Feb 05, 2018
The biochemistry program at St. Bonaventure University has been awarded three years of accreditation by the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (ASBMB), a prestigious, internationally recognized organization with more than 12,000 members worldwide.
“This is very exciting news,” said Dr. Xiao-Ning Zhang, associate professor of biology and director of the biochemistry program at St. Bonaventure. “This national recognition speaks to the strength of our biochemistry program. It is acknowledgment that our program is a strong one, and not just because we say so.”
Founded in 1906, ASBMB advances the science of biochemistry and molecular biology and promotes the understanding of the molecular nature of life processes through education, research and outreach.
“Accreditation matters,” said Zhang. “It provides an independent, non-biased external recognition of our program based on nationally applied, outcome-based criteria. It not only increases the status and visibility of our program, but adds extra value to a St. Bonaventure biochemistry degree by providing more concrete and objective proof of our graduates’ qualifications and competitiveness."
It’s affirmation of the program’s excellence, said Dr. David Hilmey, dean of the School of Arts and Sciences at St. Bonaventure.
“It confirms that our biochemistry program, through our students and faculty, is of the highest quality,” said Hilmey. “This recognition is a great accomplishment for Dr. Zhang and the biochemistry faculty, and it affirms how the rigor and personal attention we provide our students in instruction and research help them achieve their full potential.”
During the accreditation process, ASBMB assessed the program’s effectiveness and student achievement, said Zhang. “The accreditation committee found our commitment to student and faculty research, and our extensive, inquiry-based curriculum, particularly commendable,” she said.
Accreditation brings a number of tangible benefits to students, beyond demonstrating their grasp of nationally applied fundamental concepts and critical reasoning skills.
“Our students are now members of a prestigious, nationwide academic community and are eligible for many high-value ASBMB undergraduate scholarships and awards,” said Zhang.
Other student benefits include eligibility for the ASBMB certification exam, which can help determine a student’s competitiveness among peers from across the country; potential membership in the ASBMB Honor Society; the opportunity to participate in society-supported STEM outreach projects at SBU; the chance to network with professionals nationwide, and the ability to present their own research within this network. Students may also gain valuable experience in scientific communication by writing for the society’s magazine, “ASBMB Today,” or the undergraduate blog, “The Substrate.”
“All of this helps our students to become even more competitive in the job market or when applying for graduate and professional programs,” said Zhang. “It’s the students who are the real winners in the accreditation process.”
Learn more about St. Bonaventure’s biochemistry program at
www.sbu.edu/biochemistry.
______________
About the University: The nation’s first Franciscan university, we believe in the goodness of every person and in the ability of every person to do extraordinary things. St. Bonaventure University cultivates graduates who are confident and creative communicators, collaborative leaders and team members, and innovative problem solvers who are respectful of themselves, others, and the diverse world around them. Named the #5 best college value in the North by U.S. News and World Report, we are establishing pathways to internships, graduate schools and careers in the context of our renowned liberal arts tradition.