Effective July 1, the Georgia Tech College of Sciences has a new unit focused on the life sciences — the School of Biological Sciences.

The new school emerged from a reorganization of the former Schools of Applied Physiology and of Biology. The reorganization was motivated by the College’s strategic goals to enhance the research ecosystem for the basic sciences and mathematics, enrich and diversify educational opportunities for science and mathematics majors, and strengthen the opportunities for creativity and innovation by the College.

“The life sciences are an exciting and fast-moving field, and the issues it addresses are varied but interconnected,” said Rafael L. Bras, provost and executive vice president for Academic Affairs. “The new School of Biological Sciences brings together individuals that span the various aspects of living systems and their study. It will add synergies and create a resilient, flexible, and fast-responding academic unit in a fast-moving field.” 

J. Todd Streelman, associate chair for Graduate Studies in the School of Biology, will serve as chair of the new School beginning August 15. Terry W. Snell, professor and chair for the School of Biology, will serve as chair in an interim role until then.

“I am thrilled to be named chair on behalf of my colleagues in the School of Biological Sciences,” Streelman said. “I am excited to continue progress made under Richard [Nichols] and Terry [Snell] to both sustain and propel innovative research and teaching in the life sciences.”

The new school comprises 10 tenure-track faculty, three academic professionals, and four staff members from Applied Physiology as well as 38 tenure-track faculty, six academic professionals, and 18 staff members from Biology. The School of Biological Sciences will administer all the academic programs offered previously by the two schools it replaces. 

 “The life sciences, including neural systems, are destined to grow and become even more central as we define our research and education programs for the new millennium,” said Paul M. Goldbart, dean of the College of Sciences. “I am grateful to the many members of our community who have stepped up to create a stronger, more coherent base from which to take on exciting challenges presented by the life sciences.”

The other academic schools in the College of Sciences include Chemistry and Biochemistry, Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, Mathematics, Physics, and Psychology.