University may create biological sciences division

By AMY OAKES
Collegian Staff Writer

Beginning next fall there may be a new program that will allow students to enhance their study of biology.

The Life Sciences Steering Committee is now working to create a Division of Biological Sciences, which will give students more options by offering a broader view of topics, said Virginia Imboden, assistant to the senior vice president for research and graduate education.

Last year the Life Sciences Study Group, created by the University Future Committee, proposed forming a Life Sciences College. But University President Joab Thomas did not think it was feasible because of the amount of funding, Imboden said.

Nina Fedoroff, director of the Biotechnology Institute and Verne M. Willaman professor of life science, said although Thomas did not see the need for the new college, he did like some of the suggestions.

"He wanted us to try to figure out a way to implement the suggestions," she said.

In an effort to carry out the group's ideas, the Life Sciences Steering Committee was created. Fedoroff, committee chairwoman, said the group's main goal is to create a plan for the Division of Biological Sciences.

Fedoroff said after two information-sharing meetings, the group has formulated four tasks to implement. The tasks will benefit both undergraduate and graduate students.

Daniel Deaver, professor of reproductive physiology, said the biggest component of the division will be the formation of the BioCore, which is a group of individuals from different colleges who will teach the introductory biology courses.

"It should enhance teaching in undergraduate biological science," he said, adding that the teachers will all come in with different backgrounds, which will give students a wider range of instruction.

Graduate students will benefit from the new division through better communication with an integration of faculty from different colleges across campus and at different locations, Deaver said.

"The Division of Biological Sciences breaks down barriers between colleges," he said.

Stephen Schaeffer, associate professor of biology, said the division will better prepare students by giving them a wider range of topics to study.

"It's hard to predict in the future what will be important in the field of biology," he said.

But Schaeffer said one concern about the division will be regulation.

"It will add another level of bureaucracy to the University," he said.

Although there are no definite plans, Schaeffer said one problem with the division and its formation of specialty sections is the question of who is in charge.

"When faculty join a specialized section in the division and are still a part of their own college, who will they answer to?" he said.

Fedoroff said before any of the Steering Committee's plans are implemented, they will be submitted to various faculty and people outside the University for feedback.

"I don't know how big the job will be, but it will be an ongoing process," she said.