On October 14, 2004 the university added 150 acres (607,000 m²) in an
ambitious attempt to create the largest research park inside the Washington, DC Capital Beltway.
"M Square" solidifies the university's goal of excellent undergraduate
education coupled with breakthrough research. The current construction of a new Biotechnology Research Building on campus will
also be sure to bolster university reserach in life sciences and continue driving forward the state's already impressive
biotechnology industry.The University of Maryland's unique location near Washington, DC
has created strong research partnerships especially with government agencies. These relationships have created numerous research
opportunities for the university including:
- taking the lead in the nation-wide research initiative into the transmission and prevention of Avian influenza
- creating a new research center to study the behaviorial and social foundations of terrorism with a grant from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security
- launching the joint NASA-University of Maryland "Deep Impact" spacecraft in early
January, 2005. On July 4, 2005 the craft will land on the "Temple 1" comet to analyze
its compenents and help scientists at the university and NASA better understand the composition of the universe