Graduate Faculty
701-231-7087
Marc D. Anderson, Ph.D.
Iowa State University, 1995
Research Interests:
Plant Stress Physiology and Plant Metabolism, Responses of Plants
to Low Temperature, Influence of Stress on Amino Acid Metabolism
in Plants
William T. Barker, Ph.D. (adjunct)
University of Kansas, 1968
Animal and Range Sciences, NDSU, Fargo, N.D.
Peggy R. Biga, Ph.D.
University of Idaho, 2003
Research Interests:
Comparative growth and nutritional physiology, Responses of muscle growth and regenerative capabilities in response to varied macronutrients in several vertebrate taxa
William J. Bleier, Ph.D.
Texas Tech University, 1975
Research Interests:
Blackbirds, Animal Depredation, Avian Ecology
Deborah P. Buitron, Ph.D. (adjunct)
University of Minnesota, 1982
Research Interests:
Behavioral Ecology of Aquatic Birds
Malcolm G. Butler, Ph.D.
University of Michigan, 1980
Research Interests:
Aquatic Ecology, Limnology, Fisheries, Water Quality, Wildlife
Management
Gary K. Clambey, Ph.D.
Iowa State University, 1975
Research Interests:
Ecology and Biogeography, Environmental Analysis and Planning,
Structure Function Relations in Midwestern Ecosystems, Human Ecology
Mark E. Clark, Ph.D.
University of Tennessee, 1996
Research Interests:
Fish and Wildlife Ecology, Population Biology, Ecological Modeling,
Quantitative Ecology
Theodore L. Esslinger, Ph.D.
Duke University, 1974
Research Interests:
Lichenology; Taxonomy, Chemosystematics, and Floristics of Lichens;
Emphasis on the Parmeliaceae and Physciaceae
Ned H. Euliss, Jr., Ph.D. (adjunct)
Oregon State University, 1989
Research Biologist, U.S. Geological Survey, Northern Prairie Wildlife
Research Center, Jamestown, N.D.
Research Interests:
Wetland Ecology
Marvin W. Fawley, Ph.D.
Miami University, 1985
Research Interests:
Evolution, Diversity, and Systematics of Algae, Particularly Green
Algae; Application of Molecular Techniques to Ecological Studies
and Identification of Algae.
James W. Grier, Ph.D.
Cornell University, 1975
Research Interests:
Eagles and Other Birds of Prey, Herpetology, Aquatic Organisms,
Fossils, Animal Population Dynamics, Habitat Ecology
Kendra J. Greenlee, Ph.D.
Arizona State University, 2004
Research Interests:
Comparative physiology, Insect respiration and Immunology
Mark A. Hanson, Ph.D. (adjunct)
North Dakota State University, 1990
Research Scientist, Wetland Wildlife Populations and Research
Group, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Bemidji, Minn.
Research Interests:
Wetland Ecology
Donna L. Jacob, Ph.D. (adjunct)
University College Dublin, Ireland, 2003
Research Interests:
Wetland science, biogeochemistry
Douglas H. Johnson, Ph.D. (adjunct)
North Dakota State University, 1986
Senior Scientist, USGS, Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center, St. Paul, MN.
Research Interests:
Quantitative Ecology, Population Biology, Grassland Birds.
George M. Linz, Ph.D. (adjunct)
North Dakota State University, 1982
Project Leader, Wildlife Biologist, USDA/APHIS Wildlife Services,
National Wildlife Research Center, Great Plains Field Station,
Bismarck, N.D.
Research Interests:
Development of Methodologies of Managing Blackbird Damage to Sunflower
Andrew M. Marry, Ph.D. (adjunct)
John Innes Centre, 1998
Biology Department,
Minnesota State University, Moorhead, MN.
Research Interests:
Plant Cell Walls
Lisa M. Montplaisir, Ph.D.
University of Arizona, 2003
Science Education, Teaching and Learning, Curriculum Development.
Gary L. Nuechterlein, Ph.D.
University of Minnesota, 1980
Research Interests:
Behavioral Ecology of Birds; Wildlife Ecology, Particularly of
Non-game Species
Marinus L. Otte, Ph.D.
Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, The Netherlands, 1991
Wetland science, biogeochemistry, plant ecophysiology
Wendy L. Reed, Ph.D.
