Revised 11/23/2011
Board of Governors, State University System of Florida
Request to Offer a New Degree Program
University of South Florida-Tampa
Fall 2012
University Submitting Proposal
Proposed Implementation Term
College of Arts and Sciences
Cell Biology, Microbiology &
Molecular Biology
Name of College(s) or School(s)
Name of Department(s)/ Division(s)
PhD Cell and Molecular Biology
Cell and Molecular Biology
Academic Specialty or Field
Complete Name of Degree
CIP 26.0406
Proposed CIP Code
The submission of this proposal constitutes a commitment by the university that, if the proposal is
approved, the necessary financial resources and the criteria for establishing new programs have been
met prior to the initiation of the program.
Date Approved by the University Board of
Trustees
President
Date
Signature of Chair, Board of
Trustees
Vice President for Academic
Affairs
Date
Date
Provide headcount (HC) and full-time equivalent (FTE) student estimates of majors for Years 1
through 5. HC and FTE estimates should be identical to those in Table 1 in Appendix A. Indicate the
program costs for the first and the fifth years of implementation as shown in the appropriate columns
in Table 2 in Appendix A. Calculate an Educational and General (E&G) cost per FTE for Years 1 and 5
(Total E&G divided by FTE).
Implementation
Timeframe
Year 1
Year 2
Year 3
Year 4
Year 5
Projected
Enrollment
(From Table 1)
HC
FTE
36
38
40
42
44
27
28.5
30
31.5
33
Projected Program Costs
(From Table 2)
E&G
Cost per
FTE
E&G
Funds
Contract
& Grants
Funds
$34,534
$932,408
$66,936
0
$999,344
$32,723
$1,079,844
$66,936
0
$1,146,780
Auxiliary
Total Cost
Funds
Note: This outline and the questions pertaining to each section must be reproduced within the body of the proposal
to ensure that all sections have been satisfactorily addressed. Tables 1 through 4 are to be included as Appendix A
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and not reproduced within the body of the proposals because this often causes errors in the automatic calculations.
INTRODUCTION
I.
Program Description and Relationship to System-Level Goals
Preface: This application reflects a reorganization of the Biology Department that began in
2006 and was completed in early 2009. This created the Department of Cell Biology,
Microbiology and Molecular Biology and the Department of Integrative Biology.
The resources of the old Biology Department (including faculty, staff, teaching assistantships
and base budget) were reallocated to the two departments in January 2009. Currently the two
departments share the Ph.D. in Biology, with new student applying directly to either CMMB or
IB, who handle their own admissions. Therefore, resources have already been established and
are sufficient to support the proposed new degree program. This new degree for CMMB simply
completes the reorganization at the graduate level.
A. Briefly describe within a few paragraphs the degree program under consideration,
including (a) level; (b) emphases, including concentrations, tracks, or specializations; (c)
total number of credit hours; and (d) overall purpose, including examples of employment
or education opportunities that may be available to program graduates.
a) Level: The proposed degree will be at the graduate level and will be a Ph.D. degree. This
degree will be the first Ph.D. degree in Cell and Molecular Biology housed in a public
university in the state of Florida. The proposed degree was developed from an existing
concentration in Cell and Molecular Biology within the Ph.D. degree in Biology.
b) Emphasis including concentrations, tracks, or specializations: The Ph.D. degree will be
an integrated, combined program that focuses on the scientific study of cells, cellular systems,
and the molecular basis of cell structure and function. It Includes instruction in cell biology, cell
chemistry, molecular biology, biophysics, and structural biology.
c) Total number of credit hours: This degree requires 90 semester credit hours, comprised as
follows:
Core Course Work: 19 credits
10 credits Foundations of Knowledge & Learning Core Curriculum
9 credits Electives
Research Course Work 71 credits
32 credits
Directed Research
39 credits
Dissertation Research
d) Overall purpose including examples of employment or education opportunities that
may be available to program graduates:
Biology has changed and diversified far more than other sciences in recent years. This
new Cell and Molecular Biology degree will reflect these changes, and focus on training
students in the vast new areas of knowledge and understanding. The powerful new
methodologies impact how research is carried out and new knowledge gained. All these result
in new niches to be filled in the market place.
This degree is categorized as a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math)
program and will train a new generation of biologists. Graduates will be well prepared to
become Biotechnologists, Professors, Teachers, and Entrepreneurs in business, healthcare and
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industry. Students trained in this program will provide a workforce in biotechnology and
biomedical fields that will support continued research and development in the state of Florida, in
the Tampa bay area, and at USF itself, leading to the production of world class scholars. In
addition to working directly in laboratories, well trained biologists often work in businesses,
industry and government and use their knowledge of biology to advise and apply scientific
principles in business plans and policy issues.
Another important area for Cell and Molecular Biology graduates is in science education.
A Cell and Molecular Biology Ph.D. degree provides the knowledge base to become an effective
teacher, particularly in community colleges and universities, and qualified science teachers are
in higher demand than those trained in non-science areas. Other opportunities exist in training,
education and public outreach for business, government and private institutions.
B. Describe how the proposed program is consistent with the current State University
System (SUS) Strategic Planning Goals. Identify which specific goals the program will
directly support and which goals the program will indirectly support. (See the SUS
Strategic Plan at http://www.flbog.org/about/strategicplan/)
The Ph.D. in Cell and Molecular Biology specifically supports the current State University
System (SUS) Strategic Planning Goal A in “Access to and production of degrees” and Goal B
in “Meeting statewide professional and workforce needs”, particularly in the critical areas of
Education (Goal B1) Health Professions (Goal B2), Natural Science and Technology (Goal
B3b), Medical Science and Health Care (Goal B3c). The new Ph.D. in Cell and Molecular
Biology is a new doctoral degree not currently available in the SUS, and graduates will
contribute to these goals by working in critical areas related to biotechnology and education.
C. If the program is to be included in an Area of Programmatic Strategic Emphasis as
described in the SUS Strategic Plan, please indicate the category and the justification for
inclusion.
