Mission Statement
Many of the important scientific discoveries in the past decade have
occurred as a result of growth in the biomolecular sciences. In response to
these changes, the Institute for Biomolecular Sciences was created to foster
regional education, communication and research collaborations in the
biomolecular sciences.
Goals
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Enhance educational opportunities in the biomolecular sciences.
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Expand opportunities for biomolecular sciences
communication and research.
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Facilitate recruitment and retention of talented undergraduate and
graduate students to the biomolecular sciences.
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Attract talented biomolecular scientists to the region.
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Increase extramural funding for the biomolecular sciences.
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Increase the visibility of biomolecular sciences.
Background
In the past decade, UW-L has attained an
increasingly higher profile as a university for the study of science. That
reputation has been enhanced through hiring many faculty members with
diverse backgrounds in molecular bioscience—a rapidly expanding and highly
technical discipline in the biological life sciences. In short, UW-L has
attained a critical mass of faculty devoted to the study of life at a
molecular level, which is reflected in substantial changes to both the
curriculum and research focuses within the College of Science and Allied
Health, specifically in the Departments of Biology, Chemistry, and
Microbiology.
In Fiscal Year 2002, the budget of the State of
Wisconsin included an Economic Stimulus Package (ESP) that provided capital
to bolster the economic climate of the State by investing in the education
and training individuals in high technology areas. UW-L received ESP
resources and allocated a substantial amount of those resources to the
College of Science and Allied Health (CSAH). The CSAH allocated part of
those resources to the Departments of Biology and Chemistry to increase the
number of students in the Cellular & Molecular Concentration (Biology Major,
undergraduate and graduate) and in the new Biochemistry Major (Chemistry
Department, undergraduate). In Fiscal Year 2004, the CSAH reallocated some
of its ESP resources to the Department of Microbiology to increase the
number of students in its Biomedical Concentration (undergraduate).
Rationale
In recognition of the importance of teaching,
research, and outreach activities of faculty with expertise in molecular
bioscience at UW-L, we have established an Institute for Biomolecular
Studies in the CSAH. The formation of the Institute for Biomolecular
Studies will serve as a formal mechanism to bring together as a cohesive
group all interested faculty with expertise in this discipline. The
Institute will increase collaboration within the campus and will increase
and strengthen partnerships with industry, government, and other academic
institutions in the region and nation. Expected benefits of the Institute
include the following:
·
Heightened visibility of this group both on
campus and externally
·
Greater diversity of expertise for teaching,
research, and outreach
·
Greater ability to compete for extramural
resources at the state and national levels
·
Greater ability to recruit talented
undergraduate and graduate students to the university
·
More efficient use of resources
These benefits will enhance the value of the
educational experience of the affected students, help to support the
regional economy, and increase the stature of UW-L as an excellent
university.
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