Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board Request for Consolidation of Low-Producing Programs

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1 Directions: Use this form to prepare a. Before submitting the request, review the specific criteria found in Coordinating Board Rules (TAC) Chapter 4, Subchapter R, Section NOTE: This form requires the signature of the Chief Academic Officer/Chief Instructional Officer of the institution certifying the accuracy of the information included. Submit the completed Request for Consolidation Low-Producing Program with the Institutional Response to Annual Report of Low-Producing Programs and any supporting materials via the THECB s Document Submission Portal ( Information: Contact the Division of Workforce, Academic Affairs, and Research at 52/ Administrative Information. Institution: University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio 2. Contact Person Provide contact information for the person who can answer specific questions about the programs being consolidated: Name: Title: Michael Gargano, Ed.D. Vice President for Academic, Faculty and Student Affairs gargano@uthscsa.edu Phone: THECB/AAR Updated //2

2 A consolidation requires at least one other program to be brought into an existing major as a concentration to create a single, effective and efficient degree program. A consolidated program should consist of: () a common set of courses consisting of at least 50 percent of the major coursework taken by all students in the program; and (2) a separate set of courses for the concentration(s)/track(s) consisting of fewer than 50 percent of the major coursework. Factors to consider in the decision to consolidate programs include, but are not limited to: No need for additional faculty or changes in existing faculty expertise. No additional funding needed for library acquisitions, facilities, or equipment. Changes result in no disadvantages to graduates of the consolidated program. Program Information Program(s) to be consolidated Degree Name(s) Program Name CIP Code Closure date PhD Medical Physics August, 20 Consolidated program Degree Minimum Existing Program or Name(s) Program Name CIP Code SCH Create Program?* PhD Radiological Existing * A consolidation of programs can result from either combining two or more existing programs into a program already on the institution s program inventory or combining two or more programs into a program not already on the institution s program inventory. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The UTHSCSA requests the consolidation of two programs, the Radiological PhD program (CIP code ), which was recently cited as being low-performing, and the Medical Physics program (CIP code ). Both programs were established in 989, have shared core coursework since their inception, and are now meeting the low-producing thresholds. The proposed consolidated would insure against future low-performing problems and increase administrative efficiencies while creating new synergies. At a number of other universities there are combined medical biophysics/bioengineering/medical physics programs that offer a multi-disciplinary range of studies. Therefore it is appropriate to consolidate these two programs. Upon approval of this request, the Medical Physics PhD program shall be terminated. The proposed, consolidated PhD program in Radiological shall have four tracks: Medical Physics, Radiation Biology, Neuroscience Imaging and Human Imaging. These tracks will share a core curriculum, which focuses on students learning how to develop and apply biomedical imaging and radiation science to problems in biomedical research. THECB/AAR Updated //2 2

