From the Dean
Science Journal -- June 1995 -- Vol. 12, Issue No. 2
Dear Science Alumni,
One of the exciting transformations taking place at Penn State is the reshaping of the biological sciences, which now are spread out over at least 20 departments in 6 colleges. In a move to streamline and strengthen the level of coordination in the biological sciences, the University appointed a life-sciences study group in 1993, which consisted of 11 faculty members including our own Andy Clark, professor of biology, and Ross Hardison, professor of biochemistry. The study group carefully analyzed Penn State's situation and also assessed the organization of the biological sciences at a number of other prominent public universities.
This group recommended that the University administration seriously consider reshaping the biological sciences at Penn State. Its recommendations called for the creation of a college of life sciences, which President Thomas concluded was not a feasible option. Instead, he appointed an implementation committee, consisting of the deans of the affected colleges, to devise a workable plan that would meet the goals of the life-sciences study group.
The result is a plan to establish a new Division of Biological Sciences, which will overlay the existing departments and colleges without affecting the present organizational structure and faculty appointments. The division will be coordinated by a faculty steering committee, which currently is chaired by Nina Fedoroff, who is professor of biology, Verne M. Willaman Professor of Life Sciences, and director of the Biotechnology Institute.
The division will consist of a number of interdisciplinary graduate programs plus a coordinated program for introductory undergraduate life-sciences courses. Penn State undergraduates interested in majoring in the biological sciences would receive their first one or two years of instruction and advising within the division's coordinated program. The interdisciplinary graduate programs would be very similar to Penn State's already existing intercollege graduate degree programs, but would be administered by the steering committee. A set of core technology facilities will be established and maintained by the division to enhance both the research and teaching efforts in the biological sciences.
As a result of enhanced coordination, Penn State expects to gain the
ability to respond more swiftly and powerfully to evolving strategic goals
in the biological sciences. For example, if Penn State decided to build
strength in neuroscience, we might need to add new faculty with areas of
specific expertise in biology, health, human development, and animal research.
We anticipate that the structure provided by the new Division of Biological
Sciences would make possible the planned, coordinated, university-wide
recruiting effort that would be necessary for bringing together a focused
research group of the highest-caliber faculty at Penn State.