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Sports: Blowout loss led to a surreal scene Saturday (Page 5)

L&A: OU’s Hornsemble will feature classical, jazz and contemporary tunes (Page 2)

The University of Oklahoma’s independent student voice since 1916

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ACADEMICS

OU plans biotechnology program Concentration in the field will be offered first, with full degree intended for future JUSTINE ALEXANDER News Reporter @caffeinejustine

Students who are interested in biotechnology may be able to choose it as a major as soon as next semester. Plant biology and microbiology majors can earn a concentration in biotechnology, said Amy Callaghan, chair of the biotechnology curriculum committee. For others it may soon be a major, she said. “Biotechnology plays a really important role in society, including bioremediation, drug discovery, medicine, and development of biofuels,” Callaghan said. “As far as we’ve been able to tell, there are no

biotechnology bachelor degrees available in the state … This is bizarre,” Laura Bartley, OU assistant professor and biotechnology curriculum committee member said. A lot of life science is becoming more molecularly oriented, she said. Gordon Uno, chairperson of the department of microbiology and plant biology, brought the idea for a biotechnology program to the faculty and formed a committee about two years ago, Callaghan said . “Our department felt we were poised to essentially spearhead the effort,” Callaghan said. The department started by gathering information based on biotechnology majors and concentrations at other universities including Cornell, University of California, Davis and Rutgers, Bartley said. Bartley asked friends working in different biotechnology industries what they want to see in recent graduates applying for jobs, she said. Students may be interested in the concentration because

there are a variety of jobs in biotechnology, Callaghan said. “Both graduate schools and industry want somebody who doesn’t need a lot of training to get going fairly early,” Bartley said. The bioPHOTO PROVIDED technology concentration Amy Callaghan, biotechnology could allow students to concurriculum committee chair tribute more quickly to a biotechnology lab or a dissertation in a research-focused program, Bartley said. The concentration will also provide students who want to go to medical or pharmacy school a foundation for what they’re going to see in their careers, Callaghan said. SEE BIOTECH PAGE 2

PRIDE OF OKLAHOMA

BRITT

IS BACK

JACKIE EBY/THE DAILY

Pride of Oklahoma director Brian Britt leads the band as they play their pregame field show Saturday at Gaylord Family Memorial Stadium. Britt recently replaced Justin Stolarik as Pride director.

Director’s return greeted with enthusiasm Band members find new inspiration to practice DAISY CREAGER News Reporter

or a little over two weeks, Brian Britt has been back as the director of The Pride of Oklahoma. However, that has been more than enough time for band practice to completely change, said Kristen Baird, secondary science education sophomore and member of The Pride. “Everyone has a better attitude,” Baird said. “Now that they feel like the band is going somewhere, they’re invested [in practicing].” The director of The Pride from 2001 to 2012, Britt was also the assistant director of the School of Music and taught classes. He left OU in part for his family, Britt said. “There just weren’t enough hours in the day for me to feel like I was doing the quality of work that the university deserved,” Britt said. “Also just to have energy left for my wife and my daughter.” After resigning, he and his family moved to Richardson, Texas, where Britt was the Director of Fine Arts for Richardson Independent School District, Britt said. WEATHER Sunny today with a high of 75, low of 34. Follow @AndrewGortonWX on Twitter for weather updates.

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However, after some conflicts between former Pride director Justin Stolarik, who replaced Britt, and the students were brought to the attention of OU President David Boren, Boren gave Britt a call, Britt said. “He contacted me after visiting with the students, and at that point we began to visit about strategies to When I came to help the program,” Britt OU, band was really said. “Ultimately he asked me to come back.” the first thing I got After discussing the move with his wife, Britt consult- plugged into, so Mr. ed Boren about the param- Britt was like a role eters of his position and the model to me.” two were able to reach an agreement, Britt said. ANDREW ROSS, “Once I was convinced BIOCHEMISTRY SENIOR that I could do the job that the students deserve and also be the husband and father that my family deserves, then it was very exciting to think

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about coming back and working with these wonderful students,” Britt said. Britt’s relationship to outside supporters of The Pride played a role in Boren contacting him, Britt said. “Given the circumstances, I think he felt that it was important to bring in someone who could establish trust quickly,” Britt said. According to biochemistry senior Andrew Ross, Britt’s role in his first two years of school was a vital one. “When I came to OU, band was really the first thing I got plugged into, so Mr. Britt was like a role model to me,” Ross said. “Having him back, especially for my last year in Pride, is a great way to end things.” After being in an administrative position, Britt said he forgot how much he enjoyed working directly with students. “It’s been really rewarding to be back on the field, do some teaching, and be part of that daily interaction with them again,” Britt said Daisy Creager Daisy.C.Creager-1@ou.edu