Iowa State University, 2000
Research Interests:
Physiological Ecology, Evolution of Life Histories, Behavioral
Endocrinology
M. Hildegard Reiser, Ph.D. (adjunct)
Northern Arizona University, 1988
Program Manager, National Park Service, Chihuahuan Desert Network
Inventory & Monitoring Program, Carsbad, N.M.
Research Interests:
Conservation Biology and Ecosystem Management
Nancy Shappell, Ph.D. (adjunct)
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, 1988
Research Physiologist, Animal Metabolism Unit, Biosciences Research
Laboratory, USDA/ARS, Fargo, N.D.
Research Interests:
Effect of Xenobiotics (with Potential Agricultural Impact) on
Animals
Mark A. Sheridan, Ph.D.
University of California-Berkeley, 1985
Research Interests:
Animal Physiology/Endocrinology; Control of Growth, Development,
and Metabolism in Vertebrates, Especially Fish; Aquaculture; Signal
Transduction; in vitro Diagnostics
Craig A. Stockwell, Ph.D.
University of Nevada, Reno, 1995
Research Interests:
Evolutionary Ecology of Vertebrate Populations, Conservation Biology,
Fisheries Biology
Jeffrey C. Suttle, Ph.D. (adjunct)
Michigan State University, 1980
USDA/ARS, Fargo, N.D.
Research Interests:
Plant Physiology
Steve E. Travers, Ph.D.
University of California, 1998
Research Interests:
Plant Evolutionary Ecology
Gerald Van Amburg, Ph.D. (adjunct)
Texas A & M University, 1969
Biology Department, Concordia College, Moorhead, Minn.
Alan R. White, Ph.D. (adjunct)
University of North Carolina, 1981
Biology Department, East Carolina University, Greenville, North Carolina
Research Interests:
Plant Cell Biology; Biosynthesis of Cell Wall Polysaccharides
in the Golgi Apparatus; Structure of Polysaccharides and Glycoprotein
Oligosaccharides; Science and Mathematics Education
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Program Description
The Department of Biological Sciences offers
graduate study leading to Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy
degrees. Master of Science degrees are available in Biology, Botany, Environmental
and Conservation Sciences, Natural Resources Management, and Zoology.
Doctor of Philosophy degrees are available in Botany, Environmental
and Conservation Sciences, Genomics, Cellular and Molecular Biology, Environmental
and Conservation Sciences, Natural Resources Management, and Zoology.
Advanced work may involve specialized training in the following
areas: aquatic biology, behavior, cell biology, comparative biochemistry
and physiology, conservation biology, ecology, endocrinology,
evolution, fisheries biology, lichenology, molecular biology,
plant biology, population biology, prairie pothole ecology, systematics,
vertebrate pest management, and wildlife biology.
Student research and academic programs are tailored to individual
needs and interests. Interdisciplinary approaches to biological
problems are encouraged.
Correspondence with one or more departmental faculty members before
and during the application process is essential.
For e-mail addresses for faculty members and for additional information
about our programs, please visit our Web site at http://biology.ndsu.nodak.edu/.
Admissions Requirements
The graduate programs in the Department
of Biological Sciences are open to all qualified graduates of
universities and colleges of recognized standing. To be admitted
with full status to the program, the applicant must
- Hold a baccalaureate degree from
an educational institution of recognized standing.
- Have adequate preparation in the
desired area of advanced study and show potential to undertake
advanced study and research as evidenced by academic performance
and experience.
- At the baccalaureate level, have
earned a cumulative grade point average (GPA) in all courses
of at least 3.0 or equivalent. Students with a graduate degree
with a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 or equivalent may be admitted
in full standing.
An applicant who does not meet all
requirements for admission or has deficiencies in prerequisite
course work, but shows potential for successful graduate study,
may be admitted under a conditional status. Evidence must be provided
showing that his/her record does not adequately reflect the applicant's
potential. After meeting the specified standards of performance
by the department, the student, in consultation with the major
adviser, may request a change to full graduate standing. The major
adviser must submit the request for a change to the Dean of The
Graduate School after approval by the department chair.
