Biology Chair

Biology Chair

Position Description

I. Basic Function: to teach and perform related duties in the graduate and undergraduate programs. To provide leadership in the Department of Biology. To provide faculty and students with congenial environment conducive to the teaching-learning-research goals of the department. To encourage the professional growth of the faculty.

II. Responsibilities and Authority: within the limits of authorized university, college and departmental policies, procedures, programs, and budgets, the department chair is responsible for and has the authority to accomplish the following duties:

A. to provide leadership in:

1. Biological Sciences

2. Medical Technology

3. Pre-medical program

4. Pre-dental program

5. Allied Health Science program (physical therapy, physician's assistant, occupational therapy)

6. Master's students in Biology

7. Undergraduate and graduate teacher education

B. To provide the best environment for learning and teaching so that the optimum opportunity exists for the growth of both faculty and students, and to provide encouragement of the best performance on the part of the faculty.

C. To engage in meaningful creative activity and research, whether of pure or applied nature whenever possible.

D. To participate in professional learned organizations in order to facilitate interchange of ideas useful to the university and foster professional growth, including consulting.

E. To provide schedules of classes. To provide academic advisement for students, and to coordinate the schedule within the university.

G. To represent the department at University and non-university functions, including the regular meetings of the Council of Instructional Departments and to participate in the life of the community in order to capitalize on the available opportunities for the university.

H. To provide and certify degree plans for each candidate for graduation.

I. To determine faculty effectiveness, the effectiveness of various programs and to formulate, with the advice of the faculty, the overall direction of the department for the future.

III. Personnel under immediate supervision

A. The department chair is responsible for the effective utilization and management of the faculty in the department.

B. The department shares responsibility for the selection, the utilization, and management of teaching fellows and student assistants employed by the the university for the department.

C. The department chair supervises full-time and part-time department administrative assistance, unless the department shared designates the authority to someone else.

D. The department chair works with the technical assistance and procuring supplies, materials and so forth for the department.

IV. Relationships

A. The department Chair should maintain such relationships with students and student organizations as are necessary and desirable in the best interest of the department, the college and the university.

B. The department chair should encourage effective communication between faculty and students so that the needs of the students can be continuously assessed.

C. The department chair should maintain such relationships with the heads of the other departments in the College of Arts and Sciences so that the best interest of the Department of Biology, the College of Arts and Sciences, and Lamar University are served.

D. The department chair maintains similar relationships within the community, with the civic organizations, and especially with the personnel of secondary schools.

V. Qualifications

A. A Ph.D. in a biological science

B. A broad knowledge of basic and applied biology and capability of developing programs in the biological sciences.

C. Tenures of professional experience.

D. Evidence of administrative and proven teaching ability.

E. Possess a record of professional accomplishments in research, publications, leadership and professional organizations.