The Areas of Programmatic Strategic Emphasis:
1. Critical Needs:
• Education
• Health Professions
• Security and Emergency Services
2. Economic Development:
• Globalization
• Regional Workforce Demand
3. Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM)
The Ph.D. in Cell and Molecular Biology specifically supports the Critical Need in
Education and Health Professions because many graduates move into university academic
positions where they train undergraduate and graduate students in Cell and Molecular Biology.
Graduates from this program also become biomedical (e.g. cancer and other diseases)
researchers thus contributing to health professions. This degree supports Economic
Development – Regional Workforce Demand because some graduates move into the
biotechnology industry. This degree clearly falls into the STEM category as it specializes in
Bioscience.
D. Identify any established or planned educational sites at which the program is expected to
be offered and indicate whether it will be offered only at sites other than the main campus.
This degree will be offered only at the USF Tampa campus in the existing Department of Cell
Biology, Microbiology and Molecular Biology.
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INSTITUTIONAL AND STATE LEVEL ACCOUNTABILITY
II.
Need and Demand
A. Need: Describe national, state, and/or local data that support the need for more people to
be prepared in this program at this level. Reference national, state, and/or local plans or
reports that support the need for this program and requests for the proposed program
which have emanated from a perceived need by agencies or industries in your service
area. Cite any specific need for research and service that the program would fulfill.
National Level: The new Ph.D. in Cell and Molecular Biology addresses the need for more
targeted training within the biological sciences. As a discipline, biology has changed more than
any other scientific field over the past 20 years due to a remarkable expansion of knowledge
and methods in cell and molecular biology. This revolution in cell and molecular biology has
dramatically changed career options for our students. As a faculty and as a university, we are
responsible to focus and develop our curricula in the biological sciences to reflect these
changes. The national bioscience industry has a total employment impact of 7.5 million jobs
(Battelle Report, 2009, http://www.bio.org/local/battelle2009/main.asp). A report to Congress
(CRS Report for Congress: RL34539) expressed concerns that changing work force needs in
science and technology are not being met. The American Institute of Biological Sciences
suggests the need for more focused training, particularly in new biological science disciplines
related to cell and molecular biology.
Many of the students who select the Ph.D. degree in Cell and Molecular Biology will be
those pursuing careers in biotechnology, health related areas and science education. They will
become faculty members at Universities and Medical Schools, not only teaching, but carrying
out research in Biomedicine, Cancer, Aging, Drug Development and Bacterial Pathogenesis.
Others will carry out similar research but work in the biotechnology and health industries rather
than academic settings.
Florida and Local: In 2009, the Governor of Florida highlighted the importance of training
Florida’s future workforce in life science related industries “Florida’s economy continues to
benefit from the state’s development as a global leader in biotechnology and life sciences. The
advances from this industry will continue to diversify Florida’s economy, as well as improve the
health and quality of life for everyone.” Biotechnology and health related industries are growing
rapidly in Florida and new foci in graduate training within the biological sciences are needed.
Numerous biotechnology enterprises such as Scripps, Burnham, Torrey Pines and SRI
have been recruited to Florida in recent years (OPPAGA Report No. 06-71). These institutions
have begun to spawn entrepreneurial companies and other spinoffs that need well-trained
graduates in Cell and Molecular Biology.
USF Goals: The new Ph.D. in Cell and Molecular Biology supports USF strategic goal II to
“Promote globally competitive undergraduate, graduate and professional programs that support
interdisciplinary inquiry”. The proposed degree will “address the changing needs of the region,
state and nation through innovative approaches to curriculum development” and “reflect a
student body found at a pre-eminent research university.”
B. Demand: Describe data that support the assumption that students will enroll in the
proposed program. Include descriptions of surveys or other communications with
prospective students.
The Ph.D in Cell and Molecular Biology already exists as a concentration in Cell and
Molecular Biology within the existing Ph.D. in Biology that was begun in 2007 and fully
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Number of Studets
implemented in 2009. Enrollment is limited by the number of research faculty available to
mentor the students and resources to financially support the students. The CMMB department
typically turns down numerous qualified applicants each year because of lack of mentors or
financial aid for all the qualified applicants. The figure below shows the historical enrollment in
the existing program:
CMMB Ph.D. Concentration in Cell and Molecular
Biology Headcount
40
30
20
10
0
PhD
07/08
18
08/09
24
09/10
24
10/11
32
11/12
34
C. If substantially similar programs (generally at the four-digit CIP Code or 60 percent
similar in core courses), either private or public exist in the state, identify the
institution(s) and geographic location(s). Summarize the outcome(s) of communication
with such programs with regard to the potential impact on their enrollment and
opportunities for possible collaboration (instruction and research). In Appendix B,
provide data that support the need for an additional program as well as letters of support,
or letters of concern, from the provosts of other state universities with substantially
similar programs.
The most similar program in the SUS is a Ph.D. degree in Animal Molecular and Cellular
Biology (26.0204) at the University of Florida. However, it is focused on agricultural and
veterinary animal science rather than biomedical science and biotechnology. The proposed
Ph.D. in Cell and Molecular Biology described in this proposal is substantially different because
it focuses on human health and biotechnology.
D. Use Table 1 in Appendix A (A for undergraduate and B for graduate) to categorize
projected student headcount (HC) and Full Time Equivalents (FTE) according to primary
sources. Generally undergraduate FTE will be calculated as 40 credit hours per year and
graduate FTE will be calculated as 32 credit hours per year. Describe the rationale
underlying enrollment projections. If, initially, students within the institution are
expected to change majors to enroll in the proposed program, describe the shifts from
disciplines that will likely occur.
It is expected that all of the current students in the existing Ph.D. in Biology:
Concentration in Cell and Molecular Biology will immediately transfer into the new Ph.D. degree
in Cell and Molecular Biology and the old Ph.D. in Biology: Concentration in Cell and Molecular
Biology will be discontinued. Therefore in the first year there will be no net change in the
number of Ph.D. students. CMMB is a young department and is expecting moderate growth in
the number of faculty lines over the next few years to accommodate recent growth in
undergraduate headcount and SCH. As new faculty come into the department, the graduate
student capacity will increase so it is expected that the new Ph.D. in Cell and Molecular Biology
will grow moderately as well. Other than students transferring from the Ph.D. in Biology:
Concentration in Cell and Molecular Biology to the new Ph.D. in Cell and Molecular Biology, no
shifts in disciplines are likely to occur.