Preferably, applications should be submitted directly to The Graduate
School before March 1 of the upcoming academic year. Most students
initiate their graduate programs in the fall semester, but starting
a graduate program in January or June also is possible; therefore,
applications will be considered at any time they are submitted.
Official transcripts (transcripts having an appropriate seal or
stamp) of all previous undergraduate and graduate records must
be received by The Graduate School before the application is complete.
When a transcript is submitted in advance of completion of undergraduate
or graduate studies, an updated transcript showing all course
credits and grades must be provided prior to initial registration
at NDSU.
Three letters of recommendation are generally required before
action is taken on any application. Personal reference report
forms are available from The Graduate School or online at www.ndsu.edu/ndsu/academic/bulletins/graduate/.
The general Graduate Record Examination scores are required of
all applicants.
The TOEFL examination is required of international applicants.
A minimum score of 550 (paper test) or 213 (computer test) must
be achieved.
Financial Assistance
Research assistantships and teaching assistantships
are available. Applicants are considered on the basis of scholarship,
potential to undertake advanced study and research, as well as
financial need. A student must first be accepted by The Graduate
School before consideration for financial assistance. Assistantships
include a waiver of tuition.
In addition to research and teaching assistantships, there are
other types of financial support. A limited number of State Board
of Higher Education Scholarships and Presidential Fellowships
are available through The Graduate School. Outstanding scholarship
and financial need are primary considerations for these fellowships.
Scholarships in specific areas are also available through the
Department of Biological Sciences. These are generally supplemental
and do not include tuition waivers. Students are considered for
these awards after enrollment, with primary considerations being
scholastic performance and research at NDSU.
Degree Requirements
The Master of Science program generally
requires a minimum of 24 months of full-time study, during which
an overall GPA of 3.0 or better must be maintained. The Master
of Science degree may be earned by either of two options. The
thesis option emphasizes completion of a research project. The
comprehensive study option requires more course work, and instead
of conducting research and presenting a thesis, the candidate
presents a paper or papers approved by the adviser to the examining
committee, demonstrating ability for scholarly study and written
expression. Candidates under both options must present a seminar
on the thesis research or comprehensive study, and must pass an
oral examination.
The Ph.D. program generally requires a minimum of 36 months of
full-time study, during which an overall GPA of 3.0 or better
must be maintained. Candidates for the Ph.D. are required to take
a preliminary written and oral examination directed to academic
subject matter and a final defense of the dissertation.
Most students have selected a major adviser prior to their arrival
for graduate studies; however, if a student has not made such
a decision, then he/she must select a major adviser within nine
months of beginning graduate school. By the end of the first year
in residence, the student must select an advisory/supervisory
committee. The committee advises/supervises the student and administers
preliminary and final oral examinations.
Research Facilities and Equipment
The Department of Biological Sciences
occupies approximately 20,000 square feet of floor space in Stevens
Hall for research and teaching. The NDSU Library has extensive
holdings of journals, monographs, books, and other reference materials
covering various fields in biology. The library offers full access
to online catalogs and databases.
Faculty in the department have research programs ranging from
molecular biology to ecosystem ecology and work with a wide variety
of organisms (algae, lichens, angiosperms, invertebrates, and
vertebrates). Modern equipment is available for conducting research
in cell and molecular biology and field ecology and behavior.
The department has access to a vascular plant herbarium with 240,000
specimens emphasizing Northern Great Plains flora, a lichen herbarium
consisting of about 15,000 specimens with a worldwide representation
of taxa, and a vertebrate collection with approximately 10,000
specimens.
The department offers access to a range of equipment and facilities
necessary for laboratory research including greenhouses, animal
rooms, growth chambers, tissue culture facilities, ultracentrifuges,
spectrophotometers, electrophoresis, light microscopes, gas chromatography,
GC-mass spectrometry, and high performance liquid chromatography.
Facilities are available for protein and DNA sequencing; oligonucleotide
synthesis; interactive laser cytometry; scanning transmission
and electron microscopy, and confocal microscopy.
Courses Offered
- Bot 631 Intermediate Genetics
3
- See Plant Sciences for description.
Prereq: Bot 315.
Biol 640 Biotechnology and Ethics 2- Study of ethical issues associated with
the development of emerging technologies and their application
in solving biological problems. Prereq: Biol 150.
