University of Central Missouri, BS, Biochemistry

1. Form NP

NEW PROGRAM PROPOSAL FORM

Sponsoring Institution(s): University of Central Missouri ? Warrensburg
Program Title: Biochemistry
Degree/Certificate: Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry
Options: None
Delivery Site(s): University of Central Missouri
CIP Classification: 260202
Implementation Date: Spring 2008
Expected Date of First Graduation: May 2010

AUTHORIZATION

Dr. Provost
Dr. Wayne Stalick (660) 543 ? 8727

2. Need

A. Student Demand

The Department of Chemistry and Physics has not done a formal survey to determine student interest in earning a B.S. in Biochemistry degree. Although, discussions with our current students has revealed that there are students who would be very interested in this degree. The success of Biochemistry, Biotechnology, and Biochemistry and Molecular Biology programs at peer institutions has proven that Biochemistry is an attractive and viable field of study.

i. Student Enrollment Projections ? Form SE

Year	1	2	3	4	5
Full-Time	5	10	25	35	40
Part-Time	0	0	0	0	0
TOTAL	5	10	25	35	40

B. Market Demand

The need for this program was determined by the growth in employment opportunities in the biochemical and life sciences, and the success of biochemistry programs at other regional universities. The American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology write in their career brochure ?Projections for the next 20 years indicate that there will be thousands of unfulfilled science and engineering jobs. A large fraction of these shortages will be in the fields of biochemistry and molecular biology.? The Biotechnology Industry Organization (www.bio.org) reports that since 1994 to 2005, the number of people employed in the biotechnology industry has increased from 103,000 to 187,000. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (www.bls.gov) reports that positions for Life Scientists, which includes biochemists, are expected to grow at an average to above average pace through 2014. Currently there are several state and regional initiatives to improve the visibility and viability of the biotechnology industry in the state of Missouri. These initiatives include the state Advisory Council for Plant Biotechnology, the Missouri Life Sciences Trust Fund, Lewis and Clark Discovery Initiative, Kansas City Area Life Sciences Institute, and the Coalition for Plant and Life Sciences based in Saint Louis (www.bio.org/local/battelle2006/Missouri.pdf). The unifying goal of these initiatives is to attract more biotechnology companies to open facilities in the region. In order to attract biotechnology companies to the region there is a need for an educated work force from the associate?s degree to the doctorate. The Missouri Department of Higher Education Website reports that the state of Missouri has identified ?Biomedical/biotechnology or life sciences? as a field that represents an area of need (www.dhe.mo.gov/clarifyingcommetns.shtml). It is important that the University of Central Missouri offer programs that will prepare people to enter into the biotechnology work force.

C. Societal Demand

The proposed B.S. Degree Biochemistry will be designed to meet the needs of students seeking employment in biochemical and life sciences and meet the needs of students seeking to enter graduate school or professional programs. The Biochemistry degree will allow pre-med students to take the chemistry and biology course that focus on the knowledge required for acceptance and success in medical schools.

D. Methodology

Information about market and societal demand come from the US Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics website, Biotechnology Industry Organization website, and the Battelle Report on Life Sciences in the State of Missouri.

3. Duplication and Collaboration

Six other Missouri institutions offer an undergraduate program in Biochemistry. University of Missouri-Columbia, Rockhurst University, Missouri Southern State University, Avila University, University of Missouri-St. Louis and Missouri Western State University offer Bachelors degrees in Biochemistry and the University of Missouri-St. Louis offers an undergraduate certificate in biotechnology.
A Biochemistry degree is attractive to students with interests ranging from in laboratory technician, graduate school and health related professional schools. The program combines current course offerings in biology, mathematics, physics, and chemistry and will require the creation of two new chemistry offerings. This proposal would allow Central Missouri to offer the B.S. in Biochemistry, without increasing the faculty course load and initially no new resources required.

4. Program Structure

FORM PS

PROGRAM STRUCTURE

A. Total credits required for graduation: 124 (including at least 40 upper division hours)

B. Residency requirements, if any: standard UCM requirements

C. General education: Total credits: 48 (Major requirements satisfy 10 credits of general education for 48 total)

Courses (specific courses OR distribution area and credits):

Written Communications - 6 cr
Communication - 3 cr
Mathematical Reasoning - 3 cr (satisfied by major)
Life and Physical Science - 7 cr (satisfied by major)
Technology - 2-3cr
Social and Behavioral Science - 9 cr
Humanities and Fine Arts - 9 cr
Cultural Interactions - 3 cr
Personal Interaction - 3 cr
Integrative Studies - 3 cr

D. Major requirements: Total credits: 71-73

General Chemistry I (with laboratory) - 5 cr
General Chemistry II (with laboratory) - 5 cr
Quantitative Analysis (with laboratory) - 3 cr
Organic Chem. I (with laboratory) - 4 cr
Organic Chem. II (with laboratory) - 4 cr
Intermediate Biochemistry - 3 cr
Comm. Skills in Chemistry - 2 cr
Advanced Biochemistry - 3 cr
Biochemistry Laboratory - 2 cr
Physical Chem. I - 4 cr
Principles of Biology - 3 cr
Cell Biology - 3 cr
Genetics (with laboratory) - 4 cr
Molecular Biology - 3 cr
Molecular Biology Laboratory - 2 cr
Calculus & Analytical Geometry I - 5 cr