E. Indicate what steps will be taken to achieve a diverse student body in this program. If
the proposed program substantially duplicates a program at FAMU or FIU, provide, (in
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consultation with the affected university), an analysis of how the program might have an
impact upon that university’s ability to attract students of races different from that which
is predominant on their campus in the subject program. The university’s Equal
Opportunity Officer shall review this section of the proposal and then sign and date in
the area below to indicate that the analysis required by this subsection has been reviewed
and approved.
The current graduate program in the CMMB Department reflects a commitment for diversity.
The following steps will be taken to increase underrepresented groups of STEM graduate
students.
Step 1: The CMMB Department will continue to be a featured program on the
SCIENCE CAREER Web Site of Science Magazine and GRAD SCHOOL.COM, two prestigious
national locations to feature STEM graduate programs.
Step 2: Specifically target Morehouse University, Howard University, Florida A &M
University, University of Puerto Rico and University of Virgin Islands for promoting our graduate
program. These universities receive substantial federal funding enhancing their STEM
undergraduate programs.
Step 3: Actively promote the CMMB Graduate Ph.D. program to USF undergraduate
minority students who now have become more competitive.
A Ph. D. in Cell and Molecular Biology is expected to be attractive to minority STEM students
who often head to medical schools. For those with research interests, this degree can be
combined with MD programs. We will continue to work with USF Honors College in placing
excellent STEM students in undergraduate research programs, hoping to keep them in the USF
pipeline into the CMMB Ph.D. program.
Because there is no other Cell and Molecular Ph. D. offered in Florida, we do not anticipate any
unfavorable impact.
Signature of Equal Opportunity Officer
III.
Date
Budget
A. Use Table 2 in Appendix A to display projected costs and associated funding sources for
Year 1 and Year 5 of program operation. Use Table 3 in Appendix A to show how existing
Education & General funds will be shifted to support the new program in Year 1. In
narrative form, summarize the contents of both tables, identifying the source of both
current and new resources to be devoted to the proposed program. (Data for Year 1 and
Year 5 reflect snapshots in time rather than cumulative costs.) If the university intends to
operate the program through continuing education on a cost-recovery basis or market
rate, provide a rationale for doing so and a timeline for seeking Board of Governors’
approval, if appropriate.
This application reflects a reorganization of the Biology Department into two new departments
that began in 2006 and was completed in early 2009. Part of the reorganization was to phase
out the old Ph.D. in Biology and replace it with new degrees that better serve graduate students
in today’s world. The resources have already been established and are sufficient to support the
proposed new degree program as it simply replaces an existing program. The net number of
students in the biological sciences at USF is not expected to change initially. This degree will
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replace the current concentration in Cell and Molecular Biology within the Ph.D. in Biology. The
old concentration and Biology degree will be phased out as the new degree is phased in. New
students will be required to enroll in the new degree. It is expected that students in the old
concentration will transfer immediately to the new degree but will have the option of completing
the old concentration described in the catalog of the year they entered USF. Graduates from
this Ph.D. program will pursue careers in biomedical and biotechnology fields.
B. If other programs will be impacted by a reallocation of resources for the proposed
program, identify the program and provide a justification for reallocating resources.
Specifically address the potential negative impacts that implementation of the proposed
program will have on related undergraduate programs (i.e., shift in faculty effort,
reallocation of instructional resources, reduced enrollment rates, greater use of adjunct
faculty and teaching assistants). Explain what steps will be taken to mitigate any such
impacts. Also, discuss the potential positive impacts that the proposed program might
have on related undergraduate programs (i.e., increased undergraduate research
opportunities, improved quality of instruction associated with cutting-edge research,
improved labs and library resources).
The Biology Department reorganized into two new departments between 2006 and 2009,
creating the Department of Cell Biology, Microbiology and Molecular Biology and the
Department of Integrative Biology. The resources of the old Biology Department (including
faculty, staff, teaching assistantships and base budget) were reallocated to the two departments
in January 2009. Currently the two departments share the Ph.D. in Biology but with distinct
concentrations, with new student applying directly to either CMMB or IB, who handle their own
admissions. This new degree for CMMB simply completes the reorganization at the graduate
level.
C. Describe other potential impacts on related programs or departments (e.g., increased need
for general education or common prerequisite courses, or increased need for required or
elective courses outside of the proposed major).
The new Ph.D. degree in Cell and Molecular Biology will retain the same course format
as the present Ph.D. in Biology: Concentration in Cell and Molecular Biology, so there will be
little or no impact to other programs or departments.
D. Describe what steps have been taken to obtain information regarding resources (financial
and in-kind) available outside the institution (businesses, industrial organizations,
governmental entities, etc.). Describe the external resources that appear to be available to
support the proposed program.
The most significant source of extramural funds to support CMMB graduate students are
federal research grants. Many Ph.D. students are supported by grants that provide Research
Assistantships, tuition waivers or laboratory supplies, equipment and reagents needed for their
research. CMMB typically expends $2.2 million in research dollars each year as shown in the
figure below:
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CMMB Research Expenditures
$2,500,000
$2,000,000
$1,500,000
$1,000,000
$500,000
$0
06/07 07/08 08/09 09/10 10/11
The CMMB Department has established several USF Foundation accounts and works
actively with the College of Arts and Sciences Development office. The Department of CMMB
intends to establish some graduate scholarships in the future using our general USF Foundation
fund and an allocation from the College of Arts and Sciences Wood Foundation. The CMMB
Department also receives Tharp Foundation funds that support graduate education. Our general
USF Foundation fund also supports our seminar program which brings nationally recognized
researchers to USF. These seminars are attended by our graduate students. Many CMMB
Department graduate students are involved in interdisciplinary research activities with our
colleagues at the Florida Center of Excellence for Drug Discovery and Innovation, the Byrd
Center, USF Health and the Moffitt Cancer center. The USF Herbarium is housed within the
CMMB Department and also supports our seminar program.
