DRAFT Pending UCLA Division of Academic Senate Review
APPENDIX 2
UCLA
Five-Year Perspective of Proposed Degree Programs:
2008-09 through 2013-14
CPEC Descriptions of Programs Proposed for Implementation in the Next Two Years
A. PROPOSED INTERDISCIPLINARY PROGRAMS
2
UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, LOS ANGELES
INTERDEPARTMENTAL PROGRAM IN COMPLEX HUMAN SYSTEMS (B.A.)
(Formerly Computational Social Science)
DESCRIPTION AND REASONS FOR PROPOSAL: The Division of Social Sciences proposes an
interdepartmental program leading to a Bachelor's in Complex Human Systems. Using both theoretical
research and applied computation, this program will study de-centralized, or complex biological, social,
technological, and creative systems. It analyzes the behavior and interaction of the inhabitants of these
systems. It examines how system structure influences behavior and interaction and thus affects system
performance. Special emphasis is placed on the role of information—how information gets represented,
processed and communicated. Students will develop analytical skills and learn methodological tools that
are relevant for the workplace in the emerging techno-economy.
Faculty and courses will be drawn from many disciplines including Economics, Geography, Sociology,
Information Studies, Anthropology, Political Science, Cognitive Science, Computer Science,
Communication Studies, English, Policy Studies, Management, Psychology, Design, Biology,
Mathematics, Physiology, Arts, Classics, History and Architecture. In addition, the IDP will incorporate
the participation of the larger community of scholars in other academic institutions and in private industry.
RELATIONSHIP TO EXISTING CAMPUS PROGRAMS AND MISSION: The Graduate School of
Education and Information Studies offers coursework in Social Informatics, the body of research and study
that examines social aspects of computerization—including the roles of
information technology in social and organizational change. The proposed IDP in Complex Human
Systems, while incorporating some elements of Social Informatics, is concerned with applied computing in
social science disciplines and the synthesis of research resulting from these methods and interdisciplinary
approaches. In addition, it will train students in computational methods.
NEW STAFF AND FACILITIES REQUIREMENTS: No new staff or administrative unit is
anticipated in start-up years. The program will be directed and counseled by the IDP chair and selected
faculty and administered by an as yet undetermined academic department or ORU currently existing in the
Social Sciences Division.
PROJECTED ENROLLMENT: 50 – 100.
PLANNED IMPLEMENTATION DATE: Undetermined.
UC CAMPUSES AND OTHER CALIFORNIA INSTITUTIONS OFFERING SIMILAR
PROGRAMS: There are no comparable programs offered in California.
EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES: The program in Complex Human Systems offers the graduate
marketable skills. Should the graduate seek to continue an academic career in the social sciences, this
degree will prepare him/her to employ computational methods in his/her research. Should the graduate
seek to enter the private sector, advanced computing and application skills will make the social science
graduate that much more likely to find employment in computer-dependent companies.
STATUS OF PROPOSAL: Under development.
3
UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, LOS ANGELES
COMPUTATIONAL & SYSTEMS BIOLOGY (C&SB) – BS/MS
DESCRIPTION AND REASONS FOR PROPOSAL: We are proposing to extend our undergraduate
C&SB IDP in a major way into an innovative 5-year combined honors BS/MS program. It will include a 2
to 2½ -year research component, emphasizing cutting-edge interdisciplinary research for undergraduates,
in preparation for postgraduate studies and more advanced research. It will be actualized in collaborative
research laboratory experiences, and new gateway and capstone coursework that includes development of
research communication skills, ethics and interdisciplinary scientific methods. Research projects and
laboratory teams will be selected in the junior year; and research will be the major focus in the senior year
(Senior Thesis). The 5th year, in undergraduate Departmental Scholar status, is proposed, leading to a
combined award of an MS as well as the BS degree, for completing a Master’s level Thesis while still an
undergraduate. This proposal was recommended strongly in the last Academic Senate 8-year review of our
program.
RELATIONSHIP TO EXISTING CAMPUS PROGRAMS AND MISSION: The 35-year old UCLA
undergraduate Cybernetics Interdepartmental Program (IDP) changed names and emphasis 2 years ago,
when it evolved as the C&SB undergrad IDP. Dynamic biosystems modeling, other computational and
systems biology methods and research are primary foci of the new program. It always provided
exceptional undergrad training for exceptional students interested in graduate studies, especially in life
sciences, engineering and medicine. The sharper focus and added emphasis on research will enhance this
connectivity. It meshes well at UCLA, for example, with the graduate Biomedical Engineering and
Bioinformatics IDPs, the Biomathematics and Computer Science Depts. It remains unique on campus,
with no other department or program providing an undergraduate track or other training with a systems
biology or systems modeling emphasis.
NEW STAFF AND FACILITIES REQUIREMENT: Our current SAO position is for ¾-time. We will
need full-time support to accommodate the additional advising and administrative efforts required by the
combined BS/MS program. Support for the additional quarter-time has been requested in our February
2008 proposal to NSF (Interdisciplinary Training for Undergraduates in Biology and Math (UBM)
program)) for funding the research component of the new program. Facilities are currently adequate to
support the new program.
PLANNED IMPLEMENTATION DATE: 2009.
UC CAMPUSES AND OTHER CALIFORNIA INSTITUTIONS: UCSB has a Systems Biology PhD
program within Chemical Engineering. UCSF has a Complex Biological Systems concentration in their
Biophysics and Bioinformatics PhD programs. UCI has a PhD program in Mathematical, Computational
and Systems Biology (MCSB). USC Keck School of Medicine has a PhD program in Systems Biology
and Disease. Cal Tech has a Synthetic and Systems Biology PhD program within Bioengineering. The
Keck Graduate Institute (Claremont Colleges) also has several related graduate programs. Our program
emphasizes research in similar areas, but at the advanced undergraduate level.
STATUS OF THE PROPOSAL: In final stages of review by the IDP Advisory Committee. To be
submitted to the College Executive Committee Spring 2008.
4
UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, LOS ANGELES
INTERDEPARTMENTAL PROGRAM IN TRANSLATIONAL RESEARCH (PH.D.)
