��������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� January
18-19, 2001
NOTICE OF INTENT���������� 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.