Training Leaders for 21st Century Biotechnology: Joint GWU-MSU Educational Program

Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Tropical Medicine, The George Washington University Department of Molecular Biology, Lomonosov Moscow State University

GWUMSU

Strengths and Weaknesses of Biology Education at GWU and MSU GWU Strengths Weaknesses Comprehensive Insufficient emphasis lecture courses: on teaching students cell and molecular how to solve technical biology; suborga- problems in nismal and experimental work organismal biology; ecology and evolution MSU Strengths Weaknesses A 5-year program Lack of sufficient with early instruction on data specialization; presentation, detailed and manuscript and elaborate lecture grant preparation and laboratory courses; focus on basic principles of experimental approaches

Goals of the Program To provide students and faculty at MSU and GWU with an opportunity to visit the partner institution to improve language skills, learn about educational and research approaches, participate in seminars and research activities To develop a method to reduce identified deficiencies in biotechnology education and preparation of students as independent researchers in US and Russian universities To test this method on a limited number of GWU and MSU students participating in this Program

Activities in Three MSU undergraduate students visited GWU 2. Dr. Bukrinsky visited MSU: meeting students, describing the program and opportunities 3. Drs. Bukrinsky and Silver to participate in the Program Directors Meeting at in Moscow (June 2010). 4. Two GWU undergraduate students to visit MSU for 2 weeks this July: language course and biotechnology practicum