3 . Briefly give the reasons for consolidation. Include a justification for the choice of CIP code and benefits to the students from a consolidated program. History The Radiological Graduate Program uses the CIP code , which is designated for Radiation Biology / Radiobiology. The program was approved by the Graduate School of Biomedical (GSBS), Regents of the University of Texas, and the Coordinating Board for Higher Education of the State of Texas in 989 along with a parallel program in Medical Physics (CIP code ). While the medical physics portion of the program has graduated students at a good rate, the Radiological (CIP code ) did not fare as well during the first decade of the program due to declining job availability in the field of radiation biology. Thus about ten years ago anew approach to recruiting students was initiated. A combined medical resident/phd track, referred to as Human Imaging (in 2002), was started for physician students to study and perform research with imaging specialists and clinical researchers in disciplines that use imaging as a biomedical research tool. The Human Imaging component has an inherently long timeframe since the students are completing a medical residency program at the same time they are working on their PhD degree, so it takes typically years. Current Status - The number of students enrolled in the doctoral program in Radiological has steadily increased and currently meets the minimum graduation requirements, (See Table ). Table. Enrollment and graduations in Radiological (CIP code ) for last yrs. School Year Students Enrolled (as of 9/) Students Graduated Next Position 4 4 Faculty, UTMD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, TX Faculty, UTMB Galveston, TX Primate Neuroimaging Post-Doc at MGH/Harvard University Fellowship at Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston, MA 9 Post-Doc in Psychiatry Dept., Yale University, New Haven CT Residency at Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN Physicist at Mid-South Radiation Physics, Little Rock AR 7 Residency at UTMD Anderson Cancer Clinic, Houston TX Fellowship at Univ. Colorado Medical Center, Aurora, CO Post-doctoral position not finalized at this time Two more students will graduate in the summer of 20. In the 204 school year, the program expects 5 additional Radiological program students to graduate. This will make a total of 7 graduates in a 4 year period. The Radiological graduate program was recently visited by two out-of-state reviewers and received very positive comments. Dr. McNitt-Gray from UCLA noted that, Overall, this is an excellent program that offers unique graduate programs in Radiological that are primarily aimed at research, but through the Human Imaging track offers a very unique combination of research integrated with clinical training of radiologists. Dr. Button from SUNY Stony Brook also stated, The Program is excellent. THECB/AAR Updated //2

4 Medical Physics changes A new educational program for medical physicists shall begin at UTHSCSA in the 20-4 school year. A professional doctorate in medical physics has been approved by THECB and SACS and is currently being implemented by the School of Medicine. This is a professional degree, called a Doctor of Medical Physics (DMP), with clinical rotations but no research component. Since this change will result in fewer students enrolling in the PhD program in Medical Physics, the request is for the PhD in Medical Physics (CIP ) to be consolidated into the Radiological PhD program (CIP ). In the past, the Medical Physics PhD program consistently exceeded low producing thresholds. However, due to the start of the DMP program, including medical physics students amongst the diverse imaging scientists in the Radiological program makes sense. Upon approval of this proposal the Medical Physics PhD students shall be transferred into the Radiological PhD program. Table 2. Enrollment & graduations in PhD Medical Physics program (CIP code ) for last yrs. School Year Students Enrolled (as of 9/) Students Graduated Next Position 28 8 One medical physics clinical residency Three research fellowships Three full-time medical physics positions One computer programmer 2 7 Four medical physics clinical residency positions One research fellowship Two full-time medical physics positions Post-doctoral position not finalized at this time CIP Code Justification - IPEDS defines Radiation Biology (CIP code ) as, A program that focuses on the effects of radiation on organisms and biological systems. Includes instruction in particle physics, ionization, and biophysics of radiation perturbations, cellular and organismic repair systems, genetic and pathological effects of radiation, and the measurement of radiation dosages. This description lists the common aspects of all of the tracks in the proposed consolidated program. (See Appendix) THECB/AAR Updated //2 4

5 2. Give examples of similar programs at other institutions. Radiological is an inherently multi-disciplinary field, with students involved in Basic Biological Science, Applied Neuroscience, Imaging Physics, Bioinformatics, Clinical Science and many other areas of investigation. The argument has been made in many venues (a few references are listed below) that the current model for PhD training must be changed in order for recently graduated students to be competitive in the workplace and promote substantive innovations in science and technology. One term that has been coined for this type of training is TRANSDISCIPLINARY that is, transcending multidisciplinary. This concept has also been embraced and promoted by major funding agencies - notably the NSF (for example ) and the NIH (for example ). Cultivating this type of transdisciplinary program has been our aim for Radiological as we have planned its development at our faculty/student retreats over the past six years. Graduate programs that are purely dedicated to radiation biology are very rare. We are aware of only two in the country. PhD program in Radiation Biology at Purdue University; Free Radical and Radiation Biology PhD Program at The University of Iowa On the other hand, there are several medical biophysics/bioengineering/medical physics programs that offer a multi-disciplinary range of studies. Some of these include: The Physiology and Biophysics Department at University of Buffalo, which offers educational programs in Physiology, Biophysics and Medical Physics at the undergraduate and graduate levels. The Biomedical Engineering Department at SUNY Stony Brook University which offers graduate tracks in medical physics, molecular bioengineering, biomechanics and biosignals. The Biomedical Engineering Department at the University of Florida which offers graduate degrees in medical physics, neuronal engineering, biomaterials, tissue engineering and biomechanical modeling. The Medical Physics Department at University of Wisconsin, which is affiliated with Radiology, Human Oncology, Psychiatry, and Medicine. Also several faculty members have cross appointments in the School of Engineering, in Nuclear Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or Biomedical Engineering. The Department of Medical Biophysics at Western University, which includes a medical physics track (called the CAMPEP option ). Thus it is rational and timely to combine these two PhD programs, which are inherently transdisciplinary and have common academic elements into a single over-arching program. THECB/AAR Updated //2 5

