Graduate Faculty

701 231-7033

F. Adnan Akyüz, Ph.D.
University of Missouri-Columbia, 1994
Research Area/Activity:
Applied Climatology and Microclimatology/Climate Based Agricultural Management

Alan C. Ashworth, Ph.D.
University of Birmingham, 1969
Research Interests:
Quaternary Paleoecology, Paleoclimatology

William Barker, Ph.D.
University of Kansas, 1968
Research Interests:
Plant Systematics, Floristics of the Northern Great Plains, Range Ecological Studies

Achintya Bezbaruah, Ph.D .
University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 2002
Research Interests: Nanomaterials for Pollution Control, Recalcitrant and micro pollutants, Contaminant fate and transport, Small community water and wastewater treatment, Environmental sensors, Environmental management

Chris F. Biga, Ph.D.
Washington State University, 2006
Research Interests: Environmental sociology and sociological social psychology

Peggy Biga, Ph.D. University of Idaho, 2003.
Research interests: Comparative Growth and Nutritional Physiology

Mario E. Biondini, Ph.D.
Colorado State University, 1984
Research Interests:
Study and Analysis of Ecosystems, Use of Multivariate Statistical Techniques in the Study of Ecosystems, Modeling of Ecological Systems, Landscape Ecology, Plant-Soil Relationships

William J. Bleier, Ph.D.
Texas Tech University, 1975
Research Interests:
Vertebrate Pest Management, Habitat Management, Geographic Information Systems

Gary J. Brewer, Ph.D.
Kansas State University, 1984
Research Interests:
Insect-Plant Interactions, Resistance of Plants to Insects, Integrated Pest Management

Deborah P. Buitron, Ph.D.
University of Minnesota, 1982
Research Interests:
Behavioral Ecology of Aquatic Birds

Malcolm G. Butler, Ph.D.
University of Michigan, 1980
Research Interests:
Aquatic Invertebrate Biology, Limnology, Wetland Ecology

Patrick M. Carr
Montana State University, 1989
Research Interests:
Sustainable Agriculture, Cropping Systems

Frank X.M. Casey, Ph.D.
Iowa State University, 2000
Research Interests:
Field and Laboratory Studies of Water Flow and Chemical Transport Processes

Larry Cihacek, Ph.D.
Iowa State University, 1979
Research Interests:
Carbon Sequestration in Soils, Soil Physical Properties, Soil Management for Waste Disposal

Gary K. Clambey, Ph.D.
Iowa State University, 1975
Research Interests:
Ecology and Biogeography, Environmental Analysis and Planning, Structure Function Relations in the Midwestern Ecosystems

Mark E. Clark, Ph.D.
University of Tennessee, 1996
Research Interests:
Population Ecology, Landscape Ecology, Fish and Wildlife Ecology, Ecological Modeling, Spatial Modeling, Species Interactions

Davis Cope, Ph.D.
Vanderbilt University, 1980
Research Interests:
Partial Differential Equations, Numerical Methods, Applied Mathematics

Dennis Cooley, Ph.D.
University of Rochester, 1995
Research Interests: Ethics of Science

David B. Danbom, Ph.D.
Stanford University, 1974
Research Interests:
Agriculture and Rural Life, Recent U.S., Progressive Period

Thomas M. DeSutter, Ph.D.
Kansas State University, 2004
Research Area/Activity: Trace Gas Fluxes, Inorganic Soil Chemistry, Soil Environmental Conditions

Theodore L. Esslinger, Ph.D.
Duke University, 1974
Research Interests:
Lichenology, Taxonomy, Chemosystematics, Floristics of Lichens, Emphasis on the Alectoriacea, Parmeliaceae and Physciacae

Karen P. Fawley, Ph.D.
North Dakota State University, 1998
Research Interests:
Phycology and Aquatic Community Ecology, Molecular Identification of Algae

Marvin W. Fawley, Ph.D.
Miami University, 1985
Research Interests:
Phycology and Evolution, Biochemistry, Molecular Biology and Evolution of Light-Harvesting Complexes, rDNA Sequence Analysis