DESCRIPTION AND REASONS FOR PROPOSAL: After decades of basic research into the
mechanisms surrounding human biology and disease, we have entered an escalating phase of translating
these basic discoveries into devices, therapies and cures for many of the common diseases affecting
mankind. These include neurological and neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s
and ALS, inherited deficiencies leading to coronary artery disease, diabetes and behavioral abnormalities,
as well any number of illnesses resulting from pathogenic organisms including HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis C,
and HPV. With the ultimate goal of bringing progress made in the laboratory to the patient, translational
research is essential, commencing with work in animal models and proceeding through clinical trials on
human subjects ultimately resulting in FDA approval of new drugs, devices and therapies. Until now,
there have been no formal training programs that educate young scientists and physicians in the vital area
of translational research. Not only would such training demand an understanding of basic and clinical
science, but would necessitate a full understanding of regulatory issues governing the protection of human
research subjects, compliance and ethical issues. It is envisioned that a Ph.D. in translational research
would be attractive not only to graduate students in the life and biomedical sciences, but also to medical
residents and fellows (e.g. MSTP or STAR program students), as well as students from areas of public
health and health services related research.
RELATIONSHIP TO EXISTING CAMPUS PROGRAMS AND MISSION: The program will be
headquartered in the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, but will encompass other schools on
campus, as well as the affiliated teaching hospitals at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center and Harbor-UCLA
Medical Center. All faculty members at these institutions who will be serving as mentors will have (at a
minimum) in-residence appointments in relevant departments.
SIZE OF PROGRAM: At steady state the program will be home to some 50 to 60 Ph.D. students.
Anticipating an average time to degree of 5 years, 10 to12 new students will be admitted to the program
yearly.
FUNDING MECHANISM: Funding for this program will come from various sources. First and
foremost, from the NIH via the Clinical and Translational Science Award (CTSA) mechanism. This
provides for new initiatives in the training of qualified individuals in clinical and translational research.
UCLA will be applying for a $22 million (per year) grant from NIH to support clinical research in
Westwood as well as at Harbor-UCLA and Cedars-Sinai. Furthermore, start-up costs will come from the
three aforementioned institutions as a backup to the CTSA. Lastly, as with other Ph.D. programs in the
life and biomedical sciences, many students will obtain support from the research grants of their thesis
mentors.
5
UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, LOS ANGELES
INTERDEPARTMENTAL PROGRAM IN BIO-MEDICAL TECHNOLOGY (M.S.)
DESCRIPTION AND REASONS FOR PROPOSAL: We propose to develop a Professional Masters
Program in Bio-Medical Technology for students with undergraduate science backgrounds to pursue
careers in the biotechnology, pharmaceutical, and laboratory professions. The program will be selfsupporting, operating as a joint venture between the David Geffen School of Medicine and UCLA
Extension. This partnership will take advantage of UCLA Extension’s ability to develop and manage selfsupporting education programs; while the curriculum design, student selection, academic instruction, and
quality control of the degree program will be conducted through the School of Medicine. Bio-Medical
Technology is a rapidly expanding field underserved by existing training programs. Hospitals, biotech and
pharmaceutical companies and government and forensic laboratories currently report a shortage of welltrained workers. The program curriculum will be designed by a Faculty Advisory Committee with
significant input from External Advisors, to insure that the degree produces graduates that will be sought
after in the marketplace.
RELATIONSHIP TO EXISTING CAMPUS PROGRAMS AND MISSION: The Bio-Medical
Technology Masters program will be interdisciplinary in curriculum, with the contribution of faculty
members, space and equipment from many departments, including the Molecular and Medical
Pharmacology, Molecular and Cellular Pathology, Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology and
Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics. There are a few Masters Degree Programs in
biological science departments on campus, but none specifically train students for a professional career in
Bio-Medical Technology. Clinical Pathology hosts a joint training program with Cal State Dominguez
Hills to train six students annually as Medical Technologists, a certification required to work in clinical
diagnostic laboratories and requiring different training from our proposal.
NEW STAFF AND FACILITIES REQUIREMENTS: Instructors will be drawn from existing faculty
in participating departments, particularly the Molecular and Medical Pharmacology and Pathology
Departments. No additional faculty hires are expected to be required. The proposal includes the addition
of one full-time administrative staff position in the School of Medicine, and a half-time administrative
staff position in UCLA Extension. The proposal includes use of existing facilities, including classrooms,
meeting rooms, and teaching laboratories; within the School of Medicine and by arrangement with other
departments in the Division of Life Sciences.
PLANNED IMPLEMENTATION DATE: Fall 2010
UC CAMPUSES AND OTHER CALIFORNIA INSTITUTIONS OFFERING SIMILAR
PROGRAMS: At this time, no campuses in the UC System offer a program in Bio-Medical Technology.
A joint program in Applied Biotechnology Studies is offered at the Cal State schools of Dominguez Hills,
Fullerton, Long Beach, and Pomona. Cal State Fresno, Cal State San Marcos, and San Diego State
University also offer Masters in Biotechnology. None of the offered programs are in the Los Angeles area,
or offer the academic strength of UCLA. We plan this program to be rigorous and to provide graduates
with the opportunity to excel in the post-graduate marketplace.
EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES: The proposal includes the creation of a FTE administrative staff
position in the School of Medicine and a 50% administrative staff position in UCLA Extension.
STATUS OF PROPOSAL: Under development within School of Medicine, participating departments,
and UCLA Extension.
6
UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, LOS ANGELES
INTERDEPARTMENTAL PROGRAM IN NANOSCALE SCIENCE AND NANOTECHNOLOGY
(M.S./PH.D.)
DESCRIPTION AND REASONS FOR PROPOSAL: We propose to create an Interdepartmental
Program in Nanoscale Science and Nanotechnology composed of faculty from departments in the School
of Medicine, School of Engineering, and the Physical Sciences and Life Sciences Divisions of the College
of Arts and Sciences. This IDP will create the infrastructure for students to apply for and receive graduate
degree programs in nanoscience and nanotechnology at UCLA. It will further encourage collaborative
research among faculty across nearly all the schools at UCLA, including the schools not already
mentioned, such as business, law, etc. It will help train the next generation of scientists in a field widely
accepted as a revolutionary advancement for science and technology. Also the advanced degree programs
will attract more funding support in this field to the UCLA campus, aid faculty recruitment and retention,
and firmly establish UCLA as a leading institution in a field certain to be significant for academic and
industry careers of the future.
RELATIONSHIP TO EXISTING CAMPUS PROGRAMS AND MISSION: There are many existing
research projects related to nanoscale science and nanotechnology ongoing at UCLA. A clear evidence of
high activities in this area is the many nanotechnology-related centers and institutes funded at UCLA in
the last few years: California NanoSystems Institute, FENA, Center for Cell Control, CEIN, SINAM,
CENS, etc. To accommodate the strong research interest large number of courses covering nano-related
science and technology has been developed. However, due to the cross disciplinary nature of nanoscale
scientific investigation, related courses and research projects are spread across many departments in the
school of engineering, medical school, and the college. Multiple departments would offer courses on
related topics, yet students outside a department can only take a relevant course after receiving special
permission. A new IDP will be able to tackle these inefficiencies. Also, in the last five years, a handful of
universities have already established advanced degrees for nanotechnology or nanoscale science.