6 . Describe the alignment among degree program requirements for each program under consideration for consolidation. Use a table to identify common course requirements and designated/prescribed electives, including SCH and course titles. Reorganization Plan In its report, dated August 8, 20 and signed by Dr. McGregor Stephenson, the THECB stated that UTHSCSA would be allowed to combine the Radiation Biology program with the existing Ph.D. in Medical Physics. This proposal is to combine the programs in the following manner. The Medical Physics PhD students shall be incorporated into the Radiological program (CIP code ) and divide the combined program into five separate tracks: PhD; Radiation Biology track PhD; Neuroscience Imaging track MD Resident/PhD; Human Imaging track PhD; Medical Physics track (currently ) CORE COURSES COMMON TO ALL PROPOSED TRACKS: Course Number Course Name Semester Credit Hours INTD 6002 Ethics in Research RADI 500 Basic Radiation Safety RADI 5007 Statistics in Radiological 2 RADI 505 Physics of Diagnostic Imaging I RADI 5090 Seminars in Radiological * 4 RADI 602 Physics of Nuclear Medicine RADI 6024 Radiological Anatomy & Physiology RADI 6049 Introduction to MRI 2 RADI 607 Supervised Teaching 2 RADI 6097 Research 5 RADI 7099 Dissertation 8 TOTAL = 52 SCH CORE COURSE DESCRIPTIONS Ethics in Research In this course students learn using cases taken (with permission) from several textbooks on the responsible conduct of research. The issues discussed in the course include plagiarism, authorship, conflict of interest, data selection and management and more (based upon the Office of Research Integrity and PHS policy recommendations). Basic Radiation Safety - This course provides the student with a conceptual understanding of the radiation protection principles involved in the research, diagnostic, and therapeutic uses of radiation sources. This course covers the safe receipt, use, storage, and disposal of radiation sources in the medical and research settings. Statistics in Radiological - Students shall learn about the use of statistics in the radiological sciences following the theoretical developments and then applying the concepts to actual and simulated problems from various subfields of Radiological Science research. Students THECB/AAR Updated //2 6

