Program Purpose

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The purpose of this graduate program is to provide the best masters-level education possible for students interested in advanced studies of genetics and biotechnology. Genetics is the study of inheritance. Biotechnology is the application of modern molecular DNA technologies in improving agricultural productivity of plants and animals. The use of biotechnology has risen to prominence during the past 15 years and is widely recognized for its potential revolutionary impact upon society in the 21st Century. Students who graduate from the Master of Science program will be highly qualified for admission to other universities for further graduate studies. These students will be academically well prepared, will demonstrate integrity and character, and will be spiritually well balanced. Employment opportunities in industry and academia are especially plentiful for graduates with advanced degrees in genetics and biotechnology.

Students will be imbued with the attitude that (1) learning is a life-long process, (2) service to church and community are essential for a full life, and (3) and that these attributes will allow them to make significant contributions to their professions.

The genetics and biotechnology program is supported by seven faculty members in the Department of Plant and Wildlife Sciences, including six whose research interests focus on plants and one on animal biotechnology. These faculty members have complementary research interests in a wide array of areas such as molecular genetics, cytogenetics, breeding, genomics, plant pathology, bioinformatics and cell biology. Moreover, they share common research facilities and projects. Thus, it is anticipated that graduate students in the genetics and biotechnology program will have close contact with numerous faculty members, other graduate students and be supportive of undergraduate mentoring efforts.

Curricular Structure

The genetics and biotechnology curriculum is flexible and has been designed to meet the needs of individual students with varying scientific interest. Basic requirements include a minimum of 24 credit hours of course work (see program MAP) plus 6 thesis hours (PWS 699R). Require course work include PWS 673R (Cytogenetics), PWS 670 (Analysis of Complex Genomes), plus two semesters of PWS694R (Graduate Seminar). All graduate are required to write a research thesis in a scientific format, in preparation for submission to a peer reviewed journal and pass a final oral examination and defense of their thesis. Evidence that this program is achieving it goals come the placement of graduate students at leading university in the United States.

Graduate Catalog

Handbook for Graduate Studies in Agronomy and Genetics and Biotechnology

Requirements for Degree

Learning Outcomes

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Genetics and Biotechnology Fundamentals

Explain and justify the use of advanced techniques in molecular genetics, genomics, and biotechnology, and to interpret the results of such analyses. Example techniques include genome sequencing and assembly, genotyping, and comparative genomics.

Technical and Laboratory Skills

Utilize technical skills acquired through lab experience and apply these skills in formulating solutions to life science questions.

Effective Communication

Communicate proficiently through oral and written scientific media.

Human Stewardship, Sustainability, and Christlike Service

Identify specific ways training in applied genetics and biotechnology can address issues of earthly stewardship and sustainability, and demonstrate a strong desire to help Mankind in a Christlike way.

Evidence of Learning

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Assessment of student performance in each course comes via writing experiences, midterm examinations, in-class presentations, and final examinations. In addition, each student must present a 1 hour oral thesis defense to their graduate committee and department faculty. Each student must pass a oral and a written examination to assess their acquired knowledge and expertise as it relates to their field of study. The student's reasoning and critical thinking ability as well as conceptual knowledge of statistics, genetics, bioinformatics, plant/animal breeding and molecular biology are evaluated in the thesis defense and oral examination. Their thesis is written in the format required of peer-reviewed journal articles. Specifically, program effectiveness will be assessed by:

1. Publication of peer reviewed research. Students are expected to publish as first authors and present research finding at prominent national science conferences. At a minimum, one peer reviewed publication and one scientific presentation is expected from each student in the genetics and biotechnology graduate program.
2. Employment rate. Immediate employment of 90% of graduates from the program in the biotechnology industry or acceptance to advanced studies at professional schools (e.g., doctoral programs, medical school, and law school).
3. Receipt of fellowships and assistantships. Of those student pursuing doctoral degrees, 90% will receive financial assistance in the form of fellowships or assistantships.
4. Exit interviews. Student will rank their overall training and preparation for employment or professional school as good to excellent in a written exit interview.

Program-related assessment information will be collected each year at the end of the winter semester and reported to the department chair and the graduate coordinating committee. Quantitative measures will be collected from the University and College databases. Exit interview comments will be added to each year's report.

Assessments for Learning Outcomes

1. We will assess the first learning outcome by student performance on two exams taken during the final year of study. The first is the ETS Biology Exam, which is a national standardized exam administered near the end of Biology 420 (Evolutionary Biology), the capstone class for the Biology Core class series, and which all Genetics & Biotechnology majors take. The second instrument for assessing student competency in this area is the final exam for the major capstone classes, PWS 486 (Advanced Plant Cell Biology) for plant biotechnology students. Faculty are working together to formulate a standard final exam for both courses.
2. We will assess the second learning outcome by monitoring student final exam scores in two highly analytical courses in the Biology Core: Biology 340 (Genetics) and 360 (Cell Biology).
3. The third outcome will be assessed by evaluating student performance in their respective PWS 494R (soon to be PWS 410) capstone research projects. Each student must present in our weekly lab meeting their results to professors and fellow students. In addition, the lead professor evaluates each student's technical work as recorded in their respective electronic notebook within our online laboratory information management system (LIMS). Overall student performance is recorded using the A-E standard grade rule.
4. Student oral communication is assessed during their presentations in the weekly lab meeting. These presentations are a requirement of both PWS 310R (Mentored Laboratory Techniques) and 494R (Mentored Learning Experience).Written communication proficiency is assessed through an in-depth literature review assignment in the capstone courses (PWS 486 and 487).
5. Students will be required to respond in a 3-5 page written essay in their capstone course to the question, How do you perceive the relationship between biotechnology, sustainability, and your divine role as a steward?

Learning and Teaching Assessment and Improvement

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The Graduate Coordinating Committee within the department serves to monitor student achievement and progress. This committee has an annual review with each graduate student to monitor scholastic and research progress. The committee also serves as the curriculum committee for the graduate program and regularly interacts with faculty within the department and the college graduate committee on curriculum matters.

See the document below titled "PAA PAS MS Genetics and Biotechnology."