CBS at a glance
The College of Biological Sciences (CBS) is the hub of a university-wide network of life sciences departments formed by a 1999 reorganization led by CBS Dean Robert Elde to strengthen research and education programs. They include:
- The Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology and Biophysics and the Department of Genetics, Cell Biology and Development, which are shared with the Medical School.
- The Department of Plant Biology, which is shared with the College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences (CFANS).
- The Department of Ecology, Evolution and Behavior, which remains exclusive to College of Biological Sciences with close ties to CFANS, which administers the Bell Museum of Natural History.
- The Department of Neuroscience and the Department of Microbiology - both part of the Medical School - which are affiliated with the College of Biological Sciences.
This basic science structure supports new ways to address critical issues related to human health, the environment, agriculture and renewable energy.
Other key components of CBS
- The BioTechnology Institute, which is a joint effort of CBS and the College of Science and Engineering. BTI provides research support services and training programs for biotechnology companies in Minnesota and around the world.
- The Biology Program, which provides introductory biology courses for majors and non-majors.
- Cedar Creek Ecosystem Science Reserve, a field station located 30 miles north of Minneapolis is noted for research on environmental issues. Cedar Creek also offers outreach programs for K-12 students.
- Itasca Biological Station and Laboratories, a field station located near the headwaters of the Mississippi that supports a variety of education and research programs. Nature of Life, the CBS signature program for freshmen, is held at Itasca.
What's special about CBS?
- As a small college within a large, public research university, CBS can offer the best of both worlds - a sense of community plus the opportunity to gain experience doing real research in a faculty laboratory.
- Our students are among the most qualified at the University of Minnesota. The average freshman entering in fall 2010 was in the top four percent of his or her high school class and scored 29 on the ACT.
- Our faculty publish high impact research in journals such as Science, Nature, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences and the Public Library of Science (PloS) journals.