Zool 640 Microbial Ecology 3- Microbial ecology introduces the student to basic, applied, and current concepts in microbiology and the environment. It considers the roles of microorganisms in maintaining environmental quality and the role of environment in determining microbial diversity. Prereq: Zoo 364.
Bot 650 Range Plants 3- See Animal and Range Sciences for description.
Zool 650 Invertebrate Zoology 4- Survey of the biology, classification,
and evolution of invertebrates. Emphasis on major phyla, marine,
and parasitic taxa. Offered spring. Prereq: Biol 151, 151L.
Bot 652 Plant Structure 3- See Plant Pathology for description.
Zool 652 Ichthyology 3- Biology and taxonomy of fishes. Offered; fall. Prereq: Biol 151, 151L.
Zool 654 Herpetology 3- Primarily a field and laboratory course
focusing on amphibians and reptiles. Students must make a commitment
to participate in at least one of two 4-day field trips plus
an independent review project. Offered odd years; fall. Prereq:
Biol 151, 151L.
Zool 656 Ornithology 3- Introduction to the biology, classification,
and identification of birds, especially local forms. Early morning
field trips required. Offered fall. Prereq: Biol 151, 151L.
Zool 658 Mammalogy 3- Biology and taxonomy of mammals. Offered
fall. Prereq: Biol 151, 151L.
Biol 659 Evolution 3- Discussion of the mechanisms of evolution,
including population genetics, selection, speciation, adaptation,
and molecular evolution. Prereq: Biol 315, 364.
Bot 660 Plant Ecology 3- Ecological structure, processes, and
patterns observed with plant communities and populations as
influenced by environmental conditions. Illustrations provided
with local fieldwork. Prereq: Bot 372. Cross-listed with ARSc.
Zool 660 Animal Physiology 3 - Development of basic quantitative descriptions
of physical and chemical principles governing cell and organ
function. Offered spring. Prereq: Biol 151, 151L, Chem 341.
Zool 662 Physiological Ecology 3- Comparative physiology of the vertebrates.
Study of biochemical, morphological, and behavioral mechanisms
involved with compensatory changes in response to changes in
ontogeny and/or external environment. Offered spring. Prereq:
Biol 151, 151L.
Zool 663 Physiology of Reproduction 4- See Animal and Range Sciences for description.
Zool 664 Endocrinology 3- Physiology and anatomy of endocrine
glands, chemistry and interrelations of their secretions. Offered
fall. Prereq: Biol 151, 151L.
Zool 670 Limnology 4- Biological, physical, and chemical features
of fresh-water ecosystems. Offered odd years; fall. Prereq:
Biol 151, 151L, Biol 364, and one year chemistry.
Bot 671 Phycology 3- Identification, systematics, evolution,
ecology, life histories, physiology, cytology, and culture of
algae. Prereq: Bot 372.
Bot 672 Lichenology 3- Biology, ecology, and systmatics of
lichen fungi. Prereq: Bot 372.
Zool 672 Fisheries Biology 3- Principles of ecology and limnology
applied to fish production. Offered odd years; spring. Prereq:
Biol 364.
Zool 674 Fisheries Management 3- Techniques used in the study and management
of fish. Offered even years; spring. Prereq: Zoo 472.
Zool 675 Conservation Biology 3- Integrative approach to the study and
conservation of biodiversity. Application of principles from
various sub-disciplines of the biological and social sciences
to current conservation problems. Offered fall. Prereq: Zoo
315, 315L.
Zool 676 Wildlife Ecology and Management 3- Application of ecological principles
to management of game and nongame wildlife populations. Field
trips required. Offered spring. Prereq: Biol 364.
Zool 677 Wildlife and Fisheries Management Techniques 3- Students will learn traditional and
state-of-the-art techniques in the study of management of fish,
wildlife, and other animal populations. Topics will include
assessment of population characteristics, habitat, behavioral
ecology, and genetic structure. Offered spring. Prereq: Zool
476.
Biol 678 Methods in Animal Physiology- Students will investigate physiological functions
at the cell, tissue, organ and organismal levels. Prereq: BIOL 150 and BIOL 151.
Co-req: ZOO 460 or ZOO 462.
