Strategic Plan for Cell & Molecular Biology
Context For Planning
The department of Cell and Molecular Biology was established in 2009. It
currently offers a B.S. in Cell and Molecular Biology as well as an M.S.
with thesis-based and Professional Science Master's (PSM) options. Each
student graduating from from the department of Cell and Molecular
Biology has participated in research and made a public presentation on
that research. Graduates from both programs are extremely successful in
finding employment, admission to professional programs or receiving
excellent packages to attend PhD programs. Our strategic plan for
2016-2021 is focused on maintaining the quality and contemporaneity of
our programs as well as increasing the impact of our programs on the
students at GVSU, our community and our profession.
Mission
The CMB department integrates meaningful practical experiences with
excellent classroom teaching to prepare students to be critical
thinkers, engaged citizens, and creative and competent professionals.
Vision
The CMB program aspires to provide a first-rate degree program. We
recognize that a current, challenging curriculum, highlighted by
intensive laboratory courses and which forces our students out of their
comfort zones is a vital component of a first-rate program. To these
ends, we aspire to offer a rigorous core curriculum which provides a
strong basis of theoretical and practical skills supported by electives
which enhance our students abilities in fields related to cell and
molecular biology such as molecular genetics, bioinformatics,
computational biology, development, cancer biology, biotechnology and
applied fermentation.
We recognize that developing a facility with the scientific method, a
working knowledge of the tools available to address scientific
questions, an understanding of the evolution of scientific thought, and
the ability to use scientific principles to address problems in daily
life are critical components of a first-rate program. We aspire to
infuse our curriculum with historical and current examples of the
application of the scientific method to problems in cell and molecular
biology and allow students to practice the scientific method in
laboratory settings with the aim that they integrate the scientific
method in their own daily thought.
We recognize that student involvement in original research is a critical
component to a first-rate cell and molecular biology program and we
aspire to provide the means for all of our undergraduates, and graduate
students pursuing a thesis, to participate in research.
We recognize that a diverse faculty engaged in their areas of expertise
and responsive to the needs of our students, colleagues and community
are necessary for a first-rate program. We aspire to support our faculty
such that they may perform these roles.
We recognize that graduates who are competitive for direct employment or
for further training in graduate and professional programs are
indicative of a first-rate program. We aspire to have all of our
graduates either employed in a field of their choice using the expertise
developed in the CMB program or accepted into graduate or professional
programs in which they will build on their expertise.
Value Statement
The CMB program values an academic environment that features: " A
broad, challenging and current curriculum featuring intensive laboratory
courses along with excellent classroom instruction; "
Opportunities for undergraduate and graduate research; " An
engaged, diverse and responsive faculty, dedicated to excellent
teaching, scholarship and professional service; " An understanding
of the methods, tools and history, of science; and " A recognition
of the value of service.
Strategic Priorities, outcomes, and key objectives
Strategic Priority Area 1: Actively engage learners at all levels.
Outcome A: Grand Valley's learning environment is personal, challenging, and transformational, supporting excellent academic programs and co-curricular opportunities.
Objective 1.A.1
At least 95% of CMB undergraduates engage in 3 or more high impact
learning experiences by the time they complete their capstone.
Baseline
We estimate that currently at least 95% of CMB undergraduate students
engage in 2 or more high impact learning experiences by the time they
graduate but we do not yet have definitive data.
Progress
2017 Status
Achieved
Our curriculum now guarantees that all students graduating with a CMB degree will have completed at least 3 high-impact learning experiences.
Objective 1.A.2
At least 95% of CMB graduate students engage in 3 or more high impact
learning experiences by the time they graduate.
Baseline
We estimate that currently at least 95% of CMB graduate students engage
in 2 or more high impact learning experiences by the time they graduate
but we do not yet have definitive data.
Progress
2018 Status
Achieved
Our curriculum ensures that all CMB Masters students will engage in at least three high impact learning experiences by the time they graduate. These include at least three laboratory courses, a course in the students must work collaboratively to solve an issue related to the biotechnology industry and an internship.
2017 Status
Substantial Progress
Our curriculum ensures that all CMB graduate students will engage in 3 or more high-impact learning experiences by the time they graduate.
