GRADUATE PROGRAM REVIEW
DEPARTMENT OF BIOLOGY AND MARINE BIOLOGY
2008 - 2014
1. GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS AND HISTORY
a. DEPARTMENTAL MISSION STATEMENT
The Department of Biology and Marine Biology is a major contributor to the teaching, research,
and public service missions of the University of North Carolina Wilmington. We offer a variety of
undergraduate and graduate programs that convey a rigorous and up-to-date understanding of the concepts,
principles and theories of the biological sciences and provide our students with knowledge of basic
investigative skills and methods of biological inquiry. In our research function, we contribute new insights
to fundamental biological processes, from general biological principles, to coastal and marine
environments, to biomedical sciences. Where possible, we focus on biological phenomena that impact on
the quality of life in our region and the nation. In our public service roles we lend our professional
expertise to individuals and organizations working for the improvement of the human condition, especially
those agencies committed to the environment.
In a liberal arts education Biology is of fundamental importance. It provides the student with an
understanding of living systems from the level of the ecosystem down to the molecule. For both majors and
non-majors the study of biology encourages exploration of personal as well as professional interests. We
recognize that our biology classes are particularly important for our non-majors; in their classes we
emphasize the biological understanding needed to function successfully as consumers, citizens, and parents
in the 21st century.
b. DESCRIPTION OF GRADUATE EDUCATION AND DATES OF NEW PROGRAMS
Graduate education and training in the department began with the establishment of the M.S. in
Marine Biology program in 1980. The M.S. in Biology program was instituted in 1989. Since the
inception of these programs, we have graduated 440 Master’s students.
In fall 2002, we established the Ph.D. in Marine Biology, which was the first doctoral program at
UNCW. In spring 2006, Dr. David Meyer graduated as UNCW’s first Ph.D. student. Since then, 1 7 more
students have graduated from this program.
c. SIGNIFICANT ADDITIONS TO THE FACULTY
Since the last graduate program review (2007), 20 tenure-track faculty members have left the
department (8 to retirement, 6 to another job, and 6 for other reasons). During the same period we have
hired 1 2 new tenure-track faculty members and 9 non-tenure-track faculty members, and we are searching
for 3 additional tenure-track positions during the 2014-15 academic year. The losses highlight a growing
problem of faculty retention due largely to issues related to low and stagnant salaries and increasing
workload. As is the case nationally, we also are shifting toward fewer tenure-track hires and more shorter-
term contracted lecturers. This trend will aid our capacity to teach our undergraduate students and is a cost
savings to the university, but the net loss of tenure-track faculty may cause long term harm to our graduate
programs as they are responsible for conducting research, applying for grants, and mentoring graduate
students.
d. MAJOR CHANGES IN THE ORIENTATION OF THE ACADEMIC PROGRAM
Our department regularly reviews both its undergraduate and graduate programs to ensure that our
curricula best serve the needs of our students. A major addition to our program since the last review
period is the institution of a formal assessment program, as detailed in Sections 7.g. and 7.h. The
assessment program has demonstrated that our program is highly effective at meeting our stated learning