IV.
Projected Benefit of the Program to the University, Local Community, and State
Use information from Tables 1 and 2 in Appendix A, and the supporting narrative for “Need
and Demand” to prepare a concise statement that describes the projected benefit to the
university, local community, and the state if the program is implemented. The projected
benefits can be both quantitative and qualitative in nature, but there needs to be a clear
distinction made between the two in the narrative.
Projected qualitative benefits of the Ph.D. in Cell and Molecular Biology to USF: The University
of South Florida benefits from having the State’s first doctoral Degree in Cell and Molecular
Biology in the College of Arts and Sciences. Students attend USF with a specific desire of
obtaining this focused specialized graduate degree and it is expected that the quality of students
in the program will rise. The new degree will allow USF to be more competitive with the
changing field of biology and the degree brings a new focus that better prepares students for
academic and biotechnology related jobs. This new degree will also contribute to the efforts at
the College of Medicine, the Byrd Alzheimer’s Institute and the Moffitt Cancer Center.
Projected quantitative benefits of the Ph.D. in Cell and Molecular Biology to USF: It is expected
that this degree will attract more applicants over the next five years, allowing the program to
grow within the resources available to the program (Table 1).
Projected qualitative benefits of the Ph.D. in Cell and Molecular Biology to community: The local
Tampa Bay Area benefits from having students equipped with a degree in Cell and Molecular
Biology to fill critical needs of research institutes and biotechnology companies for graduates
with advanced training in biomedical sciences. The development of the I-4 technology corridor
depends on graduates of modern degree programs in science and engineering such as the new
degree in Cell and Molecular Biology.
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Projected quantitative benefits of the Ph.D. in Cell and Molecular Biology to the community:
According to the Florida High Technology Corridor web site, the I-4 Technology corridor is
composed of more than 200 companies with over 10,000 employees in the area of Life
Sciences and Medical Technologies
(http://www.floridahightech.com/hightechindustry/medical.php). Graduates with the new Ph.D.
degree in Cell and Molecular Biology will help fulfill the workforce needs of this industry.
Projected qualitative benefits of the Ph.D. in Cell and Molecular Biology to Florida: The Ph.D. in
Cell and Molecular Biology provides unique academic training for biomedically oriented
students. It also contributes to a pipe-line of highly trained labor force for high tech companies,
which the new governor desires to attract to the state. (St. Petersburg Times, December 2010).
Finally the new degree supports the current State University System (SUS) Strategic Planning
Goal A in “Access to and production of degrees” and Goal B in “Meeting statewide professional
and workforce needs”, particularly in the critical areas of Education (Goal B1) Health
Professions (Goal B2), Natural Science and Technology (Goal B3b), Medical Science and
Health Care (Goal B3c).
V.
Access and Articulation – Bachelor’s Degrees Only
A. If the total number of credit hours to earn a degree exceeds 120, provide a justification for
an exception to the policy of a 120 maximum and submit a separate request to the Board
of Governors for an exception along with notification of the program’s approval. (See
criteria in Board of Governors Regulation 6C-8.014)
Not Applicable.
B. List program prerequisites and provide assurance that they are the same as the approved
common prerequisites for other such degree programs within the SUS (see the Common
Prerequisite Manual at FACTS.org).
The courses in the Common Prerequisite
Counseling Manual are intended to be those that are required of both native and transfer
students prior to entrance to the major program, not simply lower-level courses that are
required prior to graduation. The common prerequisites and substitute courses are
mandatory for all institution programs listed, and must be approved by the Articulation
Coordinating Committee (ACC). This requirement includes those programs designated
as “limited access.”
If the proposed prerequisites are not listed in the Manual, provide a rationale for a request
for exception to the policy of common prerequisites. NOTE: Typically, all lower-division
courses required for admission into the major will be considered prerequisites. The
curriculum can require lower-division courses that are not prerequisites for admission into
the major, as long as those courses are built into the curriculum for the upper-level 60
credit hours. If there are already common prerequisites for other degree programs with
the same proposed CIP, every effort must be made to utilize the previously approved
prerequisites instead of recommending an additional “track” of prerequisites for that CIP.
Additional tracks may not be approved by the ACC, thereby holding up the full approval
of the degree program. Programs will not be entered into the State University System
Inventory until any exceptions to the approved common prerequisites are approved by the
ACC.
Not Applicable.
C. If the university intends to seek formal Limited Access status for the proposed program,
provide a rationale that includes an analysis of diversity issues with respect to such a
designation. Explain how the university will ensure that community college transfer
students are not disadvantaged by the Limited Access status. NOTE: The policy and
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criteria for Limited Access are identified in Board of Governors Regulation 6C-8.013.
Submit the Limited Access Program Request form along with this document.
Not Applicable.
D. If the proposed program is an AS-to-BS capstone, ensure that it adheres to the guidelines
approved by the Articulation Coordinating Committee for such programs, as set forth in
Rule 6A-10.024 (see Statewide Articulation Manual at FACTS.org). List the prerequisites,
if any, including the specific AS degrees which may transfer into the program.
Not Applicable.
INSTITUTIONAL READINESS
VI.
Related Institutional Mission and Strength
A. Describe how the goals of the proposed program relate to the institutional mission
statement as contained in the SUS Strategic Plan and the University Strategic Plan.
The new Ph.D. in Cell and Molecular Biology supports USF strategic goal II to “Promote
globally competitive undergraduate, graduate and professional programs that support
interdisciplinary inquiry”. The proposed degree will “address the changing needs of the region
state and nation through innovative approaches to curriculum development” and “reflect a
student body found at a pre-eminent research university.” The degree also supports the current
State University System (SUS) Strategic Planning Goal B in “Meeting statewide professional
and workforce needs”, particularly in the critical areas of Health Professions, Natural Science
and Technology, Medical Science and Health Care and Information Technology.
B. Describe how the proposed program specifically relates to existing institutional
strengths, such as programs of emphasis, other academic programs, and/or institutes and
centers.