Objective 1.A.3
As a class, undergraduates in the CMB capstone will score in at least
the 85 percentile on nationally-normed exam (Major Field Test) in Cell
Biology, Molecular Biology, Biochemistry and Genetics.
Baseline
Our graduating class generally scores at 85 %ile or above in the Major
Fields Test. We include this objective because we wish to maintain, or
build on, the high level of achievement of our students.
Progress
2018 Status
Achieved
Our students have surpassed the goals we have established by scoring in the 96, 99, 97 and 99 percentile, respectively for Cell Biology, Molecular Biology, Biochemistry and Genetics
2017 Status
Substantial Progress
Our students have met the goal -- see findings
Outcome B: Grand Valley is diverse and inclusive.
Objective 1.B.2
Since under-represented minorities are particularly positively impacted
by "high impact" activities, at least 95% of CMB graduate
students will engage in 3 or more high impact learning experiences by
the time they graduate.
Baseline
We estimate that currently at least 95% of CMB graduate students engage
in 2 or more high impact learning experiences by the time they graduate
but we do not yet have definitive data.
Progress
2018 Status
Achieved
in 2018, 100% of our CMB graduate students engaged in high-impact learning experiences.
2017 Status
Substantial Progress
100% of our graduating MS students in 2017 participated in 3 or more high impact learning experiences.
Outcome C: Grand Valley has mutually beneficial relationships, partnerships, collaborations, and connections with local, state, national, and world communities.
Objective 1.C.1
By 2021 CMB will have established at least 2 formal pipelines for
undergraduate and/or graduate internships.
Baseline
As of the 2015 academic year, no pipelines are established.
Progress
2018 Status
Substantial Progress
We currently have one pipeline with the Karmanos Cancer Institute at Wayne State University, where we generally send two interns each summer.
2017 Status
Substantial Progress
We have successfully sent three students to earmarked summer internship positions
Objective 1.C.2
CMB will establish an international relationship with an educational or
scientific institution.
Baseline
No current relationships
Progress
2018 Status
Minimal Progress
We have established contacts in Germany and South Africa but have as yet no formal relationships with them.
2017 Status
Minimal Progress
We continue to discuss international institutional relationships
Outcome D: Grand Valley supports innovative teaching, learning, integrative scholarly and creative activity, and the use of new technologies.
Objective 1.D.1
By 2021 CMB will determine the feasibility of offering some of its
curriculum online.
Baseline
In 2015, one section of PSM 650 was offered online.
Progress
2018 Status
Minimal Progress
No new courses have been offered online but some faculty members have taken the online teaching training preparatory to offering online courses. We continue to offer PSM 650 online
2017 Status
Minimal Progress
no new courses have been offered online
Objective 1.D.2
At least 90% of CMB laboratory courses will include the application of
biotechnology and/or inquiry-based learning experiences.
Baseline
We estimate that currently 70% of CMB laboratory courses include the
application of biotechnology and/or inquiry-based learning experiences.
We include this as an objective because we wish to feature our
laboratory courses as high-impact components of our curriculum.
Progress
2018 Status
Achieved
no change -- all of our lab courses include biotechnology and/or inquiry-based learning.
2017 Status
Achieved
We have added one more lab course which includes biotechnology and inquiry-based learning (CMB 180)
Outcome E: Grand Valley strategically allocates its fiscal, human, and other institutional resources.
Objective 1.E.1
CMB will offer a service course to share the expertise of CMB faculty
and to align with the fiscal norms of the institution.
Baseline
No service courses offered in 2015.
Progress
2018 Status
Substantial Progress
CMB 155/156 were offered for the first time in Fall 2018
2017 Status
Substantial Progress
We have submitted course proposals for CMB 155 and 156. These are introductory courses to cell and molecular biology for students interested in careers in research in the life sciences.
Strategic Priority Area 2: Further develop exceptional personnel.
Outcome A: Grand Valley's learning environment is personal, challenging, and transformational, supporting excellent academic programs and co-curricular opportunities.
Objective 2.A.1
Office staff participate in 95% of CLAS round-tables.
