CMU Vivarium
What Is a vivarium?
A vivarium is a specialized, highly controlled facility where researchers house and study living organisms under carefully managed conditions. These environments allow scientists to maintain precise control over temperature, humidity, lighting, and airflow, ensuring consistent, reliable results for biological and biomedical research.
CMU Vivarium: A modern research facility for student scientists
Located in the BioSciences Building, the Central Michigan University Vivarium spans nearly 5,000 square feet and is designed to support a wide range of student and faculty research. Its adaptable layout and open-floor research rooms make it easy to set up diverse study types, from short-term pilot projects to long-term experimental designs.
Research rooms and specialized spaces
The vivarium features multiple research rooms with flexible configurations to meet the needs of different disciplines. A dedicated procedure room provides space for testing, microscopy, and sample preparation, while two large holding rooms offer ample room for equipment, cleaning stations, and collaborative procedures such as specimen preparation or necropsies.
Secure and controlled research environment
To ensure safety and study integrity, the vivarium uses FOB key-restricted access, with individualized permissions for each research area. In the event of a power outage, the entire facility is backed by full generator support, protecting ongoing experiments and maintaining stable conditions around the clock.
Reliable conditions for high-quality results
Designed with precision environmental controls, covering temperature, humidity, lighting schedules, and access, the CMU Vivarium gives researchers confidence that their data is consistent and uncompromised. Students can focus on learning, discovery, and experimentation without concern for fluctuating conditions.
Whether you’re preparing for graduate school, conducting your first independent project, or training for a career in biomedical or biological research, CMU’s vivarium provides the flexibility, stability, and professional environment you need to succeed. It’s a facility built to support your work from start to finish, and to help you grow as the next generation of scientists.
Research Room Features:
- Epoxy-coated walls and floors for durability and cleanliness
- 8” sand-filled insulated walls to reduce noise and vibration
- Temperature control ranging from ~67°F to 82°F
- Side-wall trench floor drains for efficient cleaning
- Dimmable lighting to simulate dawn and dusk cycles
- Programmable lighting to reflect different geographic conditions
- Dechlorinated and RO water access at multiple points
- Compressed air line for oxygen delivery
- Twelve GFI-protected 110v electrical outlets for equipment needs
Environmental Chambers:
- Insulated fiberglass walls with epoxy concrete floors
- Precision temperature control from 34°F to 104°F (±0.3°F)
- Relative humidity control from 10% to 95% (±2%)
- Continuous monitoring with alarm notifications for parameter deviations
- Dechlorinated and RO water spigots
- Compressed airline for oxygen supplementation
- Adjustable T5 light canopy with wall-mount options and independent controls (2 chambers)