7 will become familiar with the "R" programming language, a free, open-source analytical statistics environment that has been used for a myriad of applications worldwide. Physics of Diagnostic Imaging I Students will learn the basic theory and applications of diagnostic imaging systems, including radiographic, fluoroscopic, ultrasound, nuclear medicine and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) systems. Seminars in Radiological Students will attend weekly presentations by faculty and students, which cover current findings in the field of Radiological. Each student shall present one seminar and submit short critiques of other students presentations. Students are given feedback on the effectiveness of their presentations and tips on how to improve them by the faculty. Physics of Nuclear Medicine Students learn the theory and application of nuclear medicine imaging, radiochemistry and radiopharmacy, focusing on single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) and positron emission tomography (PET). The objective is to prepare students for advanced studies in the physics of nuclear medicine and to use the technical capabilities of nuclear medicine in their research. Radiological Anatomy & Physiology Students learn anatomy, physiology and commonly used medical terminology as it relates to biomedical imaging. Students become familiar with anatomic and physiologic that are illustrated using radiological images in formats commonly encountered in clinical radiology. By the end of the course, students shall understand basic medical terminology and medical anatomy, physiology and some basic pathology as related to specific organs for which radiological images are commonly applied. Introduction to MRI Students are introduced to magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with the aim of making them advanced users. Students gain a conceptual understanding of MRI equipment, the process of image formation and are exposed to a variety of research applications using MRI. Student's understanding of materials covered in class are improved through experiments conducted during hands-on sessions. Supervised Teaching - Graduate students learn to develop effective teaching skills by being the instructor for a various classes in courses teaching Radiological topics to undergraduate students, biomedical professionals who use radiation and imaging technologies, medical residents and/or other graduate students. Students gain feedback on their teaching practices through surveys of the course s students with direct supervision by a faculty member. Research: Student engages in research projects under supervision of a faculty mentor. Upon completion of this course the student will understand how to perform measurements, record and analyze data, and how to present experimental results. The students shall learn the team concept of collaborative research and how to infer conclusions based on precise knowledge of a scientific topic and the results of experiments. Dissertation: Students design and conduct research to complete the aims identified in his/her research proposal in consultation with the mentor and advisory committee. Upon completion of this course, students will be able to form and design experiments to test hypotheses; technically perform the requisite experiments; organize, analysis and interpret experimental result; describe the significance of experimental outcomes in a well-reasoned discussion; defend the experimental approach, methods, and interpretation in an oral defense before the advisory committee. *THE PROPOSED CURRICULUM FOR EACH TRACK CAN BE FOUND IN THE APPENDIX THECB/AAR Updated //2 7

8 4. Explain how the change could affect programmatic accreditation or reaccreditation. The Medical Physics PhD program is independently accredited by the Commission for Accreditation of Medical Physics Education Programs (CAMPEP). This proposal has no effect on this external accreditation as long as the Medical Physics portion of the consolidated graduate program is clearly identifiable to CAMPEP. 5. Describe the cost efficiency benefits of consolidating the programs. The proposed consolidation will simplify administrative processes and produce a structure that will be more adaptable to student needs. Consolidation also will ensure that the program continues to have an adequate enrollment and graduation rates. In this process, several courses, which have had low attendance, are being terminated or have been terminated. These include: RADI 6042 Non-Ionizing Radiation Biology RADI 6072 Critical Skills: Papers and Grants RADI 5050 Human Electrophysiology RADI 700 Motor Learning & Brain Imaging It is estimated that with the reduction in faculty commitments for the classes, noted above, and reducing the support staff by approximately 0.5 FTE, the annual cost savings will be around $,000 per year. Also, if only one program requires a 5-year review, rather than two, an additional savings of around $5000 every five years will result. In addition, the new structure will facilitate procurement of federal funding to support the combined Radiological graduate program. From , the program was supported by a T2 Training grant from the National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering (NIBIB) of the National Institutes of Health. However this grant was not renewed, in part because the reviewers criticized the program for training both scientists and clinical professionals. The proposed new program shall overcome this criticism by clearly being dedicated to developing future researchers in biomedical imaging. Thus approval of this consolidation plan will result in improved opportunities for funding. Also an application has been submitted, and is currently under review, for a NIH R25 Training grant, also from NIBIB. This application was submitted in response to an application for proposals for programs that teach imaging research skills to medical residents. Last year s submission to the same program, based on the proven track record of the Human Imaging track, received a good score but fell just short of being funded. We are confident that this resubmission has a high chance (>50%) of being funded. Finally, it is important for graduate students to learn how to obtain their own funding if they aim for future success as principal investigators. In the past three years Radiological students have earned fellowships from NIH(F), American Heart Association, South Central Affiliate, the Institute for the Integration of Science and Medicine (TST), the THECB/AAR Updated //2 8