University of Washington established theirs five years ago and University of New Mexico just had their
new program approved this year. University of California, San Diego is in the process of developing an
advanced degree granting program in nanotechnology as well. As other prominent universities develop
nanoscale science and nanotechnology graduate degree programs and competition grows, UCLA will be at
a severe disadvantage in recruiting top graduate student candidates if it does not offer a similar degree and
admissions program. There is relatively little overlap between our proposal and existing programs at
UCLA.
NEW STAFF AND FACILITIES REQUIREMENT: The development of this degree program will
utilize resources already available to faculty and research program without significant additional costs.
CNSI, which leads this IDP effort, currently has 87 faculty members, ten of which are CNSI faculty at
50% FTE and another five 50% FTE being recruited. This group of faculty will play the leading roles in
the courses plan for the degree program. CNSI has the administrative support and existing office space that
can be utilized to run this IDP and the new degree programs.
PLANNED IMPLEMENTATION DATE: Fall Quarter 2012
UC CAMPUSES AND OTHER CALIFORNIA INSTITUTIONS OFFERING SIMILAR
PROGRAMS: UC San Diego planned for 2010.
STATUS OF THE PROPOSAL: Proposal development stage
7
UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, LOS ANGELES
EXECUTIVE MASTER’S PROGRAM IN CULTURAL RESOURCE MANAGEMENT (ECRM)
DESCRIPTION AND REASONS FOR PROPOSAL: The UCLA Executive Cultural Resource
Management Program (ECRM) is a professional certificate program designed for working professionals to
develop broad-based management and leadership skills while maintaining a full-time career. This proposal
creates a bridge between the growing applied archaeology field of Cultural Resource Management (CRM)
and the professional skills not provided in a typical anthropology undergraduate or Master’s program. It
also builds upon the model created by our top tier Anderson Executive Education program, by providing a
way for working professionals to continue to skill build and network with the leaders in their industry and
beyond.
UCLA faculty, external cultural resource professionals in private, state, tribal and federal agencies, and
anthropology faculty have reviewed the proposal and provided an enthusiastic response as well as support
letters. We expect to be completely self-sustaining by the end of the first programmatic year with 30
enrolled students per class. We recognize that there is a high demand for this program, but want to focus
on smaller class sizes to maximize the experience for the student.
RELATIONSHIP TO EXISTING CAMPUS PROGRAMS AND MISSION: It is expected that the
majority of the students enrolled will have multiple years of experience and be working in the cultural
resource management field. Every student that graduates from the program will be qualified to accept a
higher level of responsibility within their business or organization or they could pursue post-graduate
studies in archaeology, anthropology, or another related field. Both Anderson Executive Education and
Cotsen Institute of Archaeology have expressed strong support for the program and desire to work
cooperative towards its success.
NEW STAFF AND FACILIITES REQUIREMENT: The core faculty for the program will draw from
Anthropology, Cotsen Institute of Archaeology, and the Anderson School of Management. Staff
requirements will be supported by raised funds and tuition. The program will be administratively based in
the Cotsen Institute of Archaeology at UCLA (CIOA) with additional support by the Anderson School of
Management, assisting with lecture rooms, student lounge facilities, and library/study space. An office
suite will be established at CIOA for the director and support staff of the ECRM program. The evening and
weekend focus of the program allows for less stress on these limited facilities.
PLANNED IMPLEMENTATION DATE: January 2010.
UC CAMPUSES AND OTHER CALIFORNIA INSTITUTIONS: This program will be first of its kind
in the United States. Only 15 graduate programs offered any emphasis on CRM, either through courses,
internships or relationships with CRM firms. Currently, only one Master’s degree in CRM is available in
California (Sonoma State University) and no programs exist within the UC system. This program is well
suited for UCLA by taking a multidisciplinary approach from several of UCLA’s strongest fields, the
program will elucidate the role of cultural resource management in the anthropological, environmental,
business and legal disciplines. It will likewise impart the philosophical and ethical framework required for
this specialized area of archaeology by promoting an understanding of the cultural and historical context
and significance of material culture in today’s world by descendant communities and the larger public.
STATUS OF THE PROPOSAL: The draft proposal is being finalized between Anderson Executive
Education and the Cotsen Institute of Archaeology for formal presentations to each department. We hope
to have a final proposal ready for campus approval by June 2009.
8
UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, LOS ANGELES
MASTER OF PUBLIC HEALTH (M.P.H.), Health Policy AND MASTER OF PUBLIC POLICY
(M.P.P.)
DESCRIPTION AND REASONS FOR PROPOSAL: We propose the establishment of a concurrent
MPP/MPH degree between the Department of Public Policy in the School of Public Affairs and
Department of Health Services in the School of Public Health. The Department of Public Policy currently
offers three concurrent degrees (with the Law School, the Anderson School of Management, and the
Department of Social Welfare). The Department of Health Services currently offers three concurrent
degrees (with the Law School, the Anderson School of Management, and the Medical School). The
proposed MPP/MPH degree is modeled after existing concurrent degree programs between the Department
of Public Policy and Department of Health Services and other units on campus.
Other leading universities in the nation that have both public policy programs and public health or medical
schools provide the opportunity to receive joint or concurrent degrees. For example, the Goldman School
of Public Policy at the University of California, Berkeley, the Ford School of Public Policy at the
University of Michigan, and Humphrey Institute of Public Affairs at the University of Minnesota have
such degrees with their public health schools; the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University
offers a joint degree with the Harvard Medical School. (Because the University of Chicago, Princeton
University, and Georgetown University lack public health programs, they do not offer a comparable
degree.) As one of the leading campuses in the nation oriented to health services and health policy
research, UCLA is especially well positioned to offer a concurrent degree that brings together top-tier
training in public policy and health services.
There is a significant national and local need for skilled professionals who are well trained in policy
analysis and management and who are also knowledgeable about both the health care sector and policymaking institutions. Graduates of the concurrent MPP/MPH program will be able to contribute effectively
to identifying and evaluating both public and private policy options and management strategies that would
improve the health and health care of residents of California and the nation, while enhancing the
performance and efficiency of the health care system.
