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Scientific Technical Services (SciTech or STS) is a department that supports research, scholarship and teaching across all colleges at WWU by providing access to advanced multi-user scientific instrumentation, machine and electronics shops, and equipment design, fabrication and repair services.

SciTech operates two core facilities: The University Instrument Center, Western’s primary multi-user equipment facility with chromatography, mass spectrometry, and spectroscopy instrumentation and the University Shops, with electronics, metalworking, woodworking, and design and repair services.

We offer:

• Training and access to multi-user instrumentation
• Research consultation, method development, and sample analysis
• Assistance with laboratory course demonstrations and analysis of student samples
• Design, modification, and fabrication of equipment and technical instrumentation
• Repair of equipment campus-wide
• Small test equipment for short-term loan

Students, staff, and faculty from across campus rely on SciTech for expert advice and training on scientific instrumentation, assistance with laboratory class instruction, to design, build, and repair equipment, and assist in the analysis of research and classroom samples. Hundreds of users come through our doors each year with projects ranging from the analysis of water quality samples, to the repair of antique Steinway pianos and the construction of custom equipment for Western athletic teams.  For over 30 years SciTech has been a centerpiece of Western’s innovation infrastructure, supporting research, creativity, and learning campus-wide.

Services and equipment are provided free of charge to Western users and on a fee-for-service basis to external clients.  Internal users may be asked to cover the cost of project consumables, such as chromatography solvents.  External users are charged hourly rates for staff and instrument time.  Students requiring SciTech services for academic purposes should work through their course instructor or faculty advisor.  To request services or for more information, drop by one of our locations or see our Directory page.  Information for new users on how to get started is available.  Instrumentation reservations may be made online using the FOM scheduling system.