GOAL 3. SUPPORT INTERDISCIPLINARY RESEARCH AND TEACHING.

Objective

Develop collaborative opportunities in interdisciplinary theme areas.

The College has identified interdisciplinary areas of research opportunities that fit with the urban research mission of the University and build on existing strengths of the College: biotechnology/bioinformatics, cognitive studies, community-based studies, education, health-related studies, and social inequality and change. Faculty seminars on these topics will be held over the course of the 2003-2004 Academic Year to stimulate interaction among interested faculty. The three-year target for this objective is to have established groups of faculty collaborating in the theme areas. The five-year target is to have processes in place to continue identifying theme areas and bring interested faculty together.

Reduce institutional barriers to collaboration.

The College established the Barriers to Interdisciplinary Research and Teaching Committee in fall 2003. The committee has identified institutional barriers and made preliminary recommendations for overcoming the barriers and promoting interdisciplinary initiatives. The College will hold a faculty meeting in spring 2004 to discuss interdisciplinary themes and overcoming barriers.

Increase graduate study opportunities.

The College will submit a proposal for a Master's program in Bioinformatics. The program will be housed in the CAS Department of Interdisciplinary Studies. Bioinformatics is a research tool widely used at both St. Jude Research Hospital and UT Memphis. Both of these institutions are building units to support the research needs of their faculty, including bioinformatics support. With a Master's program in bioinformatics, the UofM will provide highly trained staff for these facilities.

The College is establishing a Social Sciences Ph.D. Committee to develop a plan for an interdisciplinary doctoral program. The three-year target for this objective is to submit a proposal to the Tennessee Board of Regents. The five-year target is to enroll the first student.