NEW STAFF AND FACILITIES REQUIREMENTS: We do not anticipate needing additional
academic staff. No additional faculty FTE are needed. Staffing and advising can be met with existing
resources.
PLANNED IMPLEMENTATION DATE: Fall 2010
STATUS OF PROPOSAL: The program is currently under review at the Campus level.
9
UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, LOS ANGELES
ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH (M.S.) AND URBAN PLANNING (M.A).
DESCRIPTION AND REASONS FOR PROPOSAL: The Department of Environmental Health
Sciences in the School of Public Health and the Department of Urban Planning in the School of Public
Affairs propose to create a concurrent degree program Environmental Health Sciences (M.S.) and Urban
Planning (M.A.)
There have been increasing efforts to bridge the disciplinary divides that separate these two areas to
develop innovative and effective policies and programs that address the leading health and environmental
challenges of the 21st century. Much of this effort has focused on research on the environmental impacts
of urban development. From air and water pollution to creation of urban heat islands and the degradation
of natural ecosystems, public health and urban planning professionals and scholars are finding common
ground in designing and implementing policies that address the very complex world in which we live.
Although faculty at UCLA have been working together across this disciplinary divide to devise research
projects that address such complex and urgent problems as urban air pollution, land use and physical
activity, and environmental justice issues, there remains no graduate training program that educates future
practitioners in this exciting and expanding field linking urban planning to environmental health sciences.
This joint degree program would train future scholars and practitioners at the interface between urban
planning and public health/environmental health sciences. The graduates of the program would be
uniquely poised to develop approaches and strategies that effectively address the complex nature of
contemporary public health/environmental challenges that arise from urban development.
RELATIONSHIP TO EXISTING CAMPUS PROGRAMS AND MISSION: The proposed three-year
concurrent degree program takes the best components of the existing programs and leverages the extensive
expertise and resources in the Department of Environmental Health Sciences (EHS) in the School of
Public Health, and the Department of Urban Planning (UP) in the School of Public Affairs. Our efforts
dovetail with a number of recent developments on campus, including the Chancellor’s UCLA in LA
initiative and efforts to create more opportunities for interdisciplinary scholarship and training.
Other institutions have recognized this need as well, and have already instituted joint/dual graduate degree
programs. Many of the elite public health and urban planning programs in the nation have instituted joint
graduate degree programs. The University of Michigan and the University of North Carolina – Chapel
Hill, both highly rated institutions in both public health and urban planning, have joint/dual masters
programs in public health and urban/city planning. In the UC system, only Berkeley has a concurrent
degree program in public health and urban planning.
NEW STAFF AND FACILITIES REQUIREMENTS: We do not anticipate needing additional
academic staff. No additional faculty FTE are needed. Staffing and advising can be met with existing
resources.
PLANNED IMPLEMENTATION DATE: Fall 2010
STATUS OF PROPOSAL: The program is currently under review at the Campus level.
10
UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, LOS ANGELES
MASTER OF AFRICAN STUDIES (M.A.) AND MASTER OF PUBLIC HEALTH (M.P.H.)
DESCRIPTION AND REASONS FOR PROPOSAL: The Department of Community Health Sciences
in the School of Public Health and the African Studies Program propose to create a concurrent degree
program Public Health (M.P.H.) and African Studies (M.A.)
Faculty and students in the School of Public Health and in the African Studies Program have a long history
of collaboration. This joint degree program would provide a more formal mechanism for training future
scholars and practitioners at the interface between these two disciplines.
RELATIONSHIP TO EXISTING CAMPUS PROGRAMS AND MISSION: Our efforts dovetail with
a number of recent developments across the country and within the UC system to train individuals in areas
related to Global and International Health.
NEW STAFF AND FACILITIES REQUIREMENTS: We do not anticipate needing additional
academic staff. No additional faculty FTE are needed. Staffing and advising can be met with existing
resources.
PLANNED IMPLEMENTATION DATE: Fall 2010
STATUS OF PROPOSAL: The program is currently under review at the Campus level.
11
B. PROPOSED DEPARTMENT-BASED PROGRAMS
12
UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, LOS ANGELES
ARMENIAN STUDIES (B.A.)
DESCRIPTION AND REASONS FOR PROPOSAL: The proposed Major in Armenian Studies will
provide students with a thorough interdisciplinary training in the core facets of language, literature, and
history, supplemented by electives from related fields. It will introduce them to an important Eurasian
culture with a long and varied history of interaction with both East and West, whose international status
has been enhanced by the post-Soviet geopolitical configuration and by its worldwide Diaspora. In
addition, the major will service a large constituency of students of Armenian heritage from the greater Los
Angeles area, now the second largest concentration of Armenians outside the Armenian Republic. Student
interest in the creation of the major is extremely high, not being satisfied with the smaller cluster of
courses comprising the popular Armenian Studies Minor introduced in 1998. Indeed, several students have
been so frustrated by the absence of a statutory major that they have produced their own variation on this
theme within the provisions of the Individual Major.
RELATIONSHIP TO EXISTING CAMPUS PROGRAMS AND MISSION: UCLA is one of the few
universities outside the Armenian Republic to possess two endowed chairs in the field, both of which have
been active since the 1960s. Under their auspices a complete overview of Armenian history is regularly
provided, as well as a full cycle of instruction in all main standards of the Armenian language (Classical.
Modern Eastern, and Modern Western). Within the last few years the program in Armenian literature has
been completely revamped and several new offerings added.
NEW STAFF AND FACILITIES REQUIREMENTS: Two lecturers supplement the instruction
provided by the two professorships mentioned above. Moreover, UCLA possesses the largest collection of
Armenian manuscripts and archives and one of the best library holdings in books, periodicals, and other
media in the Americas. Consequently, no supplementary resources would be required for the successful
implementation of the major.
PLANNED IMPLEMENTATION DATE: Admissions in Fall 2003 are currently anticipated.
UC CAMPUSES AND OTHER CALIFORNIA INSTITUTIONS OFFERING SIMILAR
PROGRAMS: The proposed Armenian Studies Major would be the only one of its kind in California and
one of the few nationwide. Individual courses and narrower concentrations are available at UC Berkeley,
and the Fresno and Northridge campuses of California State University.
EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES: In addition to affording general humanities and social sciences
skills suitable for a wide range of employment, the major would equip students to pursue a career in
international business and communications, teaching at various levels, etc.
STATUS OF PROPOSAL: The proposal has been approved by the departmental committee and is being
forwarded to the Faculty Executive Committee of the College of Letters and Science. Its speedy
implementation was recommended by the NELC department Eight Year Review in December 2000.
