Basic Biological Sciences

Reorganization of the Basic Biological Sciences
Progress Report

Report to the Regents
April 11, 1997

C. Eugene Allen
Frank Cerra
W. P. Shively

Basic Biological Sciences Reorganization Website

Mission - Reorganization of the Basic Biological Sciences

Basic Biological Sciences

Provide fundamental insights into how biological systems work (curiosity driven)

Provide the foundations of applied biology (e.g. agriculture, medicine, natural resources)

e.g. fruit fly development & cancer
e.g. enzyme mechanisms & bioremediation of environmental pollutants

Why Reorganize Biology?

  • Biology has been and continues to be a major sector of the state economy
  • Biological research contributes substantially to the quality of life of the citizens of the state
  • Biological research accounts for approx. 70% of research income/expenditures at the U of M
  • The basic biological sciences are critical to applied biological research
  • The reputation of the basic biological sciences at the U of M has declined in the past 20 years
  • Number of majors
  • National rankings(~36)
  • Biotechnology

    Challenges and Strategies

    Reduce dispersion

    Constraint

    Partial Solutions

    Chronology (Highlights)

    President charges provosts and Biological Sciences Policy Council with examining merits of reorganizing biology (11/95)

    Faculty (Phillips) committee, appointed by BSPC, issues report recommending unification of biology through reorganization (2/96)

    BSPC consults with faculty and deans of approx. 14 colleges (2/96-5/96)

    BSPC submits report to Provosts (6/96)

    BSPC, provosts, Phillips committee discuss report; biologists surveyed (8/96)

    Proposal for Intercollegiate Partnership developed and widely circulated (11/96)

    Third set of Town Meetings (12/96)

    Feedback meetings with faculty in various basic biological sciences (3/97)

    Basic Biological Sciences Reorganization Website

    Changes Underway

    Undergraduate

  • CBS has become a freshman admitting college and been identified as the focus of undergraduate education in biology
  • Development of residential college (Biology House)
  • Development of special programs and new research opportunities
  • Master professors will be named and will oversee curriculum
  • New majors; e.g. neuroscience and human biology
  • Mpls undergraduate advising office

    Graduate

  • Consolidation of existing graduate programs and development of broad-based recruiting, educational and advising programs (e.g. biomedical sciences)
  • Professional Master's Programs

    Proposals

  • Mergers of departments with common missions
  • Creation of new departments
  • Relocation of some research groups on a "space available" basis to create critical mass in forefront areas
  • Improved transportation and communication between Mpls & St. Paul
  • Establishment of a University-wide Faculty Executive Council to provide advice on policy
    Academic Health Center