The proposed Ph.D. in Cell and Molecular Biology builds on existing strengths in the
biological sciences at USF. USF has strong undergraduate programs in biological and
biomedical sciences that feed directly into this program. The department has close ties to other
science departments in the College of Arts and Sciences as well as the College of Medicine, the
Center for Drug Discovery and Innovation, the Moffitt Cancer Center, and the Johnny Byrd
Alzheimer’s Center. Our graduate students utilize facilities and expertise in these other
departments and centers. The CMMB department shares an interest in Structural Biology with
the Department of Molecular Medicine in the College of Medicine and has a close relationship
with the Moffitt Cancer Biology Ph.D. Program which is academically housed in CMMB. Two of
our faculty and many of our graduate students are closely involved with the Center for Drug
Discovery and Innovation. A distinct synergy and cooperativity has developed between our
department and other biomedically oriented departments and centers at USF.
C. Provide a narrative of the planning process leading up to submission of this proposal.
Include a chronology (table) of activities, listing both university personnel directly
involved and external individuals who participated in planning. Provide a timetable of
events necessary for the implementation of the proposed program.
In 2006, the Dean of Arts and Sciences directed the Biology Department to reorganize
into two smaller but more focused departments. This was fully implemented in January 2009
with the creation of the Integrative Biology Department and the Department of Cell Biology,
Microbiology and Molecular Biology. At that time, the Dean asked the two departments to
develop new Ph.D. programs.
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Planning Process
Date
Fall 2008
Fall 2011
Participants
CMMB Division Graduate Committee
CMMB Department Graduate
Committee
Planning Activity
Draft of the Ph.D. Biology concentration
in Cell and Molecular Biology
Draft the Ph.D. in Cell and Molecular
Biolgy
Events Leading to Implementation
Date
Implementation Activity
Dec 2008
USF approved the Ph.D. Biology Concentration in Cell and Molecular Biology
Spring 2011
Department approved the Ph.D. in Cell and Molecular Biology
VII.
Program Quality Indicators - Reviews and Accreditation
Identify program reviews, accreditation visits, or internal reviews for any university degree
programs related to the proposed program, especially any within the same academic unit. List
all recommendations and summarize the institution's progress in implementing the
recommendations.
The CMMB Department is only two years old and has not yet undergone an external review
process. However, the Department, as a part of the USF Tampa campus, is accredited by
SACS. The graduate program is administered and reviewed by the CMMB Graduate Committee
and the Chair, as well as the Dean’s office in the College of Arts and Sciences. All existing
degrees including the current Ph.D. in Biology: Concentration in Cell and Molecular Biology
were approved by the Department, the College and USF at the level of the Graduate Council.
VIII.
Curriculum
A. Describe the specific expected student learning outcomes associated with the proposed
program. If a bachelor’s degree program, include a web link to the Academic Learning
Compact or include the document itself as an appendix.
The faculty in the new (3/1/09) Department of Cell Biology, Microbiology, and Molecular
Biology (CMMB) are committed to prepare students for professional careers in the area
of cell and molecular biology through pursuing excellence in understanding structural
and computational biology and molecular cell biology. We serve the University, scientific
and greater community by providing intellectual resources and engaging in scholarly
activities that are consistent with our educational and research missions.
Outcome 1: Students will pass a written qualifying exam on a specific area of cell
and molecular biology.
Methods of Assessment: PhD students must write and pass a written qualifying exam
based on general and discipline specific areas of cell and molecular biology. The
students’ major advisor and two nominated faculty members will judge the written exam
for scientific competence by a faculty-developed rubric (FDR). The student must
achieve at least a 70% from the rubric to be considered passing.
Outcome 2: Students will demonstrate the ability to orally communicate knowledge in
the core areas of cell and molecular biology, as well as specialized areas.
Methods of Assessment: All PhD students must successfully complete an oral qualifying
examination to a supervisory committee consisting of their major advisor and three other
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credentialed faculty members. The committee will use an FDR to assess the student’s
discipline-specific knowledge and their general knowledge in the field of cell and
molecular biology. Students must score at least a 70% from the FDR to successfully
satisfy this outcome.
Outcome 3: Students will generate a written dissertation proposal that contains a
cohesive set of experiments and addresses a specific hypothesis in the areas of
cell and molecular biology.
Methods of Assessment: PhD students must write an original dissertation proposal that
describes their dissertation research in the core areas of cell and molecular biology as
well as more specialized areas. The students’ committee, consisting of their major
advisor and three other credentialed faculty members, will approve the topic. The
proposal will be assessed for scientific competence by a faculty-developed rubric (FDR).
The student must achieve at least a 70% from the rubric.
Outcome 4: Students will present and defend a dissertation in a specialized area of cell
and molecular biology.
Methods of Assessment: All PhD students must present and defend a scholarly
dissertation based on their research. All students must successfully present and defend
their dissertation research to the faculty in an open seminar. The student’s committee
will then use an FDR to assess the defense and overall quality of the dissertation in the
field of cell and molecular biology. Students must score at least a 70% based on the
FDR to successfully satisfy this outcome.
B. Describe the admission standards and graduation requirements for the program.
To gain acceptance into the program, students must apply to the USF Graduate School
for admission to the PhD program in our department. Students must submit copies of
transcripts, GRE scores, supporting documents, and a statement of personal research
interests directly to the department. International applicants must also submit TOEFL
scores and assessed and validated copies of their international transcripts. The
minimum admission requirements are a GPA of 3.0 and a GRE score of 1100. The
graduation requirements for this program are 90 credits of study in total (including 24
credits Dissertation Research), the successful completion of a written and oral
preliminary doctoral examinations, the submission and approval of a dissertation
proposal, the presentation of research at 2 separate national/regional professional
meetings, the submission of one research article for publication to a refereed scientific
journal, the submission of an acceptable dissertation and the presentation of doctoral
seminar and successful research defense.
Further information on admission criteria, departments, majors, programs, advising and
other services of the College may be obtained from the Office of Graduate and
Undergraduate Studies (BEH 201), College of Arts and Sciences, University of South
Florida, Tampa, Florida 33620 (http://www.cas.usf.edu).
