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INVESTIGATOR: Moss, E. M.

PERFORMING INSTITUTION:
ALABAMA A&M UNIVERSITY
4900 MERIDIAN STREET
NORMAL, ALABAMA 35762

ENHANCING AN INTEGRATIVE AG-BIOTECHNOLOGY INSTRUCTION PROGRAM AT AAMU

NON-TECHNICAL SUMMARY: According to 2016 Bureau of Labor Statistics, the employment of biological and especially well-trained bio-technicians is projected to grow 5 percent over the next decade. An Integrative Ag-biotechnology Instruction Program at Alabama A&M University (AAMU) will implement training of undergraduate (9) and graduate students (3) in the expanding field of biotechnology. The proposed effort will: 1.) Attract, retain and sustain freshmen and community college transfers in Ag-biotechnology and molecular biology; 2) Train graduate students in molecular biology techniques and principles to equip them for either research or industry careers and; 3) Promote faculty development for young faculty members active in biotechnology. The overall project and its components as proposed will have a rigorous project evaluation consisting of formative and summative evaluations focusing on assessing the effectiveness of the new Ag-centric biotechnology degree program, training effectiveness of undergraduate and graduate students and the success of various mentoring strategies proposed. The ultimate goal of academic institutions that participate in training for the STEM workforce is to provide education and training opportunities needed to prepare a diverse, well-qualified workforce that is able to lead in innovation and address the mission of industries and public agencies across the broad spectrum of societies and AAMU is in the forefront of this training

OBJECTIVES: The ultimate goal of academic institutions that participate in training for the STEM workforce is to provide education and training opportunities needed to prepare a diverse, well-qualified workforce that is able to lead in innovation and address the mission of industries and public agencies across the broad spectrum of societies. This proposed effort, with its increased awareness of biotechnological issues will reduce the national shortage of minorities in the sciences in general, but in particular, biological (exclusive of pre-med) and associated sciences thus building skilled, capable and stable societies. Under this overall goal we will have specific objectives as follows:Attract, retain and sustain freshmen and community colleges transfers in Ag-biotechnology and molecular biology.Train graduate students in sound molecular biology research to equip them for research and industry careers.To support faculty development for young faculty members active in the biotechnology instructional program.