From the Dean

Education at a Public Research University

Most people know that the University of Minnesota is a public research university, which sets it apart from state colleges and private liberal arts colleges. But what does that really mean?

At face value, it means our that our faculty brings in $500 million a year in federal research grants to carry out research on human health, the environment, renewable energy, and food, among other areas. They also contribute intellectual property and train a highly skilled and creative workforce for industries such as health care, agribusiness, and biotechnology. The University's research enterprise is the fuel that powers the state's economy.

It also means that we provide a different set of educational opportunities, particularly for students interested in the sciences. They take classes from faculty who conduct federally sponsored research and write textbooks. They work with real scientists in real labs on research that addresses problems such as cancer and diabetes, global warming, and dependence on foreign oil. These opportunities are not typically available at MnSCU and private colleges.

When Nobel Laureate and alumnus Ed Lewis (B.S. '39) passed away in July, I was reminded that undergraduate research has a long tradition at the University of Minnesota. Lewis came here from Pennsylvania as an undergraduate to do research on fruit fly genetics with Professor Clarence Oliver, a former student of genetics pioneer Thomas Hunt Morgan. Oliver provided space for Lewis in his own laboratory and freedom to conduct research outside of his scheduled classes. Lewis said his experience at the U was pivotal to his development as a scientist.

Today, the National Research Council recommends that undergraduate students begin research as early as possible in their education. And as we undergo a review of our own curriculum we are stressing the value of learning by doing. You can read more about this in our cover story, "The Evolution of Biology Education," which begins on page 9.

I particularly enjoyed reading a student's perspective on biology education from recent CBS graduate Chuck Hernick (B.S. Ecology, Evolution, and Behavior, 2003.) He says, "Science is a dynamic field. What you get from lectures and textbooks is history, which gives you the language to be a scientist. But science is problem solving. The only way you can really learn how to be a scientist is by doing research. Most of what I know about biology I learned from working in a research lab."

That's another thing that distinguishes a large, public research university: the quality of our students. The educational opportunities we provide bring the best and brightest students to our doorstep. It's a privilege to welcome these talented young people and to guide their transformation into scientists.