March 27, 2018 Academic Program Development 2614 University Hall (MC 103) 601 South Morgan Street Chicago, Illinois 60607-7126 TO: FROM: Ilene Harris, Chair Senate Committee on Educational Policy Dana Wright, Director of Academic Program Development I am submitting for the review and action of the Senate Committee on Educational Policy the attached Proposal to Revise the Doctor of Philosophy in Microbiology and Immunology. The proposal was approved by Susan Ross, Professor and Head, Department of Microbiology and Immunology and Larry Tobacman, Senior Associate Dean for Research, College of Medicine. ATTACHMENT
Format for Academic Program Changes Office of Programs and Academic Assessment (OPAA) Updated January 2013 Title: Proposal to Revise the PhD in Microbiology Sponsor: Department of Microbiology & Immunology College of Medicine Executive Summary: Description: The Department of Microbiology & Immunology wants to eliminate MIM 455: Microbiology Laboratory Rotation as a requirement of the PhD program and have the course removed from the catalog. The Department of Microbiology and Immunology would like to revise the PhD program by removing MIM 455 (Microbiology Laboratory Rotation) as a requirement. The current catalog statement notes that students must take a total of 9 hours of MIM 455 a course in basic and applied methods essential for the study of nucleic acids, immunoglobulins, gene transfer, cell fusion, virological and immunological methods. However, in practice students no longer take this course. PhD students in Microbiology and Immunology receive content and experience previously offered in MIM 455, through the curriculum of the College of Medicine s GEMS program. During the first year, students additionally engage in three or four laboratory rotations of 10 weeks each through the GEMS program (GEMS 506). The students select from among the GEMS faculty potential mentors for their thesis research. At the end of the first year, students select their mentor and department from within the College of Medicine. The PhD is awarded by the degree-granting program that the student selects. MIM 455 will also be removed as a requirement from students in the Medical Scientist Training Program. Justification: The PhD students are part of the Graduate Education in Medical Sciences (GEMS) umbrella program. The GEMS department now requires students to take GEMS 506 (GEMS Research Rotation) as part of the curriculum. The offering of this course serves the same purpose and makes MIM 455 unnecessary. The (Medical Scientist Training Program) MSTP students obtain an MD degree and a PhD degree. The first two years of the MSTP are used to complete the first two years of medical school. During this time, they are encouraged to explore research opportunities in any academic department of the College of Medicine and selected 1
graduate departments throughout the university. After admission, the students complete three rotations through the laboratories of various potential advisors before a choice is made. The choice of a permanent thesis advisor and graduate department takes place by the end of the second year of medical school. These rotations will sufficiently cover the 3 hours of MIM 455 that MSTP students are currently required. Catalog Statement: See below. Minority Impact Statement: Budgetary and Staff Implications: Library Resource Implications: Space Implications: Unit (e.g. department) approval date: College (educational policy committee, faculty) approval dates: Susan R. Ross March 12, 2018 Professor and Head, Dept. of Microbiology and Immunology Larry Tobacman March 19, 2018 Senior Associate Dean for Research, College of Medicine & Professor of Medicine Contact Person: Erin Fagan/Academic Advisor (312) 996-3994 Proposed Effective Date/Term: Fall 2018 2
Catalog Statement for the PhD in Microbiology and Immunology Current Proposed In addition to the Graduate College minimum requirements, students must meet the following program requirements: Minimum Semester Hours Required 96 from the baccalaureate. Course Work Required Courses MIM 455 Microbiology Laboratory Rotation (9 hours) Remove All students must take or show proficiency in three of four of the following courses: GEMS 500 GEMS 501 GEMS 502 GEMS 503 Physiology Biochemistry Molecular Biology Cell Biology Students must also take or show proficiency in: GEMS 504 GEMS 505 GEMS 506 GEMS 510 GEMS 511 MIM 594 MIM 595 Research Methods I Research Methods II GEMS Research Rotation Integrative Biology Molecular Genetics Special Topics in Microbiology, Immunology and Virology (1 hour) Seminar in Microbiology and Immunology (4-6 hours) Select two additional 500-level courses. The following courses are 3
recommended: MIM 551 MIM 553 MIM 560 Advanced Immunology Molecular Biology of Viruses Microbial Pathogenesis Preliminary Examination Required. Dissertation Required. Students must earn at least 52 hours in MIM 599. Other Requirements During the second year of graduate study, students must conduct a satisfactory oral defense of a written research proposal on their thesis subject. All graduate students, regardless of their means of financial support, must participate in the teaching programs of the department for one semester of each academic year. This requirement includes experiences in laboratory instruction, lecturing, and audiovisual presentations. Medical Scientist Training Program Students with an MD degree earned in the United States or who are working toward one at UIC may use medical science courses to fulfill the 500-level course requirements. Such students must take 3 semester hours of MIM 455; 1 hour of MIM 594; 6 semester hours of MIM 595; and 59 semester hours of MIM 599. Other courses required will be determined by the graduate committee based on the student s area of interest. Medical Scientist Training Program Students with an MD degree earned in the United States or who are working toward one at UIC may use medical science courses to fulfill the 500-level course requirements. Such students must take 1 hour of MIM 594; 6 semester hours of MIM 595; and 59 semester hours of MIM 599. Other courses required will be determined by the graduate committee based on the student s area of interest. 4