Electives from the following - 8-10 cr
College Physics I (with laboratory) - 4 cr
AND
College Physics II (with laboratory) - 4 cr
OR
Univ. Physics I & Elem. Physics Lab I - 5 cr
AND
Univ. Physics II & Elem. Physics Lab II - 5 cr
OR
University Physics I (with laboratory) - 5 cr
AND
University Physics II (with laboratory) - 5 cr

Elective(s) from the following (4 must be in chemistry) - 8 cr
Inter. Inorganic Chem. (with laboratory) - 4 cr
Physical Chem. I (with laboratory) - 4 cr
Instrumental Analysis (with laboratory) - 4 cr
Mod. Organic Analysis (with laboratory) - 4 cr
Research in Chemistry - 2-4 cr
Microbiology (with laboratory) - 4 cr
Special Problems in Biology - 2-4 cr
Parasitology - 4 cr
Hematology/Virology, AND - 3 cr
Serology Laboratory - 1 cr

E. Free elective credits: 13-15 (Sum of C, D, and E should equal A)

F. Requirements for thesis, internship or other capstone experience: None, but research is recommended.

G. Any unique features such as interdepartmental cooperation: Students earning this degree will take 13-17 credit hours of biology and will have the ability to do research that applies knowledge learned in the chemistry and biology courses. This program has the full approval of both departments.

5. Financial Projections: FORM FP (Deleted)

6. Program Characteristics and Performance Goals

FORM PG

PROGRAM CHARACTERISTICS AND PERFORMANCE GOALS

Institution Name University of Central Missouri
Program Name Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry
Date March 21, 2007

Student Preparation

1. No special preparation or qualifications are necessary.

Faculty Characteristics

1. Current Biology, Physics, Mathematics and Chemistry faculty are qualified to teach in this program. No new faculty would need to be hired.
2. All courses in the degree program will be taught by full time faculty whenever possible. It is estimated that 90-95% of the credit hours would be taught by full time faculty.
3. The faculty of University of Central Missouri is expected to be excellent teachers and engage in scholarly activities that include undergraduates. Students in this program have the opportunity to engage in research under the guidance of the chemistry and/or biology faculty. The chemistry faculty and students present their research findings at local and national meetings. Faculty are expected to continue improving their teaching by keeping up to date on material or pedagogy.

Enrollment Projections

1. By the end of five years it is estimated that from the freshmen to senior level 35-45 students will be enrolled in this.
2. Due to the nature of the program it is expected that 90-100% of students enrolled in this program will be full time students.

Student and Program Outcomes

1. After three and five years of implementation it is expected that the program will award five to ten degrees, respectively. It is estimated that the program will awarded eight to twelve degrees per year.
2. Students will acquire the knowledge and many laboratory techniques required for employment in the biotechnology industry. Students will acquire the knowledge required for acceptance into graduate and medical related professional schools.
3. Students will not achieve licensing, certification, or registration from this program.
4. The Department of Chemistry and Physics has started several initiatives to assess student and program outcomes. The department is developing an interactive web-site to obtain alumni information with respect to job placement and satisfaction, and program satisfaction. Graduates have an exit interview with the department chair. The department has started to keep records of graduate placement in employment and graduate and profession schools and Currently, the MFAT (Major Field Assessment Test) is taken by most graduating seniors and it will be a requirement for a capstone course that is being develop. Students in the Biochemistry Program will take the American Chemical Society Standardized Biochemistry exam. Information obtained from these initiatives will be used to address program weakness.
5. It is expected that 90-100 % of graduates will either be employed in the biotechnology industry, in graduate school or professional school. The exact placement will depend upon student ability and interest. The department has started to keep record of placement of graduates.

Program Accreditation

No special accreditation is required for the Biochemistry Program. The American Chemical Society is in the process of developing new requirements for program accreditation and the Biochemistry Program should meet the new requirements for ACS accreditation.

Alumni and Employer Survey

The Department of Chemistry and Physics is currently developing questionnaires and an on-line survey to assess alumni satisfaction. Graduating students will be given an exit interview with the department chair. Alumni will be asked to fill on the on-line survey two and five years after graduation.

Institutional Characteristics

The Department of Chemistry and Physics at the University of Central Missouri has the ability to offer a B.S. degree in Biochemistry. During the last five years the department has obtained the necessary faculty expertise and laboratory equipment to support this program. The Biochemistry program has the support from chairs of the departments that offer courses required for the program. Chemistry graduates from UCM primarily enter graduate school or employment in the chemical industry or as science teachers. The Biochemistry program will better prepare students to enter the growing field of biotechnology, graduate school in life sciences, and health related professional programs. It is expected that the Biochemistry program will attract more premed students to the department and university.