Gary A. Goreham, Ph.D.
South Dakota State University, 1985
Research Interests:
Rural Sociology, Community, Family Research Methods, Sociology of Religion, Sociology of Agriculture

James W. Grier, Ph.D.
Cornell University, 1975
Research Interests:
Animal Behavior and Ecology, Animal Population Dynamics, Applied Biostatistics, Philosophy of Research

Marion O. Harris, Ph.D.
Michigan State University, 1986
Research Interests:
Insect-Pest Management, Host-Plant Relationships

Mark Harvey, Ph.D.
University of Wyoming, 1986
Research Interests:
American West, Environmental History, Public History

Ron Hutchison, Ph.D.
University of Illinois, 1994
Research Interests:
Bioremediation, Phytoremediation

Harlene Hatterman-Valenti, Ph.D.
Iowa State University, 1993
Research Interests:
High-Value Crop Production

Robert R. Hearne, Ph.D.
University of Minnesota, 1995
Research Interests: Economic Analysis of Emerging Environmental and Resource Issues in the Northern Great Plains

David Hopkins, Ph.D.
North Dakota State University, 1997
Research Interests: Soil Formation and Chemistry

Tom Isern, Ph.D.
Oklahoma State University, 1977
Research Interests:
History of Agriculture, History of Great Plains

Donna Jacob , Ph.D.
University College, Dublin, 2004
Research Interests: Wetland ecology, biogeochemistry, ecophysiology and ecotoxicology

Dinesh Katti, Ph.D.
University of Arizona, 1991
Research Interests:
Geotechnical Engineering, Constitutive Modeling of Geologic Materials, Expansive Soils, Multiscale Modeling, Steered Molecular Dynamics, Computational Mechanics, Nanocomposite, and Bio-nanocomposites. Computational Biophysics

Eakalak Khan, Ph.D.
UCLA, 1997
Research Interests: Water Quality, Biological Process Development for Water and Wastewater Treatment, Stormwater and Non-Point Source Pollution Control

Don Kirby, Ph.D.
Texas A&M, 1980
Research Interests:
Grazing Ecology, Restoration Ecology

David Lambert, Ph.D.
Oregon State University, 1985
Research Interests:
Natural Resources Economics

F. Larry Leistritz, Ph.D.
University of Nebraska, 1970
Research Interests:
Economic Development, Resource Economics

Kenneth E. Lepper, Ph.D.
Oklahoma State University, 2001
Research Interests:
Quaternary Geology and Age Dating

Wei Lin, Ph.D.
SUNY at Buffalo, 1992
Research Interests:
Water and Wastewater Treatment, Hazardous Waste Management

John McEvoy, Ph.D
University of Ulster Northern Ireland, 2002
Research Interests: Cryptosporidium Virulence Factors and Mechanisms of Pathogenesis

George M. Linz, Ph.D. (adjunct)
North Dakota State University, 1982
Research Interests:
Avian Ecology

Mark Meister, Ph.D.
University of Nebraska, 1997
Research Interests:
Rhetorical and Critical Theory, Environmental Communication

Bakr Mourad Aly Ahmed, Ph.D.
Virginia Tech., 2001
Research Interests: Sustainability Indicators and Implementation, Carrying Capacity Measurements, Coastal Development, Built Environment and Natural Resources Conservation

Gary L. Nuechterlein, Ph.D.
University of Minnesota, 1980
Research Interests:
Breeding Biology and Behavioral Ecology of Birds, Wildlife Ecology, Particularly of Nongame Species

Paul J. Ode, Ph.D.
University of Wisconsin-Madison, 1994
Research Interests:
Parasitoid Behavior Ecology, Tritrophic Interactions

Peter Oduor, Ph.D.
University of Missouri - Rolla, 2004
Research Interests: Geographic Information Systems, Groundwater Flow Modeling, Groundwater Contamination

Marinus Otte, Ph.D .
Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, 1991
Research Interests: Wetland ecology, Biogeochemistry, Ecophysiology and Ecotoxicology

