Biology Department

Kaius Helenurm, Chairperson
191 Churchill-Haines Laboratories
(605) 677-5211
biology@usd.edu
www.usd.edu/biology

FACULTY

Professors:

Hugh B. Britten, Population Genetics, Evolution, Conservation Biology
Kaius Helenurm, Plant Conservation Genetics, Evolution of Island Plants
Karen L. Koster, Plant Stress Physiology, Cell Biology, Seed Biology
Paula M. Mabee, Developmental Biology, Systematics, Ichthyology, Informatics
Kenneth J. Renner, Neuroendocrinology, Reproductive Physiology
Daniel A. Soluk, Aquatic Ecology, Behavioral Ecology, Conservation Biology
Cliff H. Summers, Neuroendocrinology, Reproductive Biology, Vertebrate Stress Physiology
David L. Swanson, Physiological Ecology of Vertebrates, Ornithology, Vertebrate Cold Adaptation

Associate Professors:

Mark D. Dixon, Landscape and Plant Ecology, Riparian Ecosystems
Jacob L. Kerby, Ecotoxicology, Conservation Biology, Behavioral Ecology, Disease Ecology

Assistant Professors:

Abdelali Barakat, Plant Genetics and Genomics, Gene Regulation, Molecular Evolution, Bioinformatics
Meghann Jarchow, Sustainability, Bioenergy Cropping Systems, Agroecology, Prairie Ecology
Megan Porter, Molecular Evolution of Vision, Phototransduction, Sensory Genomics
Jeff Wesner, Food Webs, Aquatic Ecology, Community and Ecosystem Ecology, Ecotoxicology
Erliang Zeng, Bioinformatics, Computational Systems Biology, Biological Data Mining, Functional Genomics

Lecturer:

Lynn Riley, Introductory Biology, Botany, Genetics

Instructor:

Katherine Rasmussen, Introductory Laboratory Coordinator, GTA Supervisor

MAJORS:

Biology, B.S.
Medical Biology, B.S.

SPECIALIZATIONS:

Conservation and Biodiversity Specialization-Biology, B.S.
Physiology, Cell & Molecular Biology Specialization-Biology, B.S.

MINORS:

Biology

Conservation & Biodiversity

The Department of Biology offers courses that provide a broad background in biology, as well as concentrations in particular areas. The teaching and research interests of the faculty are diverse, ranging from physiology and cell biology to ecology and evolution. Particular strengths of the department include conservation biology, environmental stress physiology, neuroendocrinology, and population and evolutionary ecology.

Two majors - Biology and Medical Biology - are offered by the Department of Biology. The Biology major, with either a specialization in Conservation and Biodiversity or a specialization in Physiology, Cell and Molecular Biology, offers broad coverage of the major areas of biology. Within these specializations, Biology students take introductory and advanced courses that may lead to careers in medicine, allied health sciences, conservation biology, agriculture, applied biology, and other fields. Students graduating with a degree in Biology from USD are nationally competitive for graduate programs.

Students select either the Physiology, Cell and Molecular Biology Specialization or the Conservation and Biodiversity Specialization. The Physiology, Cell and Molecular Biology Specialization is recommended for students interested in careers in medicine; other health professions; biomedical engineering; biomedical research; physiology; cell and molecular biology; and biotechnology. The Conservation and Biodiversity Specialization serves students interested in ecology, evolution, systematics, conservation biology, wildlife/fisheries biology, and other areas of biology. The Conservation and Biodiversity Specialization also complements the Sustainability major for those wishing to do a double major. Both Biology specializations serve students interested in pursuing interdisciplinary careers such as public policy and law, pharmaceutical development and sales, education, and bioethics.

The Medical Biology major provides a more specialized focus for students’ intent on pursuing careers in health-related fields. The curriculum is designed to help students achieve the competencies recommended for entrance to medical school. This major also provides training for students interested in pursuing graduate or professional degrees in health care, biotechnology, physiology, and cellular and molecular biology. The Medical Biology major includes a number of courses offered by the Sanford School of Medicine.

The Department of Biology offers a general minor in Biology and a more specialized minor in Conservation and Biodiversity. Both minors are open to any USD undergraduate who is not a Biology major. The minor in Conservation and Biodiversity provides additional depth in biology that is particularly suited for students majoring in Sustainability and for others with an interest in ecology or natural resources.

For more information about the department, please check our web site.

SCHOLARSHIPS

Edward P. and Nellie Churchill Awards
Harrington Book Award
Lucile B. Wendt Memorial Scholarship
Joseph F. and Martha P. Nelson Scholarship
Gladys Ripper Scholarship
Louella E. Cable Memorial Scholarship
Webster Sill Memorial Scholarship