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NC
State University has become the first in the Research Triangle to
offer master’s and doctoral degrees in genomic sciences—and
is one of the first in the nation to focus on genomics from the perspectives
of statistics, computer sciences, forest resources, agriculture, life
sciences and veterinary medicine. A comprehensive slate of new genomic
sciences degree programs, fellowships and training programs is giving
NC State students the right stuff to meet the demand for scientists
in the genomic sciences era.
The university has been awarded more than $4 million in the past two
years from government agencies and the UNC Office of the President
to support graduate students pursuing degrees in functional genomics
and bioinformatics. The funding supports 49 fellowships for graduate
students per year. “This is a very special and important aspect
of biotechnology teaching at NC State,” says Dr. Barbara Sherry,
professor of virology in the College of Veterinary Medicine and director
of the Genomic Studies Graduate Program. “The new programs span
multiple departments, offering students opportunities to cross traditional
boundaries to learn more about the many interdependent areas within
functional genomics and
bioinformatics.”
Rounding out the choice of graduate degree programs in genomic sciences
is the Biotechnology Training Program, funded by the National Institutes
of Health with matching funds from the university. This program is
offered to any Ph.D. student, regardless of major, to enhance research
and training experience in biotechnology beyond the exposure provided
by his or her doctoral programs. Trainees complete courses for a minor
in biotechnology, attend professional development seminars and symposia,
serve an industry
internship for at least one month, and complete a service project
involving K-12 biotechnology education.
In addition to the graduate programs, a new university-wide undergraduate
minor in biotechnology has been developed for NC State students. A
fully renovated Biotechnology Teaching Facility opened its doors in
Jordan Hall this semester. The new teaching lab provides a state-of-the-art
learning environment complete with a DNA sequencer, a genomics workstation,
a computer laboratory, and individual laboratory stations for up to
40 students at a time.
A key part of both graduate and undergraduate genomics programs is
a required ethics course designed to promote critical thinking about
the complex ethical and social issues accompanying work with genetically
modified organisms. The NC State Graduate School received National
Science Foundation funding in 1999 to implement a research ethics
program including instructional modules, Web
information, lectures by exemplary researchers, biennial institutes
for faculty, a Research Ethics Fellows program and formal seminars.
For
more information, please visit http://www.ncsu.edu/biotechnology
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