ITEM 106-2009-R0300 ATTACHMENT

March 23-24, 2000

PROGRAM INFORMATION

1. PROGRAM DESCRIPTION.

Montana State University-Bozeman is requesting a Level II change to restructure the Biology Department in the College of Letters and Science into the Department of Ecology and the Department of Cell Biology and Neuroscience.

1) The field of biology has grown tremendously in the past few decades in terms of depth and breadth of knowledge and also in public interest. As biology has expanded, biologists have become ever more specialized and less likely to interact professionally across disciplines. At MSU the current Biology Department contains faculty with interests in two separate disciplinary areas: a) Ecology and Fish/Wildlife Management, and b) Cell Biology and Neuroscience. Housing them in the same department limits the independent growth and success of each group.

2) The current Biology Department offers a degree in Biological Sciences with over 600 undergraduate students enrolled in four options: Biology, Biomedical Sciences, Biology Teaching and Fish and Wildlife Management.

2. NEEDS ASSESSMENT

The teaching and research expertise of the faculty in the current Biology Department are divided into two distinct areas: 1) Ecology and Fish/Wildlife Management and 2) Cell Biology and Neuroscience. Although both of these areas fall within the larger context of Biological Sciences, there is little overlap between the upper division curricula, graduate training programs or research interests of these two groups. The proposed restructuring follows a national trend separating comprehensive departments of Biology or Zoology into more specialized departments of Ecology, Evolutionary Biology, Molecular and Cell Biology, Genetics or Neuroscience. These new departmental structures reflect the advances in biological research over the last several decades. In many institutions, this type of restructuring has been very successful in improving the instructional and research programs of the new departments. We are confident that such a restructuring would also benefit undergraduate and graduate training in the biological sciences at MSU.

Recently, an American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) panel of distinguished scientists invited to review the Environmental Sciences at MSU concluded that "It is very clear that interests and aspirations among the faculty in the current Biology Department are highly bimodal and that a split between these modes-- a neurobiology group and a group centered in ecology and ecosystem management is inevitable and desirable." This recommended restructuring is in accordance with the unanimous wishes of the faculty in both modes. The formation of two separate departments will allow both groups to establish a unique identity within Montana State University and build a reputation for excellence at the national level. A unique identity is especially important for the successful recruiting and training of graduate students. At the institutional level, the revised structure will increase the ability of faculty in both groups to develop graduate programs and research initiatives while maintaining a strong unified commitment to undergraduate curricula. In addition, the two new departments will be more effective in strategic planning efforts at the departmental level and as participants in campus wide initiatives.

3. RELATION TO ROLE AND SCOPE

This proposal will have no impact on the institution's role and scope.

4. PARTICIPANTS AND ADMINISTRATIVE STRUCTURE

This proposal involves all of the Biology Department faculty, staff and students. The faculty will be split almost equally between the two new departments. One new department head will be required and one new staff member will be added to assist the new department head. Undergraduate students will continue to receive Biological Sciences degrees in four options under the joint administration of the two new departments. A committee of four faculty members, two from each new department, will oversee the joint Biological Sciences curriculum. The clerical administration of undergraduate students will continue cooperatively using the staff of the two new departments. Graduate student supervision will continue by individual faculty and graduate committees, while their administrative and clerical needs will be handled by the staff of the new departments.

The biology courses in the Biological Sciences curriculum will be taught by the same faculty that presently teach these courses. Some courses within the biology rubric are currently taught by faculty from the Plant Sciences and Entomology departments in the College of Agriculture. This model of teaching across departments and colleges will be the future of biology instruction as curricula become more specialized and tailored to career choices. Thus teachers will be drawn for their expertise in a particular field and not necessarily their departmental affiliation.

5. REGIONAL PROGRAM UNIQUENESS

Restructuring into the Department of Ecology and the Department of Cell Biology and Neuroscience will result in a unique organization compared to other regional western land grant institutions.

6. ACCREDITATION

Montana State University has just completed an accreditation review by the Northwest Association of Schools and Colleges. There are no specific specialized programs subject to further review within the proposed new structure.

7. PROPOSED CURRICULUM

No proposed curricular changes are planned immediately. A long-term institutional goal is the development of a comprehensive curriculum in the Biological Sciences. This new curriculum will involve several departments in the College of Letters and Science and the College of Agriculture. The new departments of Ecology and Cell Biology & Neuroscience will be active participants in the development and delivery of the new curriculum.

FISCAL IMPACT AND BUDGET INFORMATION

The immediate budgetary impact will be the addition of an additional Department Head and a new support staff member. Since current faculty members are being asked to step into the department head position this will entail funding of one additional administrative component of headship and new support staff member. The current Biology Department office is understaffed so the new staff member will simply fill a needed position. Funding for these positions will come from reallocation within the College of Letters and Science. The present staff will share duties in managing undergraduate and graduate students in the Biological Sciences curricula.

FACULTY AND STAFF REQUIREMENTS

1. PARTICIPATING FACULTY

Participating faculty include members of the current Biology Department. A list is attached.

2. NEW FACULTY REQUIREMENTS

Additional new faculty are not required at this time.

3. REQUIRED NEW SUPPORT PERSONNEL

One new support staff member will be required.

CAPITAL OUTLAY, OPERATING EXPENDITURES AND PHYSICAL FACILITIES

1. OPERATING EXPENSES

Operating expenses will be increased with the addition of one new support staff member and the assignment of one faculty member to department head status. The current Biology Department is understaffed so the additional staff member will help to alleviate this problem. Increased office costs will include telephone system, copier and office furniture. All of these financial changes will be handled by reallocation of funds within the College of Letters and Science.

2. LIBRARY RESOURCES

There will be no change in the library resources required.

3. REQUIRED SPECIAL EQUIPMENT

None.

4. NEW FACILITIES AND SPACE

None.

EVALUATION OF PROPOSED PROGRAM

1. REVIEWS

An AAAS panel recently recommended restructuring of the Biology Department into two different groups, one centered in ecology and ecosystems and one in neurobiology. The plans for these two new departments were developed by the faculty and subsequently reviewed by the Dean of the College of Letters and Science, the Dean of Agriculture, the Provost and the VP for Research. All faculty and administrators unanimously approved the restructuring plans.

2. CONSULTANTS

None.

PROPOSED CELL BIOLOGY AND NEUROSCIENCE DEPARTMENT FACULTY

PROPOSED ECOLOGY DEPARTMENT FACULTY