13
UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, LOS ANGELES
CHICANA/O STUDIES (M.A./PH.D.)
DESCRIPTION AND REASONS FOR PROPOSAL: The UCLA César E. Chávez Department of
Chicana and Chicano Studies proposes a combined M.A. and Ph.D. program that will train graduate
students to critically analyze Chicana/o life, history, and culture in the context of an increasingly complex
global, transnational society. Chicana and Chicano Studies has developed over the last forty years as an
interdisciplinary field that has generated its own constructs, theories, methods, and specializations. At
UCLA, we propose the following areas of study, based on the expertise of the core faculty: 1) Labor, Law,
and Policy Studies; 2) History, Language, and Culture of the Americas; 3) Transnational and Border
Studies; and, 4) Art and Community Cultural Development. Another strong component of the graduate
program is its focus on the larger metropolitan Los Angeles region, home to the largest Mexican origin
community in the country as well as to several other Latino groups. The UCLA PhD program in Chicana/o
Studies will produce the next generation of intellectual leadership in the field, well qualified to teach in a
wide range of both traditional and interdisciplinary programs and departments that have specializations in
Chicana/o and other Latina/o communities. Our graduates will also be well qualified for placements in
professional arenas like law, public policy, and the non-profit sector.
RELATIONSHIP TO EXISTING CAMPUS PROGRAMS AND MISSION: With the ingress of
Chancellor Block, a renewed commitment has been made to the diversity mission of the university, so that
UCLA more accurately reflects and serves the different demographic communities of Los Angeles. There
is also a campus-wide goal to increase the number of graduate students so as to establish a better ratio of
undergraduate to graduate student enrollments, particularly in the Division of Social Sciences. The
proposed new graduate program in Chicana/o Studies will contribute to both of these campus goals, and to
the “UCLA in L.A.” effort as well. Our graduate students will benefit from access to many academic
resources on campus. The UCLA Chicano Studies Research Center (CSRC), established in 1969, is one of
the premier research centers in Chicana/o Studies throughout the world, and publisher of the oldest and
most prestigious journal in the field. Other related centers that could provide research and programmatic
resources for the proposed graduate program include the Center for the Study of Latino Health and
Culture, the Center for the Study of Urban Poverty, the Center for the Study of Women, and the Center for
Labor Research and Education. The availability of a graduate degree in Chicana/o Studies, backed by the
faculty breadth already existing at UCLA in Chicana/o Studies, will be a significant aid in graduate student
recruitment. We expect, and our reviewers concur, that our program is poised to become the top graduate
Chicana/o Studies program in the nation.
NEW STAFF AND FACILITIES REQUIREMENTS: Our enrollment target for the first five years of
the program is a modest five students per year. The current allocation for faculty FTE is sufficient to
launch the proposed graduate program. We have eleven core faculty members, eight of whom are tenured,
and written commitments from eight joint and affiliated faculty from other departments to cross-list their
relevant graduate courses with our curriculum. Our current TA allocations will allow us to financially
support up to 6-7 graduate students at 50% time. Our main resource needs, other than a $5,000 increase in
the operating budget, is the addition of a Graduate Student Affairs Officer. This position can be 50% for
the first 4 years, and then expanded to 100% in the fifth year and thereafter.
PLANNED IMPLEMENTATION DATE: Fall 2010.
UC CAMPUSES AND OTHER INSTITUTIONS: There are 11 graduate programs in the field, almost
all of them at the Masters level. There are only two Chicana/o Studies doctoral programs in the country:
one in Chicana and Chicano Studies at UC Santa Barbara and one in Chicano and Latino Studies at
Michigan State University in East Lansing. Within the UC system UC Berkeley, UC San Diego, and most
14
recently UC Riverside have Ph.D. programs in Ethnic Studies. USC established their doctoral program in
American Studies and Ethnicity in 2001, with a specialization in Chicana/o Studies. None offers the
curricular focus on Los Angeles, nor the diversity of approaches that we have at UCLA.
STATUS OF THE PROPOSAL: The proposal is currently undergoing review at the Office of the
President.
15
UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, LOS ANGELES
COMMUNICATIONS STUDIES (PH.D.)
DESCRIPTION AND REASONS FOR PROPOSAL: The College of Letters and Science currently
offers a BA in Communication Studies through the Communication Studies Department (formerly an
IDP). The field of communication studies has matured to the point that a level of critical excellence in
scholarship cannot be fully taught in an undergraduate program only.
RELATIONSHIP TO EXISTING CAMPUS PROGRAMS AND MISSION: The Ph.D. will further
augment the activities of the department as well as the Departments of Psychology and Political Science;
the School of Library and Information Science; Theatre, Film and Television; Education; and the School
of Law. The Ph.D. program will contribute to the public interest by training future leaders and experts
who will be knowledgeable about the broad implications of communication on the world community.
NEW STAFF AND FACILITIES REQUIREMENTS: The department has received additional staff,
but will require expanded space for graduates’ needs.
PLANNED IMPLEMENTATION DATE: 2008-2010
UC CAMPUSES AND OTHER CALIFORNIA INSTITUTIONS OFFERING SIMILAR
PROGRAMS: Other UCs offering the Ph.D. are UC San Diego, UC Santa Barbara, and UC Berkeley.
Ph.D. programs can also be found at the University of Southern California’s Annenberg School of
Communication and at Stanford University.
EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES: In a world being brought closer together through mass
communication, the doctorate in this field will find numerous applications for his/her knowledge in various
communication media and organizations seeking to analyze and strengthen their communication methods
and structures. In addition, the knowledge of human communication has broad application which can be
brought either to or in partnership with other professions.
STATUS OF THE PROPOSAL: To be submitted Spring 2007.
16
UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, LOS ANGELES
BACHELOR OF ARTS IN DANCE (B.A.)
DESCRIPTION AND REASONS FOR PROPOSAL: The proposed B.A. in Dance degree develops
out of the current undergraduate Dance Concentration within the Department of World Arts and Cultures.
The B.A. degree is concurrently proposed with the creation of a Department of Dance as a distinct unit on
the UCLA campus. The new vision and framework for the undergraduate dance major focuses on the
disciplinarity of the subject area of Dance, and provides depth in critical studies in dance, civic
engagement, along with systematic development of performance opportunities for the students. The
distinctive feature of the program is the focus on creativity in its broadest definition—a liberal arts
orientation, while providing students individualized opportunities for success in different aspects of the
field.