Baseline
We have no current data on round-table participation.
Progress
2018 Status
Achieved
Our office coordinator continues to participate in the CLAS round-tables
2017 Status
Achieved
Our departmental coordinator continues to participate in the CLAS round-tables.
Objective 2.A.2
All lab AP staff belong to a professional society
Baseline
one lab supervisor belongs to an appropriate society.
Progress
2018 Status
Achieved
No change -- both of our lab supervisors belong to the appropriate professional society.
2017 Status
Achieved
Since last year both of our lab supervisors have belonged to their professional society
Objective 2.A.3
100% of CMB tenure-track faculty have a membership in a professional
society.
Baseline
Currently 100% of CMB tenure-track faculty have memberships in
professional societies. We wish to maintain this level as an indication
of professional engagement.
Progress
2018 Status
Achieved
All CMB faculty members continue to belong to one (often more) professional societies.
2017 Status
Achieved
All CMB faculty members maintain membership in at least one professional society
Objective 2.A.4
95% of tenure-track faculty participate in a professional-development
workshop each year.
Baseline
Currently about 85% of tenure-track faculty participate in professional
development workshops
Progress
2018 Status
Achieved
This year all CMB faculty members participated in at least one professional-development workshop.
2017 Status
Substantial Progress
This year, 100% of CMB faculty participated in a professional development workshop according to their FARs
Outcome C: Grand Valley has mutually beneficial relationships, partnerships, collaborations, and connections with local, state, national, and world communities.
Objective 2.C.1
By 2021 CMB will develop an active student chapter of an appropriate
professional organization at the undergraduate and/or graduate level.
Baseline
no student chapters in 2015
Progress
2018 Status
Achieved
CMB has one undergraduate Student Organization (a chapter of the American Society of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology ASBMB) and one graduate Student Organization (Professional Association of Graduate Students -- PAGS)
2017 Status
Substantial Progress
We have developed a student chapter of the American Society of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Objective 2.C.2
The CMB department will seek honorary appointments to the department for
research mentors and collaborators from the community.
Baseline
No current honorary appointments.
Progress
2018 Status
Minimal Progress
No honorary appointments have been made to this date
2017 Status
Substantive Progress
We are in the process of establishing the first honorary appointments to CMB
Outcome D: Grand Valley supports innovative teaching, learning, integrative scholarly and creative activity, and the use of new technologies.
Objective 2.D.1
66% of CMB staff will participate annually in a workshop on topics
related to the use of technology.
Baseline
The current rate of CMB staff who participate in a workshop on topics
related to the use of technology is unknown.
Progress
2018 Status
Achieved
We met our goal with 2/3 of our staff participating in workshops related to the use of technology in 2018.
2017 Status
Achieved
We met our goal in 2017 since 2/3 of our staff participated in a workshop pertaining to the use of technology.
Objective 2.D.2
At least 80% of CMB faculty will participate in at least one CSCE, FTLC
or other workshop related to teaching, research, scholarship with
appropriate technologies annually.
Baseline
The current rate of faculty participation in CSCE, FTLC or other
workshop related to teaching, research, scholarship with appropriate
technologies is estimated to be 70%
Progress
2018 Status
Substantial Progress
In 2018, 82% of the CMB faculty participated in at least one CSCE, FTLC or other workshop related to teaching, research or scholarship.
2017 Status
Substantial Progress
In 2017, 82% of CMB faculty participated in a workshop related to teaching, research and/or scholarship with appropriate technologies.
Outcome E: Grand Valley strategically allocates its fiscal, human, and other institutional resources.
Objective 2.E.1
80% of CMB faculty and staff participate in professional development to
expand, enhance or extend their competencies and capabilities within the
context of the responsibilities of their positions.
Baseline
we estimate that in 2015, 70% of CMB faculty and staff participated in
professional development to expand, enhance or extend their competencies
and capabilities within the context of the responsibilities of their positions.
Progress
2018 Status
Achieved
In 2018, 93% of CMB faculty and staff participated in professional development activities.
2017 Status
Achieved
In 2017, 93% of CMB staff and faculty participated in professional development opportunities.
