University of Nebraska Board of Regents Board of Regents Meeting ...

(83), Chemistry Majors (29), Psychology Majors (37), Exercise Science (88), Business
Majors (21), Spanish (2), Math (1), Physics (1), Family Studies (2), Music (1), and UNK
Health Sciences (Respiratory Therapy Majors [10] and Radiography Major [108]). In
Biology over the last three academic years, on average there are 370 Biology majors
(Freshman through Senior) with an average of 28 degrees awarded per academic year. Of the
degrees awarded, approximately 8 students per academic year continue with post-graduate
education (M.S. or Ph.D.) not listed within the health sciences.
Employment and educational advancement opportunities for graduates
Economic development in the State of Nebraska has long been linked to Agriculture and light
manufacturing. More recent developments resulting from growth in Medicine, Energy,
Education, and Recreation have broadened that economic base. There is every expectation
that the Molecular Biology degree program will support that growth. Of particular interest
are the associations with the growth of:
Agriculture
Biology students have directly or indirectly (as inspiration for other students) participated in
investigations in food crop production, pest management, and agricultural pollution
resolution. In addition, research by Biology faculty on endangered species, such as the
Burying beetle, have directly impacted land and water use in the state of Nebraska. UNK
students graduating with a biology degree have entered the agricultural realm as either
farmers, sales representatives for fertilizer or agricultural products, or research technicians at
companies such as Monsanto.
Energy
Biology students at UNK have been investigating the genetics of Switchgrass as it may be
applied to fermentation and distillation as a source of ethanol as a fuel. Nebraska has the
potential to be a major energy producer. In fact, Dr. Paul Twigg is a collaborator on the US
Switchgrass genome project, in which undergraduate students participate in research.
Medicine
Fundamental research in Genetics and Cell Biology by UNK Biology students both deepens
and broadens our understanding of health issues as linked to UNK studies in Physiology
(e.g., recent studies on Diabetes), Microbiology (evolution of antibiotic resistance,
requirements for bacterial metabolism, etc.), Genetics (genetics underlying aging and the
characterization of a human gene that may be an anti-retroviral for HIV-1). Numerous
students at UNK have participated in these research area and have progressed to M.S., Ph.D.,
M.D., D.O., M.S. in Genetic Counseling, PharmD, and many other areas.
Recreation
In addition, there is a high probability of linking medicine to recreation as evidenced in the
potential for study of water born diseases and Zoonoses, and diseases affecting wildlife
populations. UNK has one of the only accredited Wildlife undergraduate degree programs in
the nation. All of these students must do a research project to graduate and some of these
students have started working with Biology faculty on research projects. The outcome is
graduation students pursuing careers in forensic wildlife areas.
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