Biol 680 Ecotoxicology - Ecotoxicology, the behavior of pollutants in and effects
on ecosystems; top-down and bottom-up approaches for assessment/prediction of effects
on populations, communities and ecosystems; ecotoxicological testing at single/multi-species
levels; biomarkers; passive/active biomonitoring. Prereq: BIOL 150 and BIOL 150L and
BIOL 151 and BIOL 151L. (even years)
Bot 680 Plant Tissue Culture 2- Introduction to the culture of plant
cells, tissues, organs, and protoplasts; and its applications.
Prereq: Bot 372.
Zool 682 Developmental Biology 3- Analysis of the processes of development
with an emphasis on animal development. Topics range from classical
embryology to the cellular and molecular basis of development.
Offered fall. Prereq: Biol 151, 151L.
Zool 705 Teaching College Science 3- Curriculum development and delivery
as related to student learning.
Bot 714 Advanced Systematic Botany 2- Discussion of cytotaxonomy, biochemical
systematics, experimental biosystematics, and mathematical systematics.
Emphasis on using related data in the study of systematic problems.
Prereq: Bot 314.
Bot 716 Agrostology 3- See Animal and Range Sciences for description.
Bot 717 Aquatic Vascular Plants 2- See Animal and Range Sciences for description.
Bot 720 Advanced Cell Biology 3- In-depth survey of cell biology, including
studies of membranes, secretion cytoskeleton, cellular movement
organelles, and gene regulation. Prereq: Bioc 702.
Biol 722 Current Topics in Cell and Molecular Biology 3- Advanced studies on selected current
topics in cellular and molecular biology.
- Biol 730 Growth Biology
- Regulation of growth at cell/tissue, organ systems, and whole animal levels.
-
Zool 760 Evolutionary Ecology 3- Lecture-discussion course on recent
developments in evolutionary theory and their implications in
the study of animal adaptation, ecology, and behavior. Offered
odd years; spring. Prereq: Biol 364.
Bot 762 Environment and Adaptation 3- Environmental factors and responses
evidenced with life-history patterns, genetic variation, population
dynamics, species-interactions, and physiological processes.
Prereq: Bot 460/660.
Bot 764 Ecological Processes 3- Ecosystem dynamics (short-term, successional,
evolutionary), component interactions, ecological energentics,
and biogeochemical transfers, with consideration of anthropogenic
aspects. Historical and theoretical viewpoints included. Prereq:
Bot 460/660.
Zool 764 Neuroendocrine and Endocrine Systems 3- Topics in molecular endocrinology. Emphasis
on signal transduction and effects of hormones on gene expression.
Offered even years; spring. Prereq: Zoo 464.
Zool 766 Neurophysiology 3- Function of neurons and simple neural
networks. Emphasis on quantitative description of processes
and characterizations of the neurological basis of simple behaviors.
Prereq: Zoo 460 or Psyc 465.
Zool 770 Aquatic Community Ecology 4- Nature and ecological roles of the freshwater
biota. Discussion of contemporary issues in aquatic ecology.
Offered even years; fall. Prereq: Zoo 470.
Zool 776 Population Dynamics 4- Principles and mechanics of animal population
dynamics. Offered even years; fall. Prereq: Biol 364 and an
interest in working with numbers.
Bot 780 Plant Metabolism and Plant Stress Physiology 4- A detailed study of the dynamics, compartmentation, and interactions among metabolic processes in plants and the changes that occur in response to various biotic and abiotic stresses. Prereq: Bot 380 or Bioc 460.
Bot 782 Regulation of Plant Growth 4- Role of hormones, water, and mineral
elements in plant growth. Ion and water absorption and translocation.
Hormone dynamics. Emphasis on recent molecular studies of hormonal
regulation. Prereq: Bot 380, Bioc 460.
Biol 785 Photobiology 3- Photosynthesis, pigments, light regulated
metabolism, photoreceptors, photoperiodism, photomorphogenic
responses. Emphasis on recent molecular studies of photoregulation.
Prereq: Bot 380, Bioc 460.
790 Seminar 1
793 Individual Study 1-3
795 Field Experience 1-15
796 Special Topics 1-5
797 Master's Paper 1-3
798 Master's Thesis 1-10
799 Doctoral Dissertation 1-15
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