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.