Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Degree Proposal, Essays (university) of Biochemistry

Download Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Degree Proposal and more Essays (university) Biochemistry in PDF only on Docsity! 6/3/2019 Senate Proposal 12-06: Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Degree Proposal www.admin.mtu.edu/usenate/propose/06/12-06.htm 1/5 The University Senate of Michigan Technological University PROPOSAL 12-06 (Voting Units: Academic Departments) BIOCHEMISTRY AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY, B.S. with concentrations in Chemistry and Biological Sciences 1. Program Description The proposed Biochemistry and Molecular Biology B.S. degree will be offered through a collaboration of the departments of Chemistry and Biological Sciences. This new degree will be jointly administered by the two departments and combines the strengths of the existing biochemistry/molecular biology concentrations in each. The proposed program meets the guidelines set by the BIO2010 report (National Research Council of the National Academies, 2003) and the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (ASBMB) in having a strong basis in quantitative and physical sciences. Graduates will be prepared for technical and research positions in industry, particularly biomedical, pharmaceutical and agricultural sciences, and for advanced study in biochemistry, molecular biology, or health sciences. This B.S. program recognizes that biochemistry and molecular biology represent a melding of basic biology and chemistry concepts that truly integrates the topics. The subject can be studied from the perspective of molecular concepts that are applied to biological systems, or from a cellular biochemical process perspective progressing down to the molecular scale. Students will choose one of these two complementary approaches by selecting a concentration in Chemistry or a concentration in Biological Sciences. All students in this B.S. program take a common set of core courses in chemistry, biology, mathematics, and physics and an additional concentration in Chemistry or Biological Sciences. This degree is jointly administered by the departments of Chemistry and Biological Sciences through a committee composed of the two department chairs, and two faculty members from each department. 2. Rationale Expanding career opportunities in biomedical and biotechnical fields will be available to graduates with a practical and in-depth understanding of biochemistry and molecular biology. These skills cannot be conveniently acquired through traditional biology or chemistry degree programs. The joint program takes advantage of faculty expertise in both departments and offers students the choice of focusing on chemistry or biological processes in their advanced courses. During the past decade, the interrelationships between the disciplines of biochemistry and molecular biology have grown so numerous and complex that the previously distinct boundary between these two disciplines has essentially vanished and a program with the combined name of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology is appropriate. In addition to traditional areas of research specialization, new areas such as Metabolomics, Bioinformatics, Genomics and Proteomics have appeared at the interfaces of biology and chemistry. Irrespective of the model system being studied (plants, bacteria, yeasts, animal cells), investigators now utilize an array of sophisticated techniques and approaches to address complex cellular problems. Application of these techniques, and development of improved ones, requires a thorough theoretical understanding of their underlying mechanisms. In recognition of the increased use of molecular tools and approaches in biochemistry, the premier society for biochemistry, The American Society for Biochemistry (ASB), was renamed to reflect this change; it is now the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (ASBMB). The collaboration of the two departments provides disciplinary strength as well as diversity to this B.S. program. This program will provide the State of Michigan with graduates educated to actively engage in life science, biotechnology and pharmaceutical research and industrial productivity. Graduates will be prepared to join a workforce that increasingly demands interdisciplinary and technologically savvy employees in the biochemical, biomedical and molecular biology fields. This program draws on the strength of the existing degree concentrations in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology in both the Biological Sciences and Chemistry departments and complements other recent B.S. degree programs in Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Cheminformatics, and in Bioinformatics at Michigan Tech. The curricular model for this degree is based directly upon the recommendations forwarded by the ASBMB. 3. Related Programs The following related programs exist at MTU. B.S. in Biological Sciences, Molecular Biology and Biochemistry concentration B.S. in Chemistry with Biochemistry concentration (ACS approved) B.S. in Bioinformatics B.S. in Cheminformatics 6/3/2019 Senate Proposal 12-06: Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Degree Proposal www.admin.mtu.edu/usenate/propose/06/12-06.htm 2/5 B.S. in Biochemistry Department of Chemistry B.S. in General Biochemistry Department of Chemistry B.S. in Professional Biochemistry Curriculum Department of Chemistry B.S. in Biochemistry/Toxicology Program Department of Chemistry B.S. in Biology (Cell and Molecular Biology) Department of Biology B.A. in Biochemistry Department of Physical Sciences B.S. in Biotechnology Department of Biological Sciences B.S. in Cell and Molecular Biology Interdisciplinary Program (Chemistry, Biology, & Biological Health B.S. in Biology (Genetics and Cell/Molecular Biology) Department of Biology B.S. in Chemistry (Biochem. and Biotechnology Emphasis) Department of Chemistry B.S. in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology B.S. in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology/Biotechnology Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology B.S. in Biochemistry Department of Chemistry B.S. in Biochemistry Interdisciplinary major (Biology & Chemistry) B.S. in Biology (Cell and Molecular Biology) Department of Biology B.S. in Biochemistry Interdisciplinary major B.S. in Biochemistry, Cellular and Molecular Biology Interdisciplinary major (Department of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology) B.S./M.S. 5 year program in Cellular and Molecular Biology and Biomedical Engineering Department of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology (with Biomedical Engineering) B.S. in Biochemistry Department of Natural Sciences B.S. in Pharmaceutical Chemistry The following related minors are also available o Biochemistry (Biological Sciences) o Bioprocess Engineering (offered jointly by Chemical Engineering and Biological Sciences) o Plant Biotechnology (offered jointly by Department of Biological Sciences and the School of Forest Resources and Environmental Science) Related Bachelor of Science Degrees at other State of Michigan Universities Central Michigan University Eastern Michigan Univ. Ferris State University Grand Valley State Univ. Michigan State Univ. Northern Michigan University Oakland University Saginaw Valley State University University of Michigan, Ann Arbor University of Michigan, Dearborn