RELATIONSHIP TO EXISTING CAMPUS PROGRAMS AND MISSION: The B.A. degree in
Dance will enhance the quality of dance education and training. The proposed degree would be housed in
the proposed Dance Department within the School of the Arts and Architecture. In fact, a B.A. in dance
existed at UCLA until it merged with the World Arts and Cultures IDP in 1995. The degree program
would establish and strengthen ties to other arts programs/departments in the school and campus and
reaffirm the place of the dance discipline in higher education. Offering this degree would make it
consistent with our graduate degree offerings, and would accomplish the goal of the traditional University
of California emphasis on breadth and a firm grounding in the liberal arts.
NEW STAFF AND FACILITIES REQUIREMENTS: No new ladder faculty FTE or facilities
requirements are necessary except as noted in the proposal to create a new department. The program will
continue to use its current facilities located at the Glorya Kaufman Hall on the UCLA campus.
PLANNED IMPLEMENTATION DATE: Fall 2009
UC CAMPUSES AND OTHER CALIFORNIA INSTITUTIONS OFFERING SIMILAR
PROGRAMS: Of the existing undergraduate dance programs within the UC and other California
institutions, the UCLA B.A. in Dance would be one of a kind, as it is currently under the “Dance
Concentration” title. All UC campuses and California State Universities with undergraduate dance degree
programs follow primarily a western-based practice framework, privileging modern/post-modern and
ballet traditions; and while they also focus on choreography, they concentrate primarily on western-based
choreographic traditions. The UC campuses of San Diego, Riverside, Santa Barbara, and Irvine do not
have the interdisciplinary and intercultural components that uniquely situates UCLA’s program. Their
primary focus is on pre-professional training of performers and choreographers within the western
traditions. UC Berkeley’s and Davis’ programs are part of larger units, with limited opportunities for
specialization along with work in allied fields of theater and performance.
EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES: The B.A. degree would enhance the graduates’ opportunities in
the field. As World Arts and Cultures majors, many of our dance students have to request special letters
explaining to employers that they had the equivalent of a major program. Recent alums report employment
in education, fitness industry, film/TV industry, non-profit arts organizations, community service
organizations, arts administration and production. The degree in Dance will enhance the graduate’s
opportunities because employers recognize the disciplinarity of the field and concomitant required
coursework.
STATUS OF PROPOSAL: A draft of the proposal exists and is available for review at the Dean’s office.
It will soon be forwarded to relevant committees of the School and UCLA Academic Senate for review.
17
UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, LOS ANGELES
GEOGRAPHY – MASTER OF GEOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION SYSTEMS (MSGIS)
DESCRIPTION AND REASONS FOR PROPOSAL: In response to both the academic interest in and
geographer’s job market for, the Geography department will offer a Master’s degree in Geographical
Information Systems, commonly known as GIS. This is largely planned as a professional degree for
working geographers, geologists, sociologists, and others with an interest in GIS, though it would be open
as well to continuing graduate students. Modern computer technology and satellite-aided geographical
positioning systems (GPS) have revolutionized applied geographical studies, not only in the digitizing of
visuals such as maps and photographs, but also in the compilation, availability, and presentation of
administrative and scientific data. Combined with GPS technology and computer aided design (CAD), the
professional and academic using modern geographical data must possess a vast array of computer skills,
none more important than in GIS, the mega-database and geographical tools application that provides
high-speed calculation, compiling, and drawing to be done in conjunction with an ever-expanding
worldwide archive of geographical, geological, demographic and administrative data.
RELATIONSHIP TO EXISTING CAMPUS PROGRAMS: The Geography and Geology departments
at UCLA provide graduate students in GIS based training.
NEW STAFF AND FACILITIES REQUIREMENTS: The Geography department already possesses
an adequate computer lab for this training. In addition, the Division of Social Sciences has several state-ofthe art facilities to offer. The addition of another ladder faculty who can teach GIS will probably be
required if the program is as popular as anticipated.
PLANNED IMPLEMENTATION DATE: 2008-2010
UC CAMPUSES AND OTHER CALIFORNIA INSTITUTIONS OFFERING SIMILAR
PROGRAMS: None is known.
EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES: GIS training is almost required for high level employment in
geographical and geological based professions. In addition, GIS training is considered value-added for
professions involved with demographic, geographic, and census based research and marketing.
STATUS OF THE PROPOSAL: The program has been proposed to the Dean but a formal submission
has not been submitted to the Graduate Division or Academic Senate.
18
UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, LOS ANGELES
MUSIC—BACHELOR OF MUSIC (B.M.)
DESCRIPTION AND REASONS FOR PROPOSAL: The Department of Music proposes to establish a
Bachelor of Music degree in composition, performance, and education. The new degree would enhance
our current offering (Bachelor of Arts) by adding an attractive option to the student who intends to pursue
a career as a professional musician. This proposal reflects the changing profiles of both the students and
faculty at UCLA and more fully utilizes the skills and professional experience of the faculty.
RELATIONSHIP TO EXISTING CAMPUS PROGRAMS AND MISSION: The addition of the
Bachelor of Music degree will enhance the quality and quantity of our existing program. Adding the
Bachelor of Music degree would make our undergraduate degree offerings consistent with our graduate
(M.M. and D.M.A.) degrees, and would not accomplish this goal at the expense of the traditional
University of California emphasis on breadth and a firm grounding in the liberal arts.
NEW STAFF AND FACILITIES REQUIREMENTS: In the composition area, the addition of one
full-time faculty. We do not anticipate additional facility requirements to implement this degree.
PLANNED IMPLEMENTATION DATE: Fall 2003
UC CAMPUSES AND OTHER CALIFORNIA INSTITUTIONS OFFERING SIMILAR
PROGRAMS: Though the Bachelor of Music rubric is used to describe degree programs at three of our
sister campuses, Santa Cruz, Santa Barbara, and Irvine, UCLA is the only campus in the system with the
resources and course offerings to offer a viable Bachelor of Music.
EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES: The Bachelor of Music degree would enhance the graduate’s
opportunities in both performance and music education, based on the fact that the degree implies
specialization as opposed to the much broader Bachelor of Arts curriculum. Performance organizations
see the Bachelor of Music degree in performance as a program that speaks to talented students whose skills
are more finely tuned than the traditional Bachelor of Arts program.
STATUS OF PROPOSAL: A draft of the requirements and curriculum exists and is available for review
by the Dean’s office. In order to move forward, we need to know if resources are available to support it.
19
UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, LOS ANGELES/UNIVERSIDAD ADOLFO IBAÑEZ
EXECUTIVE MBA
MASTER OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION (M.B.A.)
