Ecosystem Genomics
Certificate and Minor Programs Established 2022
Ecosystem Genomics is an emergent, interdisciplinary area of study that integrates across biotic systems "from genes to ecosystems", with the aim of solving grand challenges in sustainability and innovation in a rapidly changing world. By bringing together ecosystem- and genomic sciences in a framework that connects ecology, sustainability, data science, and applications, ecosystem genomics students have the potential to flourish in diverse careers in industry, government, academia, and non-profit sectors.
The ultimate aim of the Ecosystem Genomics GIDP is to foster a diverse new generation of transdisciplinary scientists to address the challenges of sustaining natural and managed ecosystems on which humans depend, including wildlands, agricultural systems, forests, arid lands, and marine environments. The coursework supported by this minor will help students think across scales as they develop skills in ecosystem science, genomics, interdisciplinarity, scientific communication, and collaboration. At is core the minor will foster and extend students’ excellence in areas such as data science, microbiology, plant sciences, insect science, environmental science, atmospheric science, biosystems engineering, ecology and evolutionary biology, geography, and information science, and it is intended to attract students majoring in these UArizona programs. We seek students who want to translate ideas into meaningful scientific advances while cultivating deep and broad skill sets to solve grand challenges relevant to regional, national, and international issues in sustainability and innovation.
Program Contacts
Betsy Arnold, Ph.D.
Chair
arnold@ag.arizona.edu
Bonnie Hurwitz, Ph.D.
Vice Chair
bhurwitz@arizona.edu
Heather Ingram
Program Coordinator
hci@arizona.edu
Program Address
Ecosystem Genomics
The University of Arizona
BIO5 Institute
1657 East Helen Street
P.O. Box 210240
Tucson, AZ 85721
Phone: (520) 626-4272
A. Elizabeth (Betsy) Arnold, Chair
School of Plant Sciences
David Baltrus
School of Plant Sciences
Albert Barberan
Environmental Science
Judie Bronstein
Ecology & Evolutionary Ecology
Winslow Burleson
School of Information
Paul Carini
Environmental Science
Yves Carriere
Entomology
Andrew Comrie
School of Geography, Development & the Environment
Jennifer Croissant
Gender & Women's Studies
Katrina Dlugosch
Ecology & Evolutionary Biology
Regis Ferriere, Executive Committee
Ecology & Evolutionary Biology
Rachel Gallery
School of Natural Resources & the Environment
Bonnie Hurwitz, Vice Chair
Biosystems Engineering
Erin Leahey
Sociology
Luciano Matzkin, Executive Committee
Entomology
Laura Meredith
Ecosystem Genomics
W. Duke Pauli
School of Plant Sciences
Scott Saleska, Executive Committee
Ecology & Evolutionary Biology
Yang Song
Hydrology & Atmospheric Sciences
Malak Tfaily
Environmental Science
Jana U'Ren
Biosystems Engineering
Rod Wing
School of Plant Sciences
COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE & LIFE SCIENCES
- Biosystems Engineering
- Entomology
- Environmental Science
- Natural Resources & the Environment
- School of Plant Sciences
Ecosystem Genomics Program Bylaws
Graduate Interdisciplinary Program in Ecosystem Genomics (ECGN GIDP) Bylaws
April 2022
The Graduate Interdisciplinary Program in Ecosystem Genomics offers a PhD minor and graduate certificate in the emerging interdisciplinary science of Ecosystem Genomics. This GIDP represents a portion of the training program initiated through the National Science Foundation-supported NRT: Building Resources for InterDisciplinary Training in Genomics and Ecosystem Sciences (BRIDGES) program.
In the following Articles and Bylaws, operating procedures, and policies of the Program are outlined.
I. Reporting Structure
The Chair of the Ecosystem Genomics GIDP reports to the Dean of the Graduate College, through the Faculty Director of Graduate Interdisciplinary Programs.
II. Membership
Membership in the Ecosystem Genomics GIDP is open to faculty at the University of Arizona who are willing to make a commitment to the GIDP. This commitment should be expressed through participation in developing and maintaining the GIDP, teaching courses, advising students, and supporting the programmatic activities of the GIDP. Both tenured or tenure-eligible faculty and untenured or non-tenure-eligible faculty may hold memberships.
Criteria for membership are (1) commitment to interdisciplinary approaches to ecosystem science, genomic sciences, and related fields, and (2) commitment to activity and excellence in research or Extension as demonstrated by research funding, publication record, and service as advisor or coadvisor to students in these fields or affiliated social sciences.
