector Portion, White (Lock "A"
Timeline
Once funds are available, items will be purchased, and set up will begin as soon as items are received. The project is projected to complete by the end of the Spring 2022 term.
