Welcome to U of Iowa

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Entrance

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Welcome to the University of Iowa, a large research university located on a 1,900-acre campus in Iowa City, Iowa. It was founded only 59 days after Iowa was admitted to the Union and today, it consists of eleven colleges including those of Engineering, Business, Law, and Public Health. UI is well-regarded for its medical programs, boasting one of the largest university-run teaching hospitals in the United States. UI is also home to the famous Iowa Writers' Workshop, with former students including Flannery O'Connor, John Irving, and Philip Roth. Let's take a look at some of the buildings on this expansive campus!

Buchanan Auditorium

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Most undergraduate buildings at UI reside on the right side of the Iowa River. Buchanan Auditorium is located on the ground floor of one of these buildings, the John Pappajohn Business Building. This is the main facility of the top-tier Tippie College of Business, which also includes a two-story business library, a diner, and a computer lab. This large 400-seat auditorium plays host to many speakers, such as author Jamaica Kincaid, an Iowan city councilman, and musicians.

Burge Hall

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Living on campus is a great way to build friendships and engage in the social activities of college life. Burge Hall is one of the larger residence halls at UI, housing more than 900 students in single, double, and triple occupancy rooms. It is centrally located and there are large common areas for meeting up with classmates or hall-mates. Other amenities include a market, mailboxes, an information desk, several sit-down dining options, laundry rooms, and a 24-hour computer lab.

Chemistry Building

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The Chemistry department was greatly expanded after World War I, which prompted increased interest in the subject matter. The Chemistry Building was constructed to bring together the scattered nature of the chemistry offerings on campus, and it is located just north of Trowbridge Hall and the Pappajohn Business Building. Chemistry students at UI can look forward to collaborating with talented faculty members on research subjects like new energy technologies, alternative drug treatments, and global climate issues.

Gilmore Hall

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Formerly the site of the law library, Gilmore Hall is home to a variety of Graduate College administrative offices like the Dean's, Academic Affairs, Admissions, Postdoctoral Scholars, and Technical Support. Students come here to inquire about graduate fellowships and summer research opportunities, acquire thesis assistance, and attend professional development workshops.

Kautz Plaza

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Kautz Plaza is an outdoor elevated area utilized as a public forum, and found near the Memorial Union and Trowbridge Hall. It serves as a social gathering spot as well as the site for specific events like political discussions, hot chocolate give-a-ways, and the annual welcome week for new students.

Museum of Natural History

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The University of Iowa is home to several museums, including the Museum of Natural History, found inside of Macbride Hall, one of the other Pentacrest buildings. Its collection is comprised of Native American artifacts as well as birds and mammals. The Biosphere Discovery Hub takes on issues of the global environment while The Diversity of Life exhibit looks at the art of taxidermy. Admission is free and there is an extensive array of programming.

Old Capitol

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The Old Capitol is one of the buildings that make up the "Pentacrest," a group of five buildings on campus that are located at the zero-point of Iowa City's street grid. The center point is at the Old Capitol building, which actually served as the first state capitol before the capital of Iowa became Des Moines. One of the most prominent and recognized buildings on campus, today it houses a museum highlighting its history, and that of the University and the entire state of Iowa.

Schaffer Hall

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Constructed in 1902, Schaeffer Hall is a historic building that was the result of an architecture contest that chose the design you see here from twenty- two different proposals. It is home to a slew of academic departments like Statistics and Actuarial Science, History, and Political Science. It also houses the main office for the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (CLAS), the largest of all of UI's eleven schools with a possible 16,000 undergraduates enrolled at a given time.

Trowbridge Hall

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Formerly home to the College of Dentistry before the Medical Campus was created, Trowbridge Hall is currently the site of the Department of Geoscience and was named after a geology professor. Like many nearby buildings, it was constructed using limestone in the Beaux-Arts style, with the addition of Flemish Bond brick. The Geoscience Department offers degrees on the undergraduate and graduate levels, with research opportunities in hydrology, geomorphology, paleontology, and geochemistry.

Pomerantz Center

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Here we are at the Pomerantz Center, where you will find the Admissions area for visitors. Also located here is the Pomerantz Career Center, an invaluable resource for you as a student when you are plotting your next professional steps either for summer positions or after graduation. The Center can assist you with crafting an impressive resume, searching for constructive internships, and formulating long-term career plans. There are career fairs scheduled throughout the year for specific subject areas like the Health, Science & Biotech Career Fair or the Engineering Career Fair.

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