C. Describe the curricular framework for the proposed program, including
number of credit hours and composition of required core courses, restricted
electives, unrestricted electives, thesis requirements, and dissertation
requirements. Identify the total numbers of semester credit hours for the
degree.
Students must take a minimum of 90 credits as outlined below
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Revised 11/23/2011
Core Courses
BSC6932 Advances in Scientific Review (2)
PCB6920 Advances in Cellular & Molecular Biology (1)
BSC6936 Scientific Grant Writing (3)
BSC6930 Lectures in Contemporary Biology (1h, taken 4 times) (4)
BSC7980 Doctoral Dissertation (24 minimum)
BSC7936 PhD Seminar (1)
Electives [minimum 9h]
PCB 5616 Molecular Phylogenetics (3)
PCB 5525 Molecular Genetics (3)
PCB 6107 Advanced Cell Biology (3)
BSC 5420 Genetic Engineering (3)
MCB 5206 Public Health & Pathogenic Microbiology (3)
PCB 6236 Advanced Immunology
PCB 5256 Developmental Biology
BSC 6932 Selected Topics (1-4)
The remaining hours are comprised of BSC 7910 Directed Research prior to
reaching doctoral candidacy and BSC7980 Doctoral Dissertation upon reaching
candidacy.
Dissertation Requirements
The dissertation of all graduate students admitted to a graduate degree program at
the University of South Florida must conform to the guidelines of the Handbook for
Graduate Thesis and Dissertations available from the USF Graduate School
(http://www.grad.usf.edu/thesis.asp).
D. Provide a sequenced course of study for all majors, concentrations, or areas of emphasis
within the proposed program.
Fall year 1
BSC7910 Directed Research (2)
BSC6932 Advances in Scientific Review (2)
PCB6920 Advances in Cellular & Molecular Biology (1)
Free Elective (3)
BSC6930 Lectures in Contemporary Biology (1)
Research
Core course
Core course
Elective
Core course
Spring year 1
BSC7910 Directed Research (2)
BSC6936 Scientific Grant Writing (3)
Free Elective (3)
BSC6930 Lectures in Contemporary Biology (1)
Research
Core course
Elective
Core course
Summer year 1
BSC7910 Directed Research (6)
Research
Fall year 2
BSC7910 Directed Research (5)
Free Elective (3)
BSC6930 Lectures in Contemporary Biology (1)
Research
Elective
Core course
Spring year 2
BSC7910 Directed Research (8)
Research
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Revised 11/23/2011
Summer year 2
BSC6930 Lectures in Contemporary Biology (1)
Core course
BSC7910 Directed Research (6)
Research
Fall year 3*
BSC7910 Directed Research (9)
Research
*students should be advanced to candidacy by the completion of the Fall of year 3
Spring year 3
BSC7980 Doctoral Dissertation (9)
Research
Summer year 3
BSC7980 Doctoral Dissertation (6)
Research
Fall year 4
BSC7980 Doctoral Dissertation (9)
Research
Spring year 4
BSC7980 Doctoral Dissertation (9)
Research
Summer year 4
BSC7980 Doctoral Dissertation (6)
Research
Fall year 5
BSC7980 Doctoral Dissertation (9)
Research
Spring year 5
BSC7980 Doctoral Dissertation (9)
Research
Summer year 5
BSC7980 Doctoral Dissertation (6)
Research
Fall year 5*
BSC7980 Doctoral Dissertation (8)
BSC7936 PhD Seminar (1)
Research
Defense
*Students are expected to finish in their 4 th year but some may require additional time.
E. Provide a one- or two-sentence description of each required or elective course.
BSC 5420 Genetic Engineering (3)
PCB 5256 Developmental Biology (3)
PCB 5525 Molecular Genetics (3)
PCB 5616 Molecular Phylogenetics (3)
MCB 5206 Public Health & Pathogenic
Microbiology (3)
BSC6930 Lectures in Contemporary
Biology (4)
BSC 6932 Selected Topics (1-4)
BSC6932 Advances in Scientific Review
(2)
BSC6936 Scientific Grant Writing (3)
PCB 6107 Advanced Cell Biology (3)
This course deals with the techniques and
theories of applied molecular manipulations
This course deals with topics concerning the
molecular and cellular events of development
This course deals with the grounding principles
to modern molecular biology
This course deals with the relatedness of living
organisms through molecular evolution
This course deals with the impact of
pathogenic bacteria on human health
This seminar series provides students exposure
to national and international scientists
presenting their research work
Course content will deal with student’s and
instructor’s interest
This course provides new graduate students an
exposure to the techniques and skills for
scientific analysis and review
This course deals with the preparation of
scientific grant proposals
This course deals with the grounding principles
to modern cellular biology
14
Revised 11/23/2011
PCB 6236 Advanced Immunology
PCB6920 Advances in Cellular &
Molecular Biology (1)
BSC 7910 Directed Research (1-)
BSC7936 PhD Seminar (1)
BSC7980 Doctoral Dissertation (24)
F.
This course deals with advanced study of the
human immune system
This discussion trains new graduate students in
the art of giving research presentations
Directed research is for pre-candidacy students
when performing their bench research
This seminar class is for final semester
students presenting their dissertation research
Doctoral dissertation is for post-candidacy
students when performing their bench research
For degree programs in the science and technology disciplines, discuss how industrydriven competencies were identified and incorporated into the curriculum and indicate
whether any industry advisory council exists to provide input for curriculum
development and student assessment.
The proposed Ph.D. degree in Cell and Molecular Biology is consistent with the needs of
graduate students who plan careers in biomedical research, biotechnology and research related
fields. There is no special accreditation or curricular organization by outside professional
agencies in cell and molecular biology. However, the proposed Ph.D. in Cell and Molecular
Biology is consistent with those of peer departments at other universities.
G. For all programs, list the specialized accreditation agencies and learned societies that
would be concerned with the proposed program. Will the university seek accreditation
for the program if it is available? If not, why? Provide a brief timeline for seeking
accreditation, if appropriate.
There is no special accreditation by professional agencies in cell and molecular biology.