Strategic Priority Area 3: Ensure the alignment of institutional structures and functions.
Outcome A: Grand Valley's learning environment is personal, challenging, and transformational, supporting excellent academic programs and co-curricular opportunities.
Objective 3.A.1
Enrollment capacity in CMB courses expands to meet demands of qualified students
Baseline
We currently have courses which routinely fill to capacity.
Progress
2018 Status
Substantive Progress
We have added a section of CMB 350 for the W 2020 term. After removing a section of CMB 405 for the next year, we anticipate that it will run at more than 95% capacity. Other classes have some room for growth in enrollment.
2017 Status
Minimal Progress
Seats are available in most classes although CMB 405, some sections of CMB 406 fill quickly. CMB 350 always fills past its capacity
Objective 3.A.2
Increase number of students in CMB general education classes by 100%
over AY 2015 levels
Baseline
In AY 2015, students registered for 320 SCH in CMB general education courses.
Progress
2018 Status
Achieved
We have increased the enrollment in our general education courses over the 2015 level by 104%
2017 Status
Substantial Progress
We have increased enrollment in CMB general education courses by 111% over 2015 levels.
Objective 3.A.3
100% of graduate and 75% of undergraduate CMB students will earn
certification in the Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR).
Baseline
In the 2015 academic year, less than 25% of our undergraduate and
graduate students earn a RCR certificate.
Progress
2018 Status
Substantive Progress
Our program change was approved in this cycle and we expect to see results in the 2019 academic year when RCR training is required of all CMB students..
2017 Status
Minimal Progress
some undergraduates have completed an RCR certificate
Outcome B: Grand Valley is diverse and inclusive.
Objective 3.B.1
Ensure that at least 25% of CMB tenure-track faculty receive inclusion training.
Baseline
Currently one CMB faculty member has undergone inclusion training. This
represents 14% of the faculty.
Progress
2018 Status
Minimal Progress
one of eight faculty members have received inclusion training.
2017 Status
Minimal Progress
one of eight tenure-track CMB faculty members is an inclusion advocate.
Outcome E: Grand Valley strategically allocates its fiscal, human, and other institutional resources.
Objective 3.E.1
Maintain a transparent financial budgetary reporting to the department.
Baseline
Periodic budget updates to unit.
Progress
2018 Status
Substantial Progress
The faculty and staff are informed of the budget and any changes and are consulted to prioritize purchases and other expenditures.
2017 Status
Substantial Progress
Departmental faculty and staff are informed of the departmental budget and consulted about purchases and prioritizing budgetary requests.
Strategic Priority Area 4: Enhance the institution's image and reputation.
Outcome A: Grand Valley's learning environment is personal, challenging, and transformational, supporting excellent academic programs and co-curricular opportunities.
Objective 4.A.1
At least 50% of CMB undergraduate capstone students give external
presentations before graduation.
Baseline
We estimate that in AY 2015, 35% of CMB undergraduate capstone students
gave external presentations before graduation.
Progress
2018 Status
Substantial Progress
64% of the student s in the 2018 capstone reported that they had made at least one presentation of their research at a venue external to GVSU.
2017 Status
Substantial Progress
62.5% of our undergraduate capstone students reported presenting their research at a venue external to GVSU. 18 external presentations in all.
Objective 4.A.2
At least 75% of graduate students pursuing a thesis give external
presentations on their research.
Baseline
We estimate that in AY 2015, 50% of CMB graduate students pursuing a
thesis gave external presentations on their research.
Progress
2018 Status
Substantial Progress
This year, 100% of our graduating thesis students reported giving an external presentation of their research.
2017 Status
Substantive Progress
In 2017, 50% of the CMB graduate students pursuing a thesis gave a research presentation externally to GVSU
Objective 4.A.3
At least 75% of graduate students pursuing a thesis apply for
Presidential Research Grants.
Baseline
We estimate that in AY 2015, 50% of graduate students pursuing a thesis
applied for Presidential Research Grants while a thesis student.
Progress
2018 Status
Substantial Progress
This year we again had 100% of our graduate students apply for presidential research grants
2017 Status
Substantial Progress
This year we exceeded our goal with 100% of the graduate students in the capstone having applied for Presidential research grants.
