SELF STUDY REPORT: ECU BIOLOGY UNIT ACADEMIC PROGRAM REVIEW (2011) I. PROGRAM DESCRIPTION 1.1 Exact Title(s) of Unit Program Department of Biology 1.2 Department or Interdisciplinary Group Authorized to Offer Degree Program(s) Biology; Interdisciplinary PhD in Biological Sciences; Coastal Resource Management 1.3 Exact Title(s) of Degrees granted Bachelor of Science, Master of Science, Doctor of Philosophy (students supervised by faculty members) 1.4 College or School Thomas Harriot College of Arts and Sciences 1.5 Brief History and Mission The first biology course at East Carolina University (ECU) was offered in 1910, and the Department of Biology was established in 1963. The Master’s in Biology was initiated in 1964. During the succeeding 20 years, concentrations in ecology and environmental science, biochemistry, and cell biology were developed within this MS program. Revision and expansion of the Biochemistry concentration during 1990-91 led to the establishment of a second Master’s program in Molecular Biology/Biotechnology in 1992. Interdisciplinary doctoral programs in Coastal Resources Management (CRM) and Biological Sciences (IDPBS) were established in 1998 and1999, respectively. The CRM program hosts approximately 16 departments, and students pursue studies in and conduct research relevant to two of the following concentrations: coastal and estuarine ecology, coastal geosciences, and social science and coastal policy. Participants in the IDPBS program consist of the academic departments of the Brody School of Medicine, and the departments of Biology and Chemistry. Students complete a concise core curriculum, followed by an individually tailored selection of electives offered by the three participating units. In 2009 Biology obtained control of its own track within IDPBS. The ECU student body has grown rapidly—far more rapidly than most NC universities-- in students and the same trends have been present in Biology majors as well as, to an even greater extent, students from other majors served by Biology (e.g. nurses). The Biology faculty has also increased, though at a substantially slower pace. The Department moved into its current home, Howell Science in 1970. The challenges associated with this antiquated and decaying physical plant, together with the limited support for maintenance and renovation, have been major issues for the Department for several years. As for many state institutions, continuing cuts have also created increasing fiscal challenges. These worsened dramatically with the fiscal crisis and associated cuts in 2009, resulting in the loss of two long-serving fixed term (FT) faculty members. Depending on how the current round of cuts is implemented, the composition of the Department’s faculty, and their ability to conduct funded research, may shortly be substantially altered. Mission Statement: The Department of Biology at East Carolina University seeks to achieve excellence in life science education, research, and service for the benefit of our region, our state, and the living world. 1.6 Relationship of the program to UNC’s Strategic Goals and to the ECU Mission and to ECU’s Strategic Directions (ECU Biology alignments in italics) Here we focus on ECU’s mission, which overlaps extensively with ECU’s strategic goals (http://www.ecu.edu/mktg/ecu_tomorrow/our_strategic_directions.cfm) and is more relevant than the UNC’s strategic goals (the latter are also expected to be modified with the arrival of a new system president). ECU’s mission: To serve as a national model for public service and regional transformation by * Preparing our students to compete and succeed in a global economy and multicultural society, The Department of Biology trains and engages students in areas such as biotechnology and the management of biological resources, each of which will be critical to success in the global economy. Biology is an inherently international, multicultural discipline with key advances occurring globally. * Distinguishing ourselves by the ability to train and prepare leaders, Among the students of ECU’s Honors College (which arguably constitutes the highest concentration of future leaders on campus), the single largest major is Biology. * Creating a strong, sustainable future for eastern North Carolina through education, research, innovation, investment, and outreach, One of the principal aims of the Department of Biology’s recently established North Carolina Center for Biodiversity is the sustainability of North Carolina’s precious natural resources through biodiversity research and exploration, as well as the education of the public, our students, and citizens. Research and education in diverse areas of biology are at the core of the mission of the Department of Biology. * Saving lives, curing diseases, and positively transforming health and health care, With several faculty engaged in cancer research and others engaged in evolutionary medicine, the study of development, and biotechnology research, the Department of Biology contributes critically to advancing health care—moreover, we play a major role in the state’s largest program for the training of nurses. * Providing cultural enrichment and powerful inspiration as we work to sustain and improve quality of life. Local biodiversity is central to every culture and ECU Biology’s North Carolina Center for Biodiversity is dedicated to celebrating our biodiversity and educating our citizens about it. Throughout our Department’s curriculum and outreach we enrich public understanding of our place in the natural world and inspire students toward humanitarian goals of improving human health and conserving nature. 2 1.7 Degree Program Objectives, Outcomes and Uniqueness Undergraduate: The BS Biology and BS Biochemistry degree programs currently have the following strategic objectives: • to recruit qualified students into our program, and • to prepare these students—in an adequate and competitive manner—to enter graduate or professional school programs or obtain a position in the biological sciences or a relevant, related field. Both degree programs also have the following learning outcomes • to become effective at scientific communication • to become effective at scientific experimentation. The BS Biology degree has an additional outcome of improvement in the subject areas of 1) Cell Biology 2) Molecular Biology and Genetics 3) Organismal Biology 4) Population Biology/Evolution/Ecology. The BS Biochemistry degree program has an additional objective of • Knowledge of biochemistry. Graduate: The shared fundamental objectives of our graduate programs are: 1) Advance the current state of knowledge and understanding of the principles of biology 2) Design and conduct research that addresses local and national needs 3) Understand the unity of science and its disciplines 4) Educate others in the methodological and analytical skills necessary to investigate complex problems in biological systems 5) Demonstrate a commitment to responsible, ethical conduct in biological research, and inform the public of the societal relevance and consequences of biological research We expect our graduates to understand the scientific method and how to conduct scientific research, beginning with the conceptualization of a research problem, its subsequent articulation as a proposal for investigation, the delineation and testing of hypotheses, and the analyses of the findings and their integration into the major issues of the relevant discipline. Concomitant expectations are a solid understanding of the basic principles of biology, literacy and expertise in a specific sub-discipline, and the capacity to effectively transfer knowledge and understanding of biological phenomena to peers and the public. It is also important that our students are equipped with the skills and experience necessary to work individually and collaboratively, and to compete successfully in the modern job market. Our Master’s programs belong to a small group of stand-alone graduate programs within the state, and our Molecular Biology/Biotechnology program was the first such Master’s program in North Carolina. Our doctoral CRM program is one of few such degree offerings in the US, and our IDPBS program is distinctive in offering the potential to integrate biology, biomedicine, and biological chemistry. ECU’s School of Medicine (and forthcoming School of Dentistry) attracts students interested 3 in obtaining advanced degrees in applied human biology, and as potential sources of professional employment. ECU’s geographic location in the biologically diverse Coastal Plain, and proximity to the Albemarle-Pamlico Estuarine system and the Atlantic Ocean, similarly generate interest in our graduate programs. 1.8. Program Enrichment Opportunities Seminar series and discussion groups The main Departmental Seminar series primarily features invited faculty from NC universities and adjacent states. At least one faculty member per year from a more distant institution is brought for a longer visit. Recently, the Department has been sharing expenses with ECU faculty members to more frequently bring current or potential collaborators and affiliates from more distant institutions. Faculty members typically use F&A (overhead) from grants for this purpose, but some have obtained grants that specifically support speakers (e.g. Matt Schrenk, from NASA). We have also added one pedagogically focused lecture each spring to keep faculty up to date (and inspired) about best practices in science teaching. The recently established Research in