Laura F. Overstreet, Ph.D.
North Carolina State University, 2005
Research Interests:
Soil Conservation and Management,Soil Biology, Reduced Tillage Systems, Sugarbeet Production

Denise Olson, Ph.D.
Kansas State University, 1994
Research Interests:
Biological Control, Integrated Pest Management

G. Padmanabhan, Ph.D.
Purdue University, 1980
Research Interests:
Hydrology, Water Resources, Hydraulic Engineering

Birgit Pruess, Ph.D.
Ruhr- Universitat Bochum, Germany, 1991
Department:
Veterinary and Microbiological Sciences
Research Interest:
Microbial Physiology and Gene Regulation

Wendy L. Reed, Ph.D.
Iowa State University, 2000
Research Interests:
Physiological Ecology, Wetland and Bird Ecology, Environmental Endocrinology

David A. Rider, Ph.D.
Louisiana State University, 1988
Research Interests:
Insect Systematics, Biodiversity

Michael Robinson, Ph.D.
University of Nottingham, 1985
Research Interests:
Parasite Immunology

Bernhardt Saini-Eidukat, Ph.D.
University of Minnesota, 1991
Research Interests:
Environmental Geochemistry, Igneous Petrology, Economic Geology

Donald P. Schwert, Ph.D.
University of Waterloo, 1978
Research Interests:
Quaternary Paleoecology, Analysis of Fossil Insects

Dean D. Steele, Ph.D.
University of Minnesota, 1991
Research Interests:
Irrigation and Environmental Engineering

Craig A. Stockwell, Ph.D.
University of Nevada, 1995
Research Interests:
Conservation Biology, Evolutionary Ecology of Native Fishes, Human-Wildlife Interactions

Steve E. Travers, Ph.D.
University of California, 1998
Research Interests:
Plant Evolutionary Ecology

George Youngs, Ph.D.
University of Iowa, 1981
Research Interests:
Perceived Ethics of Genetically Modified Organisms, Sustainable Agriculture

Program Description

The graduate program leading to an M.S. or a Ph.D. in Environmental and Conservation Sciences rests on an integrative curriculum and a multidisciplinary team approach. The program emphasizes the common ground shared by all sciences, and seeks to bridge methodological and philosophical boundaries that might hinder interdisciplinary communication and cooperation. The program offers two tracks: Environmental Science and Conservation Biology. The Environmental Science track focuses on abiotic environmental issues, such as water, air, and land pollution, while the Conservation Biology track focuses on biotic issues, such as the preservation of biodiversity and ecosystem function. The interdisciplinary nature of this program is reflected by the participation of faculty from across the campus, including the Colleges of Agriculture, Food Systems, and Natural Resources; Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences; Engineering and Architecture; and Science and Mathematics.

Environmental Science

Areas of environmental studies, such as climate change, groundwater, hazardous waste, and water chemistry, require broad training across discipline lines for successful application. To better predict anthropogenic environmental impacts, the engineering, earth material, chemical, and biological data must be considered in an integrated manner.

Conservation Biology

Conservation Biology offers a new philosophy of looking at complex problems. This discipline focuses on the loss of regional and global biodiversity, but considers the human element as well in its approach to resource issues. As an example, landscape ecology, sustainable development, and conflict resolution are themes promoted by the field of Conservation Biology.

Admissions Requirements

To be admitted to the Environmental and Conservation Sciences Program (ECSP), the applicant must

1. Hold a baccalaureate degree from an educational institution of recognized standing.
2. Have adequate preparation in the desired area of advanced study and the potential to undertake advanced study and research as evidenced by academic performance and experience.
3. At the baccalaureate level, have earned a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.0 or equivalent.

The Graduate School will evaluate official transcripts of all previous undergraduate and graduate records before the application is complete. At the time of application, students should identify at least one ECSP faculty member with whom they wish to study.
Three letters of recommendation are required before action is taken on any application. Personal reference report forms are available from The Graduate School.

The TOEFL examination is required of international applicants whose primary language is not English. A score of 550 or greater is required for admission.