DESCRIPTION AND REASONS FOR PROPOSAL: The UCLA/Adolfo Ibañez EMBA will be a
professional degree program providing the intellectual capital managers need to be effective in the global
business environment. The program is aimed at working professionals who have demanding jobs with high
levels of responsibility. We expect that successful applicants will have at least ten years of full-time
working experience. The curriculum consists of core courses basic to the practice of management and a
set of advanced courses that provides the basis for students to sharpen their specialized and general
management skills. The program culminates in a two-quarter management practicum. Completion of the
intensive 16-month course of study leads to two separate regular MBA degrees, one awarded by UCLA
and one awarded by the Universidad Adolfo Ibañez. Each degree requires satisfactory completion of the
degree requirements at the other institution. The calendar will consist of six, 6-week terms alternating
between UCLA and Adolfo Ibañez.
RELATIONSHIP TO EXISTING CAMPUS PROGRAMS AND MISSION: The UCLA/Adolfo
Ibañez EMBA is a modification of the UCLA Executive MBA degree. The time schedule has been
changed to fit the schedules of an international group of executives who wish to add the expertise of the
faculty of a highly regarded management school in the U.S. to the strength provided by the faculty of one
of the best management schools in Latin America.
NEW STAFF AND FACILITIES REQUIREMENTS: Based on the faculty teaching load at UCLA
Anderson and the faculty who have expressed an interest in teaching in the proposed program, we estimate
that we will be able to staff the UCLA/Adolfo Ibañez EMBA courses without hiring additional faculty.
Compensation to faculty will be on an overload basis. This program will not impact negatively on any of
our state-supported programs. The space requirements can be accommodated within the existing Anderson
complex.
PLANNED IMPLEMENTATION DATE: Applications in Fall 2010 to admit students in 2011-12.
UC CAMPUSES AND OTHER CALIFORNIA INSTITUTIONS OFFERING SIMILAR
PROGRAMS: The UCLA/Adolfo Ibañez EMBA is modeled after the successful UCLA/NUS (National
University of Singapore) EMBA program. The Haas School of Business at UC Berkeley offers a
cooperative program with Columbia University in which two regular, separate MBA degrees are granted
from both institutions.
STATUS OF THE PROPOSAL: Both campuses are conducting feasibility studies including market
assessments.
20
UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, LOS ANGELES
COMMUNITY HEALTH SCIENCES— MASTER OF SCIENCE (M.S.) and DOCTOR OF
PHILOSOPHY (Ph.D.)
DESCRIPTION AND REASONS FOR PROPOSAL: The proposed program changes in the School of
Public Health are as follows:
Replacement of M.S./Ph.D. degrees in Public Health degree (Disestablishment) with the Creation
(Establishment) of M.S. & Ph.D. degrees in Community Health Sciences
In 1998, the UCLA School of Public Health (SPH) requested and was granted approval for a
departmentalization and designation of discrete majors for the M.S. and Ph.D. degrees conferred within the
School. For reasons that are not entirely clear, no discrete degree program proposal was submitted for
Community Health Sciences, which is one of the five departments that was created (the others being
Biostatistics, Epidemiology, Environmental Health Sciences, and Health Services). Hence, whereas the
other departments within the School offer M.S. and Ph.D. degrees with their departmental names, the
Department of Community Health Sciences has continued to offer the M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in Public
Health.
We are now seeking to address this issue by submitting a proposal to simultaneously establish M.S. and
Ph.D. degrees in Community Health Sciences and to disestablish the M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in Public
Health.
NEW STAFF AND FACILITIES REQUIREMENTS: We do not anticipate needing additional
academic staff, as the programs will continue to be administered in the Department of Community Health
Sciences. No additional faculty FTE are needed. Staffing and advising can be met with existing
resources.
PLANNED IMPLEMENTATION DATE: Undetermined
STATUS OF PROPOSAL: The proposal is currently being developed and reviewed in the department.
21
UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, LOS ANGELES
PUBLIC HEALTH— MASTER OF PUBLIC HEALTH (M.P.H.), Healthcare Management and
Policy
PUBLIC HEALTH— MASTER OF PUBLIC HEALTH (M.P.H.), Health Education and Promotion
DESCRIPTION AND REASONS FOR PROPOSAL: The proposed program changes in the School of
Public Health are as follows:
Replacement of MPH/HP Degree (Disestablishment) with the Creation (Establishment) of
Executive MPH degrees in Healthcare Management and Policy and in Health Education and
Promotion
In 1996, the UCLA School of Public Health (SPH) requested and was granted approval for a selfsupporting professional degree program entitled Master of Public Health for Health Professionals
(MPH/HP). Motivated by discussions with public health practitioners, the MPH/HP aimed to address the
aforementioned educational “vacuum” that existed “for mid- to senior-level professionals who want to
receive degree quality education while still maintaining full-time employment.” Prior to designing and
proposing the MPH/HP, the SPH conducted an extensive survey of Los Angeles County health
professionals to determine the actual need for an ‘executive-style’ degree program such as an MPH/HP.
They identified specific areas of need for health professionals, such as health management, populationbased healthcare, and health communication, and designed the program accordingly.
Two departments, Health Services and Community Health Services, elected to offer an MPH track. The
Health Services track was in Health Policy and Administration, while the Community Health Services
track was in Health Education and Promotion. At the time of their inception, the two departmental tracks
shared many features. They had the same curriculum for the entire first year, a similar ratio of full-time to
part-time faculty, and similar admissions standards.
However, over time the shared name and code have become less appropriate as the two programs now
differ greatly in size, number of credits, and student demographics. In addition, the MPH/HP degree causes
confusion in the market, because it does not clearly signify the “executive” nature of the program, thus
complicating student recruitment.
A major factor contributing to the proposed disestablishment of the MPH/HP degree, and the creation of
two Executive MPH degrees, occurred in 2001, when the HS track sought full accreditation from the
Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education (CAHME). Since CAHME deals
specifically with healthcare management, HS needed to seek accreditation while CHS did not. Since 2001,
as the CAHME requirements have evolved, the HS program has adjusted its curriculum accordingly.
Notably, the CAHME requirements have necessitated an increase in the HS program’s total number of
units. The HS program was 72 units in 1996; today it is 94 units.
To respond more effectively to the diverging needs of the School’s executive-style degree programs in
Health Services and Community Health Sciences, we propose establishing two new Executive MPH
(MPH) degrees; one in Healthcare Management and Policy, and one in Health Education and Promotion.
