7 September 2012
To:
Leonid Kalachev, Chair Mathematics and Statistics; Mark Cracolice, Chair of Chemistry; Yolanda Reimer, Chair of
Computer Science; Andrew Ware Chair of Physics and Astronomy; Chris Comer, Dean of Letters and Sciences; Perry
Brown, Provost for Academic Affairs;
From: Frank Rosenzweig, Professor of Biology
Re:
Proposed new Option for the Biology Major: Level I change with Level II documentation
Cc:
Camie Foos, Faculty Senate Secretary; Charles Janson, Associate Dean, Division of Biological Sciences;
The Division of Biological Sciences is pleased to put forward for your consideration a proposed new Option in the Biology
major: Genetics and Evolution (GE). As nothing in biology makes sense except in the light of evolution, and evolution must be
interpreted through the lens of genetics, these fields have long occupied a central position in the life sciences. Their central
position has recently been consolidated by the advent of genomics, which now makes possible the functional and comparative
analysis of whole genomes and the molecules they express. The resulting paradigm shifts, driven by new and rapidly advancing
technologies, are bringing about radically new approaches to agriculture, bioengineering, conservation and medicine. These
changes motivate the Division to establish a new Option that will provide Montana undergraduates with a thorough grounding
in classical, population and molecular genetics and genomics. The University of Montana has long had expertise in these
disciplines. Sixteen of forty-one tenure-line faculty routinely use genetics to address questions that are fundamentally
evolutionary in nature. Half of these are evolutionary geneticists, as evidenced by publications in high-profile journals such as
Genetics, Evolution, PLoS Genetics, PNAS (USA), Science and Nature. Strength in this area has recently been increased by
four targeted hires in behavioral, evolutionary and conservation genomics. These developments make it not only possible, but
also imperative that the Division implement a vertically integrated undergraduate curriculum in Genetics and Evolution. With
that goal in mind, Biological Sciences is now offering two new upper division courses (BIOB375, General Genetics and
BIOB491, Introduction to Genomics) that, together with a strong existing course (BIOE370/371, General Ecology) will form
the core of the new GE option. GE students will also be required to complete the 2-year lower division Biology core,
Biochemistry, 4 upper division classes in Genetics, Evolution and Physiology, as well as the core curriculum in Mathematics,
Chemistry and Physics required under the current Option for Ecology and Organismal Biology. This rigorous training will
produce undergraduates fully prepared to tackle the challenges of post-graduate study in biology, medicine, agriculture,
biotechnology and bioengineering, all of which require a thorough understanding of genetics and evolution.
Leaders in business and industry, government and academia have predicted that the 21 st Century will be the “Age of
Biology.” Anticipating that reality, the new option in Genetics and Evolution will advance the University’s 20/20 Strategic
Plan. GE faculty will offer in a dynamic learning environment cutting-edge training in key disciplines that will prepare our
students to be leaders in the Age of Biology, fostering discovery and creativity to serve Montana and the world.
I thank you in advance for your time and worthy consideration. If you have questions about the proposed Genetics and
Evolution Option, please do not hesitate to call upon me.