Date: November 27, 2006

To: Academic Affairs Committee

From: Denise Wilson, Chair, Graduate Curriculum Committee

Sandra Groves, Director of Graduate Studies

RE: Executive Summary – Ph.D. Sequence in Molecular and Cellular Biology

The Sequence in Molecular and Cellular Biology would be available for the Ph.D. program in Biological Sciences. Currently there is one other approved doctoral sequence (Behavior, Ecology, Evolution and Systematics). The framework of a sequence will formalize the preparation in cell and molecular biology that will assist the student’s marketability. Another anticipated outcome is that the explicit identification of this specialization will serve as a good recruitment tool to attract outstanding students in an area where there is faculty strength.

All of the courses in the sequence have been regularly offered.