BSGP - Final APR Action Plan.pdf

departmentally-based efforts could facilitate a
thoughtful programmatic solution.
4 Establish a long-range plan for defining the
optimum size and expansion of the program
commensurate with faculty size and funded
research programs. This planning will require
careful consideration of important fiscal
constraints associated with student recruitment
and 1 st year stipend support, as well as
mechanisms to sustain matriculated students if
research funding is lost
The Curriculum
1 A process for the regular review/revision of the
entire BSGP curriculum is essential. The
external reviewers suggest establishment of a
Curriculum Subcommittee consisting of
members from the 6 academic BSGP research
divisions and the extramural partners (LRRI and
LANL). This subcommittee should be charged
with performing regular reviews of the core
courses and selectives to ensure that these
offerings are meeting the needs of BSGP
students. In this process, involvement and/or
input of students from each of the BSGP
research divisions is critical. Recommendations
from the Subcommittee would then provide a
basis for further consideration by the BSGP
Steering Committee.
2 The manner in which the qualifying and
comprehensive exams are administered should
be carefully reviewed to ensure that all
committees incorporate rigor in both
examinations. Steps should be taken to ensure
that the format of the comprehensive
The SOM engaged in a strategic planning process
approximately 4 years ago in which it was decided
that the focus of the BSGP should be on recruitment
and improving the quality of our students (currently,
14-20 new PhD students per year). Additional funds
were committed to recruitment and enhancing BSGP
staff. At that time, it was agreed that the class size
should be examined in a second phase. As a result,
we will engage in a process in 2008 that will give
careful consideration to appropriately sizing the BSGP
class in relation to the research enterprise. This
process will be started by an ad hoc committee
established by the Sr. Associate Dean for Research in
consultation with the Assistant Dean for Graduate
Studies. After feedback from our Research Strategic
Planning Committee, the plan will be presented to the
Dean of the SOM for consideration.
A faculty subcommittee consisting of BSGP Steering
Committee members, BSGP course directors and the
Assistant Dean of Graduate Studies has been
established to address two issues: a) establish a
process for regular curriculum review and
incorporation of new courses; b) identify the key
curricular needs. The directors of a MS in Clinical
Research and of an interdisciplinary, NSF-funded
IGERT program have also been asked to provide
input. Student input will be solicited through small
focus groups.
The qualifying exam has been carefully reviewed.
Revised guidelines for student evaluation were
implemented with the May 2007 exam and positively
received by examiners and students. The exam
process and guidelines have been clearly articulated in
written form and together with the evaluation form are
Drs. Larson
and
Wandinger-
Ness
Drs.
Hathaway,
Ness,
Partridge,
Oliver,
Wandinger-
Ness, BSGSS
appointees
Qualifying
Exam Chair
(TBA) and
Program
Director
(AWN)
Negotiations
for
departmental
scholars for the
following Fall
term should
begin in
January and
MOUs should
be in place by
January 31
each year.
Completed Bi-
Annually, first
review/revision
to be
completed by
Spring 2008
Complete
(with the
exception of
identifying a
Qualifying
Exam Chair)
BSGP Action Plan in Response to APR – Meeting with BSGP and Provost’s Office to be held Tuesday, September 18, 2007 in Scholes Hall 246, 9:30-11:30am 2