The Department of Biology aims to be a national leader among high research activity universities transforming education and fostering the success of students from diverse backgrounds. Our goal is to create a nurturing and inclusive environment where students feel a strong sense of belonging while achieving academic excellence in a timely manner. We are dedicated to best practices in student success which requires an internationally recognized research program for student involvement, and we engage undergraduate and graduate students in a comprehensive “life design” approach that integrates their academic pursuits, extracurricular activities, and career aspirations. By producing highly successful alumni who champion UNCG Biology, we will continue to attract a diverse student population and provide an exceptional educational experience.
Key Objectives
Transformative Education: Develop and execute a flexible and rigorous curriculum based on best practices in student success, with multiple pathways that empower first-time students to graduate in four years and transfer students to graduate in two years. Our curriculum will provide clarity from the beginning, helping students overcome personal and professional barriers to graduate on time with minimal debt and equipping them to pursue advanced degrees and professional careers at the highest rate in the nation.
Research Excellence: The Department of Biology will establish interdisciplinary research areas in four crossdisciplinarity areas of strength. By strategically aligning faculty hiring with research strengths, we will create a critical mass of talented researchers, secure larger grants, retain top faculty, and involve students directly in the research process.
Faculty and Staff Development: Cultivate diversity and inclusivity. We will recruit a diverse range of faculty and staff who excel in their respective fields and are deeply engaged in research and mentorship of undergraduate and graduate students. We will provide ongoing professional development to maximize their strengths and create an environment that values collaboration and minimizes weaknesses.
Areas of Strength on Which to Build
Research Foci on Human Health, Environmental Health, Biodiversity and Global Change: Through externally funded cutting-edge research, education, and community outreach, our world-renowned research faculty generate opportunities for students at all levels to create new knowledge by addressing contemporary scientific issues that impact human, animal, plant, and microbial communities and ecosystems regionally, nationally, and globally. Our faculty’s success in leading UNCG in external funding from prestigious institutions (including NIH, NSF, USDA) and their commitment to excellence in teaching and research addresses the impact of changing environments on human and environmental health and prepare students for careers in contemporary and emerging industries in North Carolina and nationally. The UNCG internationally recognized Plant and Pollinator Center on Gateway North Campus serves as the cornerstone of research, community outreach, and industry partnerships.
Undergraduate Student Success: Faculty lead research on innovative undergraduate curricula and produced our nationally recognized Courses in Undergraduate Research (CURE) curriculum that scaffolds undergraduate research experiences at all levels. Every single Biology graduate conduct hand-on authentic research in a classroom setting, while an impressive number go on to conduct research in faculty members’ lab. Additionally, our robust pre-professional advising program for undergraduate degree seekers has among the top graduate placement rates in the country, ensuring successful transition into professional programs.
Plans for Achievement
Build Faculty Strength: Recruit and retain the following faculty that build on current core of 17 TT and 19 PTF faculty to meet our student demands of nearly 20,000 SCH, 1100 Majors, and 40+ Ph.D. and M.S. students.
- 10 NEW tenure-track faculty in each area of research strength with an average of two graduate students each and external grant supported postdoctoral research scientists and technicians (27 total TT Faculty). Faculty will meet critical needs to build our graduate curriculum for Ph.D., M.S. thesis tracks, the non-thesis M.S. track, and the accelerated M.S. track. Tenure track faculty will also teach 300 and 400 level core courses where they will have highest impact on student undergraduate success. TT faculty will also host undergraduate research students, a practice research shows is a high impact practice for student retention, graduation, and career building. Replacements of all retiring/resigning faculty.
- 8 CONTINUING Ph.D. level lecturers will have expertise in science pedagogy focused on student success at the 100 and 200 levels where there.
- 5 – 8 Continuing PhD or MS level lecturers to teach in laboratory sections.
- 1 CONTINUING Academic Professional will have primary responsibility of student advising and curriculum support.
Curriculum Development: Over the next 6 months, clear guidelines and support systems will be established to address individual challenges and ensure student success. We will place an Academic Professional Assistant Professor at the forefront of a new advising program. We will initiate visionary changes to plan for meeting longer term student success.
Faculty Training: Within 1-2 years, all faculty will receive comprehensive training to meet the unique needs of the current student generation, using research-based approaches to foster a sense of belonging, empathy, and inclusivity in classrooms and research labs. We will integrate professional development training into our workload and annual reporting structures.
Industry and Alumni Engagement: Over the next 1-3 years, we will actively collaborate with industry partners, professional education institutions, and alumni to contribute to real-world learning opportunities and expand post-graduation career prospects for our students, expanding internships and research opportunities.
Commitment of the Department
Appoint visionary leaders to our undergraduate and graduate committees. They will form working committees with outcome-driven goals to design and implement educational transformations with outcome-driven goals by actively participating in scholarly endeavors within their respective roles and seek knowledge from national and international leaders in their fields.
Enhance its award-winning curriculum assessment program. We will design outcome-driven and transparent assessments to measure the impact of our curriculum on student learning, modifying effectively as student populations change. Results will be shared at conferences and in academic literature.
Establish a robust and transparent assessment process to evaluate faculty success in research and other scholarly contributions and advocate/provide the support they need for continued success.
Prioritize diversity in hiring practices. We are committed to strengthening our faculty’s diversity based on student needs and the assessment conducted. This commitment will be both immediate and long-term.