H. For doctoral programs, list the accreditation agencies and learned societies that would be
concerned with corresponding bachelor’s or master’s programs associated with the
proposed program. Are the programs accredited? If not, why?
There is no special accreditation by professional agencies in cell and molecular biology.
I.
Briefly describe the anticipated delivery system for the proposed program (e.g.,
traditional delivery on main campus; traditional delivery at branch campuses or centers;
or nontraditional delivery such as distance or distributed learning, self-paced instruction,
or external degree programs). If the proposed delivery system will require specialized
services or greater than normal financial support, include projected costs in Table 2 in
Appendix A. Provide a narrative describing the feasibility of delivering the proposed
program through collaboration with other universities, both public and private. Cite
specific queries made of other institutions with respect to shared courses,
distance/distributed learning technologies, and joint-use facilities for research or
internships.
The proposed Ph.D. in Cell and Molecular Biology will be traditionally delivered on campus.
Because the primary focus is on bench-related research it would be inappropriate to execute the
program through distance or distributed learning.
IX.
Faculty Participation
A. Use Table 4 in Appendix A to identify existing and anticipated ranked (not visiting or
15
Revised 11/23/2011
adjunct) faculty who will participate in the proposed program through Year 5. Include (a)
faculty code associated with the source of funding for the position; (b) name; (c) highest
degree held; (d) academic discipline or specialization; (e) contract status (tenure, tenureearning, or multi-year annual [MYA]); (f) contract length in months; and (g) percent of
annual effort that will be directed toward the proposed program (instruction, advising,
supervising internships and practica, and supervising thesis or dissertation hours).
The proposed Ph.D. program is focused on laboratory research, so the main effort by the faculty
is mentoring, advising and supervising students in their dissertation research efforts. The CMMB
Department has 14 tenure earning/tenured assistant, associate or full professors engaged in mentoring of
Ph.D. graduate students and in teaching graduate courses. In addition, two of our permanent instructors
teach graduate courses as part of their assignment as summarized in Table 4.
B. Use Table 2 in Appendix A to display the costs and associated funding resources for
existing and anticipated ranked faculty (as identified in Table 2 in Appendix A). Costs
for visiting and adjunct faculty should be included in the category of Other Personnel
Services (OPS). Provide a narrative summarizing projected costs and funding sources.
The Ph.D. degree in Cell and Molecular Biology will be phased in as a replacement for
the old Ph.D. degree in Biology: Concentration in Cell and Molecular Biology. This is being done
as part of the reorganization of the old Biology department into two new departments. The
number of majors in the Ph.D. degree in Cell and Molecular Biology is expected to be similar to
the number of majors in the old Ph.D. degree in Biology: Concentration in Cell and Molecular
Biology. Because of this, the amount of SCH generated by the CMMB Department is not
expected to change and no additional cost or funding sources will be necessary. We anticipate
moderate growth in the number of faculty in the department over the next five years, primarily to
catch up with growth in our undergraduate and graduate programs over the last few years.
These new faculty positions are not linked to the proposed Ph.D. program directly.
C. Provide in the appendices the curriculum vitae (CV) for each existing faculty member (do
not include information for visiting or adjunct faculty).
D. Provide evidence that the academic unit(s) associated with this new degree have been
productive in teaching, research, and service. Such evidence may include trends over
time for average course load, FTE productivity, student HC in major or service courses,
degrees granted, external funding attracted, as well as qualitative indicators of excellence.
The CMMB Department offers several undergraduate and graduate degrees:
B.S. in Biology, concentration in Cell and Molecular Biology (624* students)
B.S. in Microbiology (300 students)
B.S. in Health Sciences (600 students)
M.S. in Biology, Concentration in Cell and Molecular Biology (15 students)
M.S. in Microbiology (3 students)
Ph.D. in Biology: Concentration in Cell and Molecular Biology (34 students)
Ph.D. in Cancer Biology (in association with the Moffitt Cancer Center, 32 students)
*The B.S. in Biology is shared with the Integrative Biology Department. Approximately half of the
current 1249 headcount are in the Cell and Molecular Biology Concentration).
The department faculty members are extraordinarily productive in teaching:
Undergraduate students in Biology, Microbiology and Health Sciences total
approximately 1500 students. Undergraduate SCH is approaching 25,0000 annually. Each
CMMB faculty member teaches an average of 603 SCH per semester. This includes 14
research active faculty and 7 full time instructors.
16
Revised 11/23/2011
CMMB Undergraduate Headcount
20,000
800
15,000
600
Headcount
Undergraduate SCH
CMMB Undergraduate SCH by Academic Year
10,000
400
200
0
5,000
Micro
0
Series1
06/07
12,916
07/08
14,704
08/09
16,655
06/07
109
07/08
91
08/09
87
09/10
188
10/11
243
642
634
738
700
624
Biology-CMB
09/10
17,582
Health Sciences
585
CMMB has approximately 34 Ph.D. students with the Biology: Concentration in Cell and
Molecular Biology program, and an additional 32 Ph.D. students in the associated program at
the Moffitt Cancer Center. In addition, there are 18 M.S. students within the department. Annual
graduate SCH in the department reached 1800 in the 10/11 academic year:
CMMB Graduate Student Headcount
Headcount
CMMB Graduate SCH
2000
Graduate SCH
1500
1000
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
MS
07/08
6
08/09
8
09/10
9
10/11
13
11/12
18
PhD
18
24
24
32
34
Total
24
32
33
45
52
500
0
Graduate SCH
07/08
917
08/09
1222
09/10
1417
10/11
1796
There is a strong research commitment within the department. In the current academic year,
CMMB faculty hold a total of $7.5 million in extramural funds and spend approximately
$2.2.million each year on research activities, primarily by graduate students. The 14 research
faculty members collectively publish approximately 34 publications each year.
CMMB Research Expenditures
Academic Years 2006-2011
$2,500,000
$2,000,000
$1,500,000
$1,000,000
$500,000
$0
06/07 07/08 08/09 09/10 10/11
CMMB faculty carry out significant service projects each year. Typically this is
departmental, college and university committee work as well as peer reviewing of manuscripts
17
Revised 11/23/2011
for journals and grant proposals for funding agencies. In addition, our faculty serve as editors
and on editorial boards for journals and scientific organizations, organize conferences, judge
science fair projects and a myriad of other duties.
