��������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� January
18-19, 2001
NOTICE OF INTENT���������� Approval of Proposal to Add an
Option in Microbial Ecology to the Bachelor of Science Degree in 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 Bachelor of
Science degree in Microbiology.
EXPLANATION:����������������� The
proposed new program, which is resource neutral, is an expansion of an existing
program.� This proposal would offer a
B.S. in Microbiology with an option in Microbial Ecology, in addition to the
currently offered general microbiology degree.�
This option would be 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 interest.�
Of the last seven faculty hires in the Microbiology/ Biochemistry
program (UM-M), three are in the field of Microbial Ecology.� To our knowledge, there are no established
undergraduate programs with defined curricula that focus in the area of
microbial ecology in Montana, the Pacific Northwest, or states bordering
Montana.� Indeed, the only established
program in this area in the United States is in Pennsylvania.� Therefore, the addition of this option would
attract nationally competitive undergraduate students to UM-M and Montana.
The completed signature page resides on file at the
President�s Office, The University of Montana-Missoula.