Keck Graduate Institute of Applied Life Sciences – Background 1997-07-01 The seventh and newest member of The Claremont Colleges, Keck Graduate Institute is dedicated exclusively to educational programs and research aimed at translating discovery in the biosciences into practice for the benefit of humanity. KGI offers a two-year professional Master of Bioscience (MBS) degree program that addresses the challenges of developing leaders in the biosciences who have solid science and engineering skills as well as a strong grasp of management, ethics, and policy issues. Reflecting the significance – and potential – of this endeavor, this is the third largest grant ever made by the Foundation for a single project. Forward-looking, adaptive, and unhindered by tradition, KGI's world-class faculty, led by Human Genome Project pioneering scientist David Galas, directs a uniquely structured curriculum: modular, project-centered, and team-based, responding to and anticipating industry needs. KGI's triaxial–bioinformatics and computational molecular biology, biological systems, and bioengineering–technical curriculum is augmented with essential management, ethics and business training. Founded in 1997, Keck Graduate Institute of Applied Life Sciences established a new standard of interdisciplinary technical, scientific and management preparation for individuals with strong science or engineering backgrounds and a desire to shape the future of the biosciences industry. KGI attracts students from a variety of backgrounds and at different stages of their careers. An undergraduate major in natural/life sciences, mathematics, engineering, or information technology provides ideal preparation for Keck Graduate Institute. Bioscience corporations and venture companies with an interest in the life sciences are invited to participate in the development of Keck Graduate Institute. Opportunities are available for research collaborations, student internship and recruitment, and other scientific, technical, and management-based interactions. Individuals and foundations are invited to consider philanthropic investments in KGI thereby helping to build this important new institution and contributing to one of the keystone endeavors of the 21st century.