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Department of Biology

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Strategic plan

As part of a public university in the dynamic urban setting of Philadelphia, Temple Biology hosts an internationally renowned community who strive to improve disparities in learning, healthcare, and the environment through inclusive education and cutting-edge research. Students and scholars choose Temple Biology for the wide variety of innovative programs and research opportunities that prepare our graduates to achieve their goals and allow researchers to excel in their fields.

This plan was created in 2021 by the entire Department of Biology (faculty, staff, graduate and undergraduate students) who contributed to the process through brainstorming, condensing, and ranking ideas followed by drafting of the plan in four committees: Vision and Mission, Research, Teaching, and Service, and revision following a Department-wide comment period.

Vision Statement

We envision a Department that serves as a model of innovative training and the co-creation of knowledge that will uplift a diverse community of scholars as they work towards a successful scientific future. Our vision is of a center of research excellence that continues to address critical challenges to our city, our region, and our global society.

Mission Statement

Our mission is to contribute fundamental and applied insights into biological systems from the molecule to the biome through trans-disciplinary approaches. Temple Biology supports our diverse student body by providing advanced training in the biological sciences and pathways to traditional and non-traditional careers.

DEPARTMENTAL RESEARCH GOALS 

Temple’s Department of Biology is host to world-renowned researchers in the Life Sciences who take pride in integrating research, teaching, and service to build an exceptional community of research scholars in this “Century of Biology.” Our Department faces many challenges in an increasingly competitive environment, but with a renewed focus on our research, we will work towards our goals to augment our research portfolio and broaden our impact.

  1. Build on our existing strengths through targeted faculty hires. 
  2. Increase research support. 
  3. Improve mentorship and leadership development. 
  4. Integrate research into the undergraduate experience. 
DEPARTMENTAL TEACHING GOALS

Temple University’s Department of Biology offers outstanding educational experiences to undergraduate and graduate students by providing comprehensive and diverse curricula with underlying global perspectives. In order to further this pursuit of teaching excellence, the following goals will be addressed.

  1. Deliver highly competitive academic programs. 
  2. Increase faculty to student ratio.
  3. Employ cutting-edge pedagogy. 
  4. Graduate marketable students. 
  5. Invest in teaching staff support. 
  6. Develop new areas of instruction.
DEPARTMENTAL SERVICE GOALS

Biologists represent a diverse community of scholars who bridge disciplines, switch between theory and application, and inspire from STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) to STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics). Our Department is well positioned to present Biology as a dynamic, innovative, and exciting field of inquiry to the greater Philadelphia region and beyond. In order to develop engaged citizenship and project sustained leadership in Service we have identified a series of goals.

  1. Build, foster, and promote community within the Biology department. 
  2. Engage with departments and colleges across the university. 
  3. Improve connections with Department of Biology alumni. 
  4. Develop new partnerships in the greater Philadelphia region.