UNIVERSITY NEWS - JANUARY 2004

MEDIA CONTACT: Kevin Petrovsky

561-297-0007, kpetrovs@fau.edu

FAU ANNOUNCES NEW

GRADUATE PROGRAM IN BIOMEDICAL SCIENCE

Boca Raton, FL (January 22, 2004) - The Florida Atlantic University Board of Trustees approved this week the creation of a new Master of Science degree in Biomedical Science. This program will be housed in the Charles E. Schmidt College of Science and will begin accepting students immediately.

The 30-credit hour, professional masters degree program, is designed to prepare students for careers in the biomedical science fields. Students may select two tracks. A thesis track will prepare students for employment in biomedical and biotechnology research, serving as technicians and research associates. Since they will be required to complete a thesis, the students will have received extensive, practical laboratory experience in areas such as cardiovascular, neurology, immunology, genomics and cancer research. Students selecting the non-thesis track will enhance their qualifications and preparation for continued study in medical, veterinary or other professional schools.

Unique in the state of Florida, this program will take an integrated approach to biomedical study, incorporating proteomics, genetics, cellular and molecular sciences. “This is the end product of the assembly of an outstanding group of new faculty, from around the country and around the world, within the Biomedical Science department,” said Dr. Robert Blanks, the department’s director of Graduate and Continuing Education. “Their diverse backgrounds and areas of expertise will allow us to attract top graduate students from around the country. This is very exciting.”

FAU’s advances in biomedical and biotechnology research have attracted partners from the University of Miami School of Medicine, Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute and the Scripps Research Institute, as well as $10 million in state funding for the Center of Excellence in Biomedical and Marine Biotechnology. The growing biotech industry in South Florida will require a highly skilled and trained workforce. This new program will help meet the growing demand. For more information on the program, contact the Biomedical Science department at 561-297-2216 or on the web at www.science.fau.edu.
- FAU -