Students who do not meet all requirements for admission, but who show potential for successful graduate study, may be admitted under a conditional status. Evidence must be provided showing that their record does not adequately reflect the applicant's potential.

Financial Assistance

The applicant should contact a prospective mentor to identify sources of financial aid. Teaching and research assistantships may be available through funded research or participating departments.Applicants are considered on the basis of scholarship and potential to undertake advanced study and research. Contact the University's Financial Aid Office for information and applications regarding scholarships.

Degree Requirements

By the end of the first academic year, the student will select an academic adviser from among the ECSP graduate faculty and arrange for the appointment of a Graduate Advisory Committee. A Graduate Advisory Committee will consist of at least four members of the NDSU graduate faculty. The committee must include the student's adviser, two additional ECSP faculty members, and an appointee of The Graduate School. One committee member must be from outside the student's academic college. The plan of study will be prepared by the student, in consultation with the major adviser, by the end of the first year in residence. The plan shall be approved by the student's Graduate Advisory Committee, the Environmental Science Steering Committee, the department chair, the academic dean, and The Graduate School dean according to the regulations outlined in the NDSU Graduate Bulletin.

Master of Science in Environmental and Conservation Sciences

The total credits will be not less than 30 graduate credits, with at least 16 credits of didactic courses numbered from 601-689 or 700-789, plus the ECS graduate seminar for 1 credit, and research credits (798) not fewer than 6 nor more than 10 thesis credits. The didactic credits must include at least 1 ECS core course. All M.S. students must complete a thesis and pass a final examination as described in The Graduate School Policies section of the Graduate Bulletin. An overall GPA of 3.0 or better must be maintained.

Doctor of Philosophy in Environmental and Conservation Sciences

Each Ph.D student will complete at least 27 credits of didactic courses plus the ECS graduate seminar for 1 credit. The didactic courses will include: 3 core courses (9 credits), a minimum of 15 credits from a chosen track, and 3 credits of electives from the other track or other NDSU courses numbered 601-689 or 700-789. The 15 track credits must be from at least 2 course categories. A total of 90 credits are required. An overall GPA of 3.0 or better must be maintained. The plan of study must be filed in the Graduate School prior to scheduling the comprehensive/preliminary oral examination.

Core Courses

History of Environmental Science (Hist 634 or Hist 710 ) 3 cr
Rhetoric of Environmental Science (Comm 755) 3 cr
Environmental Law and Policy (ECS 770) 3 cr
Natural Resources Economics (ECON 681) 3 cr
Environmental Sociology (Soc 631) 3 cr
Environmental Management (ECS 740) 3 cr

Conservation Biology Track

Biodiversity 3-9 cr
ARSc 716; Bot 671, 672, 714, 717; Ent 750; Zoo 650, 652, 654, 658, 665

Ecology and Evolution 3-9 cr
ARSc 765; Biol 631, 640, 659 750; Bot 660, 762, 764; Ent 765, 770; Geol 640; PlSc 631, 737, 781; Soil 610, 640, 647; Zoo 662, 670, 750, 760, 770, 776, 784

Human Dimensions and Management 3-9 cr
Anth 650, 662; ARSc 656; CE 678; AgEc 680; Comm 755, 783; CS 750, 760; PolS 642, 650; Zoo 672, 674, 675, 676, 677, 750

Research Tools 3-9 cr
ARSc 650, 740; CE 677; Geol 655, 656, 660, 760; PlSc 724; Psyc 640; Soc 701; Soil 784; Stat 661, 662, 663, 665, 670, 730, 761, 770

Conservation Biology Track Total 18

Environmental Sciences Track

Water Sciences 3-9 cr
ABEn 664, 765; CE 610, 677, 678, 697, 776, 796; Geol 640; Zoo 670

Soil and Solid Waste 3-9 cr
ABEn 696; CE 672, 770; Soil 610, 633, 733, 783

Environmental Management 3-9 cr
ARSc 656; CE 672, 678; Comm 783; ECS 750, 760; Zoo 674, 675, 676, 677

Research Tools 3-9 cr
ABEn 682, 696; ARSc 650, 740; CE 677; Geol 655, 656, 660, 760; IME 660; Stat 662, 725, 761

Environmental Sciences Track Total 18

Preliminary Examinations for Doctoral Students

1. The written Preliminary Examination will cover the core areas for ECSP and each of the core topic areas for the appropriate track. The preliminary examination will typically be taken in the middle of the third year. The written exam must be passed before the comprehensive oral examination can be scheduled.
2. The comprehensive oral examination will be taken no later than the end of the third year in residence. The examination will cover the topic areas for the appropriate track.