Members of the Graduate Interdisciplinary Program will be reviewed periodically by the Executive Committee to ensure that they continue to meet these standards.
Membership can be proposed by faculty candidates themselves or through nomination by a currently affiliated faculty member of the Program. Consideration of candidacy is initiated by submission of curriculum vitae and a letter of commitment to the Executive Committee. Requests will be reviewed in fall each year. If the Executive Committee votes to recommend membership, a request is then submitted to the Director of Graduate Interdisciplinary Programs for approval and appointment.
The Ecosystem Genomics GIDP defers to the policies outlined for graduate faculty: https://grad.arizona.edu/policies/academic-policies/graduate-faculty-policy(link is external)
The members of the Ecosystem Genomics GIDP will meet at least once a year to review the state of the program.
III. Executive Committee (EC) and Chair
The Ecosystem Genomics GIDP is administered by a Chair, Vice-Chair and Executive Committee (EC) consisting of at least five members. The Executive Committee will be made up of faculty members from at least two colleges and at least three academic units, ideally with members from all participating colleges.
The Chair is appointed for a renewable three-year term and EC members are appointed for renewable one, two, or three-year terms. The Chair, Vice-Chair, and EC members will be chosen by vote by participating faculty that hold regular memberships. Nominations from participating faculty for both the Chair and Vice-Chair positions will be received by the EC. A faculty member may run for one or both positions. Fifty-one percent of the members will constitute a quorum. Majority vote of those present at a meeting or 51% return of the ballots will rule.
The roster of elected members will be forwarded to the Director of Interdisciplinary Graduate Programs for approval and appointment.
A) The responsibilities of the Executive Committee are to:
- Devise and implement procedures to be followed in selecting and reviewing members of the Ecosystem Genomics GIDP;
- Devise and implement appropriate policies and procedure for the operation of the graduate program, such as admissions, curriculum, student supervision, completion of degree program requirements, and decisions regarding program resources;
- Appoint GIDP faculty members to serve on the GIDP’s one standing committee: the Graduate student Admissions and Progress Committee (GS-APC); see Article IV;
- Appoint other ad hoc committees as needed for effective operation;
- Act on recommendations of the GS-APC regarding academic counsel to new students and evaluations of students at various stages of progress through the program;
- Prepare and submit annual reports of the program’s activities and accomplishments to the Director of Graduate Interdisciplinary Programs;
- Ensure that regular academic program reviews, consistent with the Board of Regents requirements, are carried out;
- Facilitate interaction and communication within the program with supporting academic units heads and deans;
- Seek funding from appropriate University, state, federal and private sources;
- Solicit nominations to fill vacated slot(s) on the Executive Committee, with an aim to ensure continuity over time; and,
- Move, consider and approve (by majority vote) all proposals to change the requirements for the minor and certificate.
B) The responsibilities of the Chair and Vice-Chair of the Executive Committee (and the GIDP) are to:
- Administer the Program and EC activities with the assistance of the program coordinator;
- Convene and chair meetings of the EC as needed, not less than once per semester;
- Act on behalf of the EC and the GIDP to implement policies of the Program;
- Serve as representative of the Program to the University Administration, granting agencies, prospective students, etc.;
- Prepare and submit an annual report of activities and accomplishments of the Program according to University regulations;
- Provide advice to students in the Program;
- Act as Director of Graduate Studies (DGS) for the Program (Chair).
The GIDP’s Program Coordinator works closely with the Chair and Vice-Chair as well as the students, faculty, EC and standing committees to ensure timely fulfillment of the policies of UArizona and GIDP, as well as the flow of the information among all concerned.
IV. Standing Committees
In addition to the EC, the Graduate student Admissions and Progress Committee (GS-APC) carries important responsibilities for the operation and welfare of the Program:
- It is responsible for evaluating applications from prospective graduate students who are applying to Masters and Ph.D. programs in GIDP-affiliated majors and units at the University of Arizona with an interest in the ECGN GIDP.
- It advises the EC with the respect to publicizing the program.
- With external and internal evaluations it solicits and reviews evaluations and progress reports from students.
- It advises the EC regarding the Program policies and procedures as well as revisions of the Program Handbook. Student input will be encouraged.
V. Amendments
The Bylaws shall be amended or revised by the movement of the EC and a two-thirds positive vote by the regular membership of the Program. Bylaws also are reviewed and approved by the GIDP Faculty Director and Dean of the Graduate College.
Last Updated & Approved: April 2022