9 Radiological Society of North America, the Armed Forces Health Professions Scholarship Program and the Cancer Prevention Research Institute of Texas (CPRIT). Radiological students shall continue to be trained in this manner and encouraged to develop their fundraising skills as the consolidated graduate program evolves to meet the changing demands for skill sets in the nation s imaging science enterprise. Furthermore, no additional funding will be required for library acquisitions, facilities, or equipment to support students of the consolidated program. 6. If the consolidated program does not meet the low-producing thresholds, a temporary exemption request must be completed in addition to the consolidation request. The consolidated program currently exceeds the low-producing thresholds and will likely continue to do so for the foreseeable future. THECB/AAR Updated //2 9

10 As applicable, the consolidated program must adhere to the GIPWE requirements, Standards for Bachelor s and Master s Degrees or the criteria for doctoral programs (Chapter 5, Subchapter C, 5.46) and the 8 Characteristics of Texas Public Doctoral Programs. If the consolidation is approved, the start date for the consolidated program will be the start date of the oldest existing program. Graduates of consolidated programs will be combined with the graduates of the consolidated program in future Low-Producing Reports. Continue to report graduates in the programs being phased out under the current CIP Code until the phase-out date. If Coordinating Board staff deny a consolidation request of one or more low-producing programs, the institution may appeal the staff s decision to the Coordinating Board at one of its quarterly meetings. The Chief Academic Officer/Chief Instructional Officer of the institution must certify that the information provided in accordance with TAC Chapter 4, Subchapter R, Sections is accurate. These assurances are required before the Coordinating Board staff can consider the request. I certify that the information supplied supporting this consolidation request is accurate. Chief Academic Officer/Chief Instructional Officer Date THECB/AAR Updated //2 0

11 APPENDIX PROPOSED COMBINED RADIOLOGICAL SCIENCES Ph.D. CURRICULUM BY TRACK MEDICAL PHYSICS -YEAR - * Core Courses < Medical Physics Track {} Prerequisite Courses <RADI 50 Radiation and Nuclear Physics <RADI 5005 Fundamentals of Radiation Dosimetry *RADI 505 *Physics of Diagnostic Imaging I *RADI 6024 Radiological Anatomy & Physiology <RADI 600 Physics of Radiotherapy {RADI 5005} <RADI 5020 Principles of Health Physics I {RADI 50} *RADI 500 Basic Radiation Safety *INTD 6002 Ethics in Research -YEAR 2- <RADI 5025 Basic Radiation Biology <Medical Physics Elective *RADI 6049 Introduction to MRI 2 *RADI 602 Physics of Nuclear Medicine *RADI 5007 Statistics in Radiological *RADI 500 Basic Radiation Safety RADI 6097 Research -YEAR - *RADI 607 Supervised Teaching RADI 7099 Dissertation 7 RADI 7099 Dissertation 8 *RADI 607 Supervised Teaching -YEAR 4- RADI 7099 Dissertation 8 RADI 7099 Dissertation 8 2 THECB/AAR Updated //2

12 RADIATION BIOLOGY YEAR - * Core Courses < Radiation Biophysics Track {} Prerequisite Courses *RADI 500 Basic Radiation Safety <INTD 5000 Fund. of Biomedical *RADI 6024 Radiological Anatomy & Physiology 8 <Radiation Biology Elective <RADI 5020 Principles of Health Physics I *INTD 6002 Ethics in Research -YEAR 2- *RADI 505 Physics of Diagnostic Imaging I *RADI 602 Physics of Nuclear Medicine *RADI 607 Supervised Teaching *RADI 6049 Introduction to MRI 2 <Radiation Biology Elective <RADI 5025 Basic Radiation Biology *RADI 5007: Statistics in Radiological -YEAR - RADI 7099 Dissertation 7 RADI 7099 Dissertation 8 *RADI 607 Supervised Teaching -YEAR 4- RADI 7099 Dissertation 8 RADI 7099 Dissertation 9 Radiation Biology Electives RADI 6060 SCH Biohptonics and Optical Imaging RADI 500 SCH Medical Biophysics 2 THECB/AAR Updated //2 2