Dissertation Research

A proposal describing research suitable for preparation of a dissertation in Environmental and Conservation Sciences will be prepared in the format of a NSF Dissertation Improvement Grant. Alternative formats must be agreed to by the Graduate Advisory Committee. The proposal will be submitted to the student's Graduate Advisory Committee for review and approval. The dissertation must show originality and demonstrate the student's capacity for independent research.

Program Administration

The graduate program will be administered by the ECSP Steering Committee. The committee will be composed of four ECSP graduate faculty members representing four different colleges: Agriculture, Food Systems, and Natural Resources; Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences; Engineering and Architecture; and Science and Mathematics. Four alternate members will also be selected to substitute on the committee when necessary. Steering Committee members, who serve overlapping three-year terms, will be elected at a yearly meeting of the ECS faculty. The ECS Program Director will preside over ECS Steering Committee meetings. The duties of the ECS Steering Committee will include 1) review of requests to join the ECS faculty and 2) program review and administration.

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Courses Offered

Biol 640 Microbial Ecology 3 cr

Basic, applied, and current concepts in microbiology and the environment. Also covered are the roles of microorganisms in maintaining environmental quality and the role of environment in determining microbial diversity.

Biol 750 Advanced Ecology 3 cr

This course covers classical ecological literature and current literature focusing on ecological research philosophy and techniques. Includes an overview/introduction of a variety of statistical methods for analyzing ecological data.

CE 796 Industrial Waste Management 3 cr

Regulations and standards on industrial pollution control, industrial waste characteristics, industrial waste management strategies, and waste treatment methods.

Comm 755 Rhetoric of Environmental Science 3 cr

This course focuses on the communication (rhetoric) of science and how disciplinary conventions and ideological commitments shape the language of environmental science in understanding "external realities".

ECS 740 Environmental Management 3 cr

Regional and global environmental issues, policies, and regulations. Integrated approach to control and prevention of environmental degradation. Methods for environmental data collection, analysis, and management. Environmental modeling. Environmental risk assessment, feasibility study and decision making.

ECS 750 Environmental Decision Analysis 3 cr

Quantitative methods for analyzing problems involving uncertainty and multiple, conflicting objectives. Topics include probability, utility, value of information, and multiple attribute methods. Students apply these tools to current environmental problems.

ECS 760 Environmental Impact Statement 3 cr

An analysis of environmental protection, legislation, biological, physical, and socioeconomic impacts. National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and related regulations.

ECS 770 Environmental Policy and Law 3 cr

Introduction to major federal and state statutes and regulatory programs that govern environmental quality, pollution control, and wildlife management, including legislative enactment, regulatory development, enforcement, federal/state relationship, and judicial interpretation.

Geol 660 Biogeochemistry 3 cr

An overview of how life affects the Earth's chemistry, examining interactions among the atmosphere, the land surface, and the oceans. Biotic mechanisms are followed via the global cycles of biologically relevant elements stressing human impacts.

Geol 760 Advanced Biogeochemistry 3 cr

Examines the nature of the interaction between Earth's biogeochemical cycles and climate, and how this interaction has evolved over time and will change in the future.

Hist 634 History of Environmental Science 3 cr

Acquaint students with seminal events in the history of environmental science that have influenced the course of environmental ideas, politics, and policy.

Zoo 750 Advanced Conservation Biology 3 cr

Covers recent developments in the field of conservation biology, with a specific focus on recent literature. Areas of focus will include Evolutionary Conservation and Conservation Genetics.