The Zachry Common Labs
The Zachry Common Labs is an undergraduate facility within the Zachry Engineering Education Complex where engineering students learn practical applications of classroom knowledge and gain hands-on experience using industry tools and equipment. The Common Labs is made up of over 30,000 square feet spread out across three floors and supports over 60 independent undergraduate engineering courses.
Due to the structure of the Common Labs space, students have the opportunity to work alongside students of different backgrounds and engineering disciplines as they develop their own knowledge and skill sets. The wide variety of high-quality testing and experimentation equipment provides students with a solid introduction to equipment they may see again in their chosen fields of engineering or in graduate courses taken later.
Common Labs Academic Policy
The Zachry Common Labs support the College of Engineering undergraduate academic lab courses. Students enrolled in undergraduate academic courses supported by Common Labs must adhere to all lab PPE and safety standards.
Additional pertinent Common Labs information:
- Common Labs spaces support many Departments within the College of Engineering, therefore Lab courses within the same space may consist of multiple departments in close proximity.
- Depending on the structure of the lab, students may either reserve time outside of their scheduled lab hours or set up an alternative time with their TA to complete assigned work required for the course.
- FEDC-verified capstone groups may also use the Zachry Common Labs; prior authorization and scheduling with lab staff is required.
Please note, Zachry Common Labs is an Engineering Undergraduate Academic space therefore the equipment is not available for personal, extracurricular, non-engineering academic use. Research support is available through the Zachry Common Labs Service Center but is restricted to only TAMU affiliated accounts. Direct all inquiries or questions to [email protected].
Facility Academic Calendar Hours (Class Days):
Common Labs –
1st & 2nd Floor
Monday – Thursday:
8 a.m. – 9 p.m.
Friday: 8 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Sunday: Closed
Common Labs –
3rd Floor
Monday – Friday:
8 a.m. – 9 p.m.
Sunday: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m.
Effective 3rd Academic Week
FEDC –
Studio & Shop
Monday – Friday:
8 a.m. – 9 p.m.
Sunday: 12 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Effective 3rd Academic Week
Facility Summer/Reading Day/Break/Holiday Hours:
Common Labs
Monday – Friday: 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Design Studio
Monday – Friday: 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Machine Shop
Monday – Friday: 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
NOTE: Zachry Engineering Labs will follow the Texas A&M University Academic Calendar- our facilities will close if the University closes for holidays and will operate on appointment only via email for reading days. Please view the university academic schedule for dates the university is closed.
Personal Protective Equipment
The Common Labs have a basic PPE standard requirement across all thee floors.
Why?
Here in the Common Labs we are committed to:
- The safety of our students and staff
- Preparing our engineering students for industry expectations
Depending on the nature of the lab, there may be additional PPE requirements, such as a lab coat and gloves when handling chemicals. Students are responsible for coming to lab prepared and in proper attire.
Failure to come to lab with the proper PPE will result in the student being denied entree to the lab. Repeatedly disregarding PPE and safety standards could lead to more sever consequences, such as having access permanently revoked.
First Floor
Lab Spaces on the First Floor
- Baker Hughes Materials Laboratory
- Phillips 66 Fluids Laboratory
- Valero High Bay Lab
Second Floor
Lab Spaces on the Second Floor
- Dow Controls Lab
- Schneider Cyber-Physical Laboratory
- Shell Transport Phenomena Laboratory
Third Floor
Lab Spaces on the Third Floor
- Emerson Advanced Automation Laboratory
- Electrical Measurements
- Electrical Sciences
Staff
We are here to help you
The Common Labs employs fulltime staff and student workers dedicated to the individual floors of the labs. Staff and student workers are here to assist lab users with any issues that create barriers to students’ academic success while upholding the PPE and safety standards of the Common Labs.
Please report any issues with lab equipment or workstations to a student worker or staff member.
If you have and questions or concerns, please email [email protected].
What we can’t do
Student taking lab courses in the Common Labs are responsible for completing their own work with the support and guidance of their TAs and/ or lab partners. Lab staff and student workers may not assist lab users in a way that gives unfair advantage over other users, including by solving specific problems from lab manuals or by giving out equipment that has not been approved for use for the users lab course.
Differential tuition pays for enhancements to the learning experience of undergraduate students in engineering. These enhancements include extra sections of overfull courses, new computers and equipment, and even extra lecturers to teach classes. Learn more about differential tuition.
