Students who hope to enter various health care professions or focus on specific types of technology studies will have a new option in the School of Biomedical Sciences at Rowan University.
The formation of the School, which will open July 1, is one of the highlights of major changes in the structuring of academic programs at the Glassboro-based institution that the Rowan Board of Trustees recently approved.
The University also is separating the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences into two Colleges (Science & Mathematics and Humanities & Social Sciences) and shifting select programs from some of Rowan’s existing academic colleges into more relevant Colleges.
As of July 1, Rowan will offer colleges of Business, Communication & Creative Arts, Education, Engineering, Humanities & Social Sciences, Performing Arts, and Science & Mathematics. Rowan also includes the College of Graduate & Continuing Education and this summer will welcome the first class into Cooper Medical School of Rowan University, created in collaboration with Cooper University Hospital.
The School of Biomedical Sciences will operate in conjunction with the colleges of Science & Mathematics and Engineering. The dean of Sciences & Mathematics, Dr. Parviz Ansari, will head the school, and professors from his college and Engineering will be part of the faculty.
The School of Biomedical Sciences will address growing needs in the region for programs that will prepare students for careers in health care-related fields, from pharmacy to biomedical engineering.
“As we look to leverage the opportunities the medical school provides, we anticipate growth in health science-related programs,” said Dr. James Newell, interim provost. Two programs are now under consideration by the University Senate: biomedical engineering and translational biomedical sciences.
Newell said the new School will provide many options for students that also will benefit the public at large, including preparation for medical school and graduate studies in pharmacy, physical therapy and occupational therapy, among other fields.
“We anticipate significant research collaborations among faulty and students in the new school and faculty, staff and physicians at the medical school and Cooper,” Newell said. “Students will now have options in South Jersey in rapidly growing employment areas that have never before been available to them. This school will contribute toward developing the educated workforce that businesses need if they are going to relocate to South Jersey.”