March 22-23, 2001

ITEM 110-1006-R0301   Approval of Proposal to Add an Option in Microbial Ecology to the Master of Science Degree in Microbiology and the Doctor of Philosophy Degree in Biochemistry/ Microbiology; The University of Montana-Missoula


THAT: The Board of Regents of Higher Education authorizes The University of Montana-Missoula to establish an option in Microbial Ecology to the Master of Science Degree in Microbiology and the Doctor of Philosophy Degree in Biochemistry/Microbiology.


EXPLANATION: Graduate degrees in Biochemistry/ Microbiology are currently offered with options in Biochemistry, Microbiology, and Molecular Biology. This proposal would add a fourth option in Microbial Ecology, available to students interested in ecological aspects of microbiology. Current program structure does not adequately accommodate students with this educational goal. An increasing number of jobs is being advertised in the Microbial Ecology area (last year, 20 to 40 percent of microbiology jobs advertised in A.S.M. News), there is increased funding at the national level, and consequently, there is an increase in student interests. Of the last seven faculty hires in the Microbiology/Biochemistry program at The University of Montana-Missoula, three are in the field of Microbial Ecology. To our knowledge, there are no established graduate programs with defined curricula that focus on the area of microbial ecology in Montana, the Pacific Northwest, or states bordering Montana. The only established program in this area that has been identified in the U.S. is in Pennsylvania. Therefore, the addition of this option, which is resource-neutral, would attract nationally competitive graduate students to UM-M and Montana.

The completed signature page resides on file at the President's Office, The University of Montana-Missoula.

ATTACHMENT:   Program Description.