X.
Non-Faculty Resources
A. Describe library resources currently available to implement and/or sustain the proposed
program through Year 5. Provide the total number of volumes and serials available in
this discipline and related fields. List major journals that are available to the university’s
students. Include a signed statement from the Library Director that this subsection and
subsection B have been reviewed and approved.
The University of South Florida’s Library System consists of the USF’s main research library
located on the Tampa campus and includes the Hicks and Elaine Shimberg Health Sciences
Library and the Louis de la Parte Mental Health Institute Library.
All of the USF Libraries provide access to more than 2 million volumes and an extensive
collection of electronic resources including approximately 52,500 e-journal subscriptions,
541,000 eBooks and 900 aggregator databases (i.e. AccessScience, BIOSIS Citation Index,
MEDLINE, Web of Knowledge, Web of Science) containing another 13,000 unique e-journal
titles, 48,000 e-books, and 150,000 digital images.
The USF Libraries subscribe to 767 print and other non-electronic format serials in the major
subject fields of biology and an additional 779 in the related areas of the medical and
chemical(molecular) sciences. The USF Libraries provides online subscriptions to 1331
periodical and journal titles in the major subject fiends of biology (direct online subscription titles
and multi-publisher aggregated titles) and 3963 more in the related areas of medicine and
chemistry (molecular). Included in the 1331 total electronic titles are 129 Microbiology titles. See
the appendix for more information.
B. Describe additional library resources that are needed to implement and/or sustain the
program through Year 5. Include projected costs of additional library resources in Table
3 in Appendix A.
Recognizing the value and importance of research in biology, the USF Libraries will
continue a sustained level of support for doctoral research in Cell Biology, Microbiology and
Molecular Biology, along with allied and associated subject areas and disciplines. Within the
next five years, the expectation would be for a continued level of support for these disciplines.
An increase in the cost of the library’s journal subscriptions would be anticipated, with typical
annual increases of 3-6%. The acquisition of additional resources would have to balanced
against the research needs of other academic disciplines on campus within the confines of any
budgetary restraints that the university could face during the next five years. See the appendix
for more information.
Signature of Library Director
Date
A complete signed statement from the USF Library Director is included in the Appendix
C. Describe classroom, teaching laboratory, research laboratory, office, and other types of
space that are necessary and currently available to implement the proposed program
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Revised 11/23/2011
through Year 5.
CMMB is located in the BSF and ISA buildings. There are 24,000 sf of research laboratory
space and 3,500 sf of office space assigned to CMMB in these buildings. There are also 7
undergraduate teaching labs in ISA totaling 8,400 sf dedicated to graduate students teaching
undergraduate laboratory courses. CMMB utilizes university wide classroom space for lecture
courses. These spaces are sufficient to support the new Ph.D. degree in Cell and Molecular
Biology.
D. Describe additional classroom, teaching laboratory, research laboratory, office, and other
space needed to implement and/or maintain the proposed program through Year 5.
Include any projected Instruction and Research (I&R) costs of additional space in Table 2
in Appendix A. Do not include costs for new construction because that information
should be provided in response to X (J) below.
No additional classroom, laboratory or office space will be necessary.
E. Describe specialized equipment that is currently available to implement the proposed
program through Year 5. Focus primarily on instructional and research requirements.
USF has abundant research infrastructure to support the endeavors of faculty and graduate
student. We possess departmental confocal miscroscopy, cell culture and microarray facilities.
University wide the Center for Drug Discovery and Innovation has extensive proteomics and
mass-spectrometry facilities, as well as NMR instrumentation. Through various USF Health
departments we have access to animal experimentation facilities, flow cytometry, fluorescent
imaging, analytical and electron microscopy, laser microdissection and histology tools. This is in
addition to individual laboratory equipment and instrumentation within CMMB.
F.
Describe additional specialized equipment that will be needed to implement and/or
sustain the proposed program through Year 5. Include projected costs of additional
equipment in Table 2 in Appendix A.
No additional specialized equipment is needed to sustain the new Ph.D. degree in Cell and
Molecular Biology.
G. Describe any additional special categories of resources needed to implement the program
through Year 5 (access to proprietary research facilities, specialized services, extended
travel, etc.). Include projected costs of special resources in Table 2 in Appendix A.
No additional specialized categories of resources are needed to sustain the new Ph.D. degree
in Cell and Molecular Biology.
H. Describe fellowships, scholarships, and graduate assistantships to be allocated to the
proposed program through Year 5. Include the projected costs in Table 2 in Appendix A.
The department receives a teaching assistantship and tuition waiver budget from the College to
support graduate students enrolled in our department who teach undergraduate laboratory
courses. The department receives about $20,000 annually in THARP and $10,000 in WOODS
foundation money to support the continuance of graduate education. These funds are used
primarily for summer support. Additional students are supported by research grants awarded to
our faculty via research assistantships, tuition waivers and laboratory supply money. In 2011, 4
graduate students were supported by research grants in the academic year and 11 in the
summer. We also have a number students supported in the department by USF scholarships,
including diversity success awards.
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Revised 11/23/2011
I.
Describe currently available sites for internship and practicum experiences, if
appropriate to the program. Describe plans to seek additional sites in Years 1 through 5.
Internships or Practicum Experiences are not required by the Ph.D. program in Cell and
Molecular Biology. Our students are required to perform experimental research, which they
conduct in the research laboratories of our faculty.
J.
If a new capital expenditure for instructional or research space is required, indicate where
this item appears on the university's fixed capital outlay priority list. Table 2 in
Appendix A includes only Instruction and Research (I&R) costs. If non-I&R costs, such
as indirect costs affecting libraries and student services, are expected to increase as a
result of the program, describe and estimate those expenses in narrative form below. It is
expected that high enrollment programs in particular would necessitate increased costs in
non-I&R activities.
No new funding is requested for the Ph.D. degree in Cell and Molecular Biology.
20