13 HUMAN IMAGING -YEAR - * Required for all students < Human Imaging Track {} Prerequisite Courses <INTD 5000 Fund. of Biomedical 8 *RADI 6024 Radiological Anatomy & Physiology RADI 6097 Research RADI 6097 Research 6 -YEAR 2- *RADI 505 Physics of Diagnostic Imaging I *RADI 602 Physics of Nuclear Medicine *RADI 500 Basic Radiation Safety *RADI 5007 Statistics in the Radiological *RADI 6049 Introduction to MRI 2 <Human Imaging Elective 2 <MEDI 5070 Resp. Conduct of Pat. Oriented Clinical Research *RADI 607 Supervised Teaching 2 2 -YEAR - <RADI 5025 Basic Radiation Biology RADI 6097 Research 6 *RADI 607 Supervised Teaching 2 RADI 6097 Research 5 *INTD 6002 Ethics in Research -YEAR 4- RADI 7099 Dissertation 9 RADI 7099 Dissertation 9 2 Human Imaging Electives MEDI SCH Patient-Oriented Clinical Research Methods MEDI 600 SCH Introduction to Translational Science MEDI SCH Data Management, Quality Control, and Regulatory Issues MEDI SCH Patient-Oriented Clinical Research Methods 2 THECB/AAR Updated //2

14 NEUROSCIENCE IMAGING -YEAR - * Required for all students < Neuroscience Imaging Track {} Prerequisite Courses <PHYT 7009 Neuroscience I *RADI 602 Physics of Nuclear Medicine <RADI 607 Neuroimaging Methods <PHYT 709 Neuroscience II <RADI 608 Fundamentals of Neuroscience Imaging *RADI 6049 Introduction to MRI 2 *INTD 6002 Ethics -YEAR 2- <RADI 605 Statistical Parametric Mapping *RADI 6024 Radiological Anatomy & Physiology *RADI 607 Supervised Teaching < Neuroscience Imaging Elective *RADI 505 Physics of Diagnostic Imaging I *RADI 500 Basic Radiation Safety *RADI 5007 Statistics in Radiological RADI 6097 Research -YEAR - RADI 7099 Dissertation 7 < Neuroscience Imaging Elective *RADI 607 Supervised Teaching RADI 7099 Dissertation 5 -YEAR 4- RADI 7099 Dissertation 8 RADI 7099 Dissertation 9 Neuroscience Imaging Electives INTD 5046 SCH MetaAnalysis in Cognitive Neuroscience RADI 6002 SCH Cognitive Neuroscience 2 THECB/AAR Updated //2 4

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16 Theresa Chiang, Ed.D. August 8, 20 Page 2 Your requests for temporary exemptions for the programs listed below are denied. The phase-out periods for currently enrolled students are noted on the attached Information Sheet. New students must not be admitted after the Fall 20 semester. M.S. in Clinical Laboratory -Toxicology M.S. in Dental Hygiene Ph.D. in Radiological -Radiation Biology M.s. in Dental Diagnostic Science M.S. in Endodontics Although the M.S. in Dental Diagnostic Science, the M.S. in Endodontics, and the Ph.D. in Radiological -Radiation Biology share several courses with other programs, the number of classes with low enrollment is cost prohibitive to the institution and the state. Between now and the August, 208 phase-out date, you may decide to combine the Radiation Biology program with the existing Ph.D. in Medical Physics. While the M.S. in Clinical Laboratory -Toxicology and the M.S. in Dental Hygiene provide for a current workforce need, the action plans for recruiting, retaining, and graduating students are not clearly laid out. An Information Sheet is enclosed for the convenience of your reporting officials. c: William L. Henrich David B. Prior MR/am/784 AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER AND SERVICE PROVIDER

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