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The Crops For Health™ (CFH) program does not currently offer an advanced degree. However, we are in the process of formalizing a new integrative approach to graduate education through the development of a unique interdisciplinary training program. This program will train students to be uniquely productive in the emerging area of biomedical agriculture. The target date for starting the program is Fall of 2007. Our goal is that an advanced degree will be conferred by one of the program’s participating departments and fulfillment of CFH requirements will be noted on the graduate’s official university transcript.
Biomedical Agriculture: Biomedical Agriculture is a yet unrecognized field at the interface of agriculture and biomedical research. It is the interdisciplinary study of the processes relating to chronic disease development and the innovative solutions to biomedical problems only addressable with increased understanding of the human food supply and its improvement in a health context. The present dietary patterns of most Western cultures are leading to the development of chronic diseases such as obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, & cancer. The application of nutritional principles and interventions to these problems is essential but this approach is lacking in its understanding and integration of where the food comes from and how it can be improved to further benefit health and prevent disease. Currently, there is a dearth of information regarding what characteristics of plant food sources are really beneficial to overall health and particular disease processes. This deficit in knowledge will be addressed by students of Biomedical Agriculture.
Training: The training of students in this program is based on their substantive interaction with the Crops for Health faculty. The basic premise of the program is that there will be two kinds of people applying for advanced training: those interested in agriculture with a biomedical focus and those interested in biomedical science with an agricultural focus. Rather than seek to re-train each student to become equally well versed in both areas, the program will be unique in positioning students with dissimilar backgrounds but complementary research interests together to tackle complex research problems. In addition, each student will be co-mentored by one faculty mentor with biomedical expertise and one faculty member with agricultural expertise. This benefits both faculty and students by developing unique expertise and perspective which should lead to more successful ventures in seeking funding. Coursework, lab experience, and other student activities will emphasize the paired trainee and co-advisor system that is uniquely Crops for Health and a novel approach to developing a biomedical agriculture program.
Summary of Degree Emphasis:
Doctor of Philosophy: The doctoral degree will emphasize in-depth training in a particular research track, broad exposure to biomedical and plant improvement through course work, and a paired training environment with co-mentorship from faculty bridging the research area of the student. Additional training and exposure is obtained through a seminar series, web-based coursework involving other institutions, and a special problems in biomedical agriculture course emphasizing group discussion of pertinent literature. Seminar and the Special Problems in Biomedical Agriculture course are required of all students throughout their program of study.
Basic Course Requirements: (+28cr)
FN550, FN551 Advanced Nutritional Science (3cr, 3cr)
SC720 Advanced Plant Breeding (4cr)
SC740 Plant Molecular Genetics (3cr) or CM501 Advanced Cell Biology (4cr)
ST511,ST512 Design and Data Analysis for Researchers (4cr, 4cr)
* Pathophysiology of Chronic Diseases (3cr)
*Techniques in Biomedical Agriculture (2cr)
*Seminar in Biomedical Agriculture (1cr)
*Special Problems in Biomedical Agriculture (1cr)
*Note: Courses do not exist
Elective Tracks (example elective programs):
Chemical Analysis
C531,C532 Advanced Chemical Analysis (3cr, 3cr)
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C537 Electrochemical Methods (3cr)
or
C533 Chemical Separations (3cr)
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C539a-c Principles of NMR (3cr)
or
C530b,e Absorption-Emission Spectroscopy, Mass Spectrometry (2cr)
_________________________________
*Topics in Biomedical Chemical Analysis (3cr)
or
*Topics in Plant Chemical Analysis (3cr)
Plant Improvement
SC725 Quantitative Inheritance in Plant Breeding (3cr)
SC730 Topics in Plant Breeding and Genetics (1cr)
H575 Principles of Plant Germplasm Conservation (2cr)
H675 Plant Stress Physiology (3cr)
Preclinical Emphasis
FN700 Cellular Nutrition (2cr)
BC 563 Molecular Genetics (4cr)
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Cancer Emphasis
R580 Cancer Genetics (2cr)
R581 Cancer Biology (3cr)
*Cancer Prevention (3cr)
or
Cardiovascular Emphasis
BS 500 Mammalian Physiology (4cr)
BS620 Cardiovascular Physiology (3cr)
Clinical/Translational Emphasis
EX645 Epidemiology of Health and Physical Activity (3cr)
FN620 Advanced Community Nutrition (2cr)
FT578 Nutraceuticals (3cr)
FN640 Select Topics in Nutritional Epidemiology (2cr)
Master of Science degree: The M.S. degree is being designed to provide advanced training and critical thinking skills to well motivated students who hold a bachelors degree in a relevant field. The components are similar to the doctoral program but with emphasis on developing marketable skill sets that can be readily applied in industry. The program will include an internship with a major agricultural company, researching biomedical applications in agriculture.
Major Tracks:
Chemical Analysis
FN550, FN551 Advanced Nutritional Science (3cr, 3cr)
CM501 Advanced Cell Biology (4cr)
ST511 Design and Data Analysis for Researchers (4cr)
*Techniques in Biomedical Agriculture (2cr)
*Seminar in Biomedical Agriculture (1cr)
*Special Problems in Biomedical Agriculture (1cr)
C537 Electrochemical Methods (3cr)
or
C533 Chemical Separations (3cr)
_________________________________
C539a-c Principles of NMR (3cr)
or
C530b,e Absorption-Emission Spectroscopy, Mass Spectrometry (2cr)
Plant Improvement
SC720 Advanced Plant Breeding (4cr)
SC740 Plant Molecular Genetics (3cr) or
ST511 Design and Data Analysis for Researchers (4cr)
SC725 Quantitative Inheritance in Plant Breeding (3cr)
SC730 Topics in Plant Breeding and Genetics (1cr)
*Techniques in Biomedical Agriculture (2cr)
*Seminar in Biomedical Agriculture (1cr)
*Special Problems in Biomedical Agriculture (1cr)
The University ISP in Crops for Health for Students in AgEconomics, Restaurant and Resort Management,
Student Entrance Requirements:
Required Course Work:
General Chemistry(1yr), General Biology (1yr), Organic Chemistry(1yr), Calculus (1yr), Physics (1yr), Biochemistry(+1/2yr)
Physiology, Cell Biology, Genetics, Nutrition, and Agriculture courses are recommended depending on the research interests of the student
GRE scores, Undergraduate GPA >3.0 and three strong letters of recommendation
Previous Research Experience and a Personal Statement detailing reasons for seeking advanced study.
Above all else, the biomedical agriculture research program seeks highly motivated students who seek to make significant contributions to this emerging field while pursuing their studies and after graduation.
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