These new degrees will replace the existing MPH/HP degree, which we propose to disestablish at the same
time. Thus, the two new Executive MPH degrees will effectively replace the two current tracks of the
MPH/HP degree.
22
NEW STAFF AND FACILITIES REQUIREMENTS: We do not anticipate needing additional
academic staff, as the programs will continue to be administered in their respective departments. No
additional faculty FTE are needed. Staffing and advising can be met with existing resources.
PLANNED IMPLEMENTATION DATE: Fall 2011
STATUS OF PROPOSAL: The proposals are currently being developed and reviewed in their respective
departments.
23
C. ORGANIZED RESEARCH UNITS
There are no proposed Organized Research Units.
24
D. SCHOOL-WIDE PROPOSALS PENDING OP APPROVAL
There are no proposed School-wide Proposals pending OP approval.
25
E. PROGRAMS APPROVED
26
UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, LOS ANGELES
APPLIED LINGUISTICS (B.A.)
DESCRIPTION AND REASONS FOR PROPOSAL: On the theory-research side, the proposed major
provides undergraduates with the opportunity to investigate the links between language, culture, social
organization, and learning. On the practical side, with its focus on service learning, it engages students in
the community, schools, and work places of our geographic setting. The major encourages students to
reflect on their lives with regard to language use and to bring to bear the academic resources of their
education on these reflections. For many years, the graduate programs in Applied Linguistics at UCLA
have been recognized as among the world’s leading programs in the field. The proposed major will serve
to extend this excellence to undergraduate education in the UC system and beyond.
RELATIONSHIP TO EXISTING CAMPUS PROGRAMS AND MISSION: The major will benefit
from offerings in other departments such as Anthropology, Communication Studies, Linguistics,
Psychology, and Sociology among others. However, the major has its own integrity and coherence which
merit its establishment. The proposed major will allow students to understand the phenomena of language
and language use in any number of language communities and from a variety of perspectives and
experiences.
PLANNED IMPLEMENTATION DATE: Admissions will begin in Fall 2009.
NEW STAFF AND FACILITIES REQUIREMENTS: Staffing and facilities needs can be met with
existing resources. Currently, no supplementary resources are required for the successful implementation
of the major.
UC CAMPUSES AND OTHER CALIFORNIA INSTITUTIONS OFFERING SIMILAR
PROGRAMS: The proposed major would be the only one of its kind in California. Nationwide, there are
two undergraduate programs in Applied Linguistics. However, those two programs, which resemble the
undergraduate minor program in Language Teaching at UCLA, are not comparable to the proposed major
in the academic depth and breadth.
EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES: Graduates of the Applied Linguistics major who are interested in
pursuing theoretical side can do so by pursuing graduate programs in Applied Linguistics, Sociology, and
various professional schools. Graduates who are more interested in the practical side will find the major to
be particularly useful for community work, education, social services, state and local government, and
immigrant and ethnic organizations. Experience of service learning, communicative skills in local
languages, and understanding of issues related to language and its use in the society should enhance
students’ resumes, as well as making them better and more helpful citizens of the multicultural state of
California.
STATUS OF PROPOSAL: A memorandum from Scott L. Waugh, Executive Vice Chancellor and
Provost was sent to Lawrence H. Pitts, Interim Provost and Executive Vice President on March 20, 2009,
informing that the UCLA Undergraduate Council had approved the establishment of the proposed major,
effective Fall 2009.
27
UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, LOS ANGELES
INTERDEPARTMENTAL PROGRAM IN BIOINFORMATICS (M.S./PH.D.)
DESCRIPTION AND REASONS FOR PROPOSAL: We propose to create an Interdepartmental
Program in Bioinformatics composed of faculty from 14 departments, so that it is possible for students to
apply for and receive graduate training in bioinformatics at UCLA. This will strengthen faculty research
in the Divisions of Life and Physical Sciences and the Schools of Medicine and Engineering, help train the
next generation of scientists in a field of rapidly growing prominence, attract new sources of funding to the
UCLA campus, aid faculty recruitment and retention, and drive growth at UCLA.
Bioinformatics is of central importance to biomedical research in the 21st century and to the economy in
California. By training both Bioinformatics MS and Bioinformatics Ph.D. scientists from a variety of
backgrounds, the proposed IDP will contribute directly to the skilled workforce that California’s
biotechnology and software companies require for success.
RELATIONSHIP TO EXISTING CAMPUS PROGRAMS AND MISSION: Bioinformatics is a
highly interdisciplinary field and there is no way that general bioinformatics graduate training can be
offered in a single existing UCLA department or program. Most of the top research universities in
California already have graduate degrees in bioinformatics. The need for the proposed IDP is urgent and
was identified as one of the highest priorities for immediate development five years ago by the School of
Medicine. The proposed IDP would bring together UCLA’s many academic resources in bioinformatics
for the first time. The interdisciplinary character of UCLA’s bioinformatics faculty—scattered among 11
departments in four schools—is both a strength and a potential weakness. As other prominent universities
develop bioinformatics graduate degree programs and competition grows, UCLA will be at a severe
disadvantage in recruiting top graduate student candidates if it does not offer a bioinformatics degree and
admissions program. There is relatively little overlap with existing programs at UCLA. We see a
significant opportunity to collaborate with the ACCESS program in our recruitment efforts. This could
also include cooperation in administering faculty presentations for the students. The Center for
Computational Biology could provide administrative help in running the proposed IDP, as graduate
education is one of its priorities. Finally, we have an opportunity to leverage the computational resources
of the UCLA-DOE Institute for Genomics and Proteomics.
NEW STAFF AND FACILITIES REQUIREMENT: There are 20 core faculty involved in teaching
the required and elective courses of the proposed IDP. Bioinformatics research has been an integral part of
the Life Science, Physical Science, Medical and Engineering department at UCLA for several years. The
development of this degree program utilizes resources already available to faculty and research program
without significant additional costs. The existing faculty is more than adequate to provide this graduate
program at its project enrollment levels. Long-term campus plans have called for hiring several additional
faculty members in bioinformatics over the next five years. No additional costs are anticipated.
PLANNED IMPLEMENTATION DATE: 2008.
UC CAMPUSES AND OTHER CALIFORNIA INSTITUTIONS OFFERING SIMILAR
PROGRAMS: Stanford University, UC Berkeley, UC Riverside, UC San Francisco, UC Santa Cruz, UC
San Diego offer or plan to offer this program.
STATUS OF THE PROPOSAL: Has been approved effective July 2008.
28
F. PROPOSALS WITHDRAWN OR INACTIVE
29