Biology is in the midst of a phenomenal era of growth. Discoveries being made now have the potential to resolve some of society’s most critical problems – deadly diseases, global population growth, petroleum dependency, pollution, and global warming. Applying this knowledge also has enormous economic potential.
Recognizing these opportunities, the University designated biology as a top priority. Many other states are investing billions of dollars in biology research and education at public universities. If Minnesota reduces its commitment to biology now and fails to make future investments, Minnesotans will be on the sidelines during this phenomenal era of growth and development and will not realize its many benefits.
Biological sciences alumni work in the state’s agribusiness, biotechnology, health care and medical products industries, in education, and for government agencies, among other fields.
4,075 CBS alumni work in Minnesota.
Alumni employers include 3M, Cargill, Cargill-Dow, Medtronic, Mayo Clinic, R&D Systems, Surmodics, small biotech companies, K-12 schools, and the State.
There are 1300 undergraduate students and 270 graduate students enrolled in biology degree programs this year. Many will join Minnesota’s workforce.
CBS conducts research that improves the state’s economic health and Minnesotans’ quality of life.
Faculty research spans molecules to ecosystems. Applications include disease studies, drug development, creating raw materials from renewable resources (biocatalysis), improving crop plants, managing ecosystems, and finding innovative ways to clean up the environment (bioremediation).
Faculty receive nearly $15 million per year in research funding, which creates 570 jobs for Minnesotans.
Over the past five years, faculty received 29 patents for new technologies, launched seven new companies, completed 30 product licenses, and earned $1.4 million for the University of Minnesota.
CBS supports the growth of biotechnology industry in Minnesota.
Biodale, CBS’ shopping mall for biotech research services, supported approximately 70 Minnesota companies and other external customers last year.
Customers included 3M, Cargill, Cargill-Dow, Medtronic, General Mills, R&D Systems, Surmodics, Diasorin, Dorsey & Whitney, the Mayo Clinic, Aspen Labs, the Minnesota Science Museum and the Minnesota Zoo. Biodale also serves many start-up biotech companies.
In addition to offering a wide array of biotech services, Biodale gives clients access to specialized equipment and problem-solving expertise.
The Biotechnology Institute provides critical services and support for small and large companies engaged in scale-up and development efforts to further the growth of the biotechnology business base in Minnesota.
Last year CBS was awarded a $1.7 million grant from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute to recruit science teachers for Greater Minnesota schools and provide professional development for current teachers. CBS administers the popular Monarchs in the Classroom program, which introduces children throughout Minnesota to insect biology and the scientific method.
In conjunction with the Science Museum of Minnesota, CBS offers the Bioinvestigators summer program, which introduces 4th - 6th graders to hands-on biology in CBS instructional labs.
CBS has offered Investigative Plant Biology to elementary school teachers every summer for the past 12 years
The College of Biological Sciences gets $10,466,110 of its annual budget of $35,046,836 from the State. Other revenue sources are research funding, tuition and fees, indirect cost recovery, gifts* and endowment income.
2001-2002 included a $6 million Fellowship endowment from 3M.