Objective 4.A.4
At least 75% of CMB undergraduates who apply to graduate school will be
accepted into a graduate program.
Baseline
We estimate that in AY 2015 70% of CMB undergraduates who applied to
graduate school will be accepted into a graduate program, but we have no
definitive data.
Progress
2018 Status
Substantial Progress
in 2018, 94% of our students who had applied to graduate school had been admitted to a graduate program.
2017 Status
Substantial Progress
100% of our undergraduates who applied for graduate school or professional school were accepted by the time of their capstone class.
Objective 4.A.5
Of the students from which we receive data, at least 80% of graduates
with a BS in CMB are employed in their field or in graduate programs.
Baseline
We estimate that 60-80% of graduates with a BS in CMB are employed in
their field or in graduate programs, but we have no definitive data.
Progress
2018 Status
Substantial Progress
Of the students for which we have data, 100% of our graduates (2017) are employed (53%) or in graduate/professional school (47%).
2017 Status
Substantial Progress
100% of our graduates (class of 2015) are employed (61%) or in graduate programs (39%)
Objective 4.A.6
Of the students from which we receive data, at least 80% of graduates
with an MS in CMB are employed in their field or in graduate programs.
Baseline
We estimate that 60 - 80% of graduates with an MS in CMB are employed in
their field or in graduate programs but we have no definitive data.
Progress
2018 Status
Substantial Progress
Of the graduates from our MS programs in 2017, 100% are employed in the field (93%) or are in professional school (7%).
2017 Status
Substantial Progress
Of our MS graduates in 2015, 93% are employed in their fields (80%) or pursuing further education (PhD, 13%).
Objective 4.A.7
Every year, at least 50% of CMB tenure-track faculty will present their
research at a national or international conference.
Baseline
We estimate that, on average, CMB tenure-track faculty present their
research at a national or international conference every other year. We
have not collected data for individual faculty and we anticipate that
this goal will encourage an increase in conference presentations by CMB faculty.
Progress
2018 Status
Substantive Progress
In 2018, 36% of the CMB faculty presented their research at national conferences.
2017 Status
Substantial Progress
55% of CMB faculty gave presentations at national conferences
Outcome C: Grand Valley has mutually beneficial relationships, partnerships, collaborations, and connections with local, state, national, and world communities.
Objective 4.C.1
By 2021, CMB will increase the number of community partners that provide
support to our undergraduate and graduate programs
Baseline
Currently three community partners support our undergraduate and
graduate programs
Progress
2018 Status
Substantial Progress
Our undergraduate and graduate students had high-impact research experiences at two Research Universities, The MSU College of Human Medicine, The Van Andel Institute and four private companies.
2017 Status
Substantial Progress
Our graduating BS and MS students had high-impact research experiences at three research universities, the VARI, the Michigan State College of Human Medicine and two companies.
Objective 4.C.3
CMB will hold annual symposia and conferences which will showcase
research and internship experiences of our undergraduate and graduate
students. These will be open to the public including parents, mentors
and community members.
Baseline
First symposium held this year. We wish to add this as an objective to
emphasize the importance of public presentations to the program and to
encourage expansion of public participation in the events.
Progress
2018 Status
Achieved
We have added a second undergraduate symposium in the fall semester to accommodate students graduating in December.
2017 Status
Achieved
We have reached our goal and made the undergraduate research symposium and graduate PSM showcase regular events (in March and April, respectively).
Outcome E: Grand Valley strategically allocates its fiscal, human, and other institutional resources.
Objective 4.E.1
Work with CLAS and OURS to promote the Annual Cell and Molecular
Biology Symposium; and CLAS and the Graduate School to promote the
Annual PSM Internship Presentations.
Baseline
currently no ongoing collaboration for these new events
Progress
2018 Status
Substantive Progress
We have publicized the symposia and internship presentations with flyers at GVSU, discussion on the GVSU public radio station, as well as through CLAS and the Graduate School.
2017 Status
Substantial Progress
We have made progress in promoting the Annual Cell and Molecular Biology Symposium and the Annual PSM Internship Presentations.
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