Exceptional Biological Research

The Department of Biological Sciences has an overarching research emphasis of “Environmental Adaptation: From Mechanisms to Evolutionary and Ecological Function”, which is approached from proximate mechanisms to ultimate consequences for evolutionary and ecological change. We have faculty with expertise in cell and molecular biology, as well as organismal and population biology. In addition, the local environment includes a diversity of climates as well as natural and human-influenced ecosystems, ranging from simple cropland monocultures to complex natural prairie ecosystems. This departmental research emphasis on environmental adaptation aligns nicely with emerging national initiatives, such as the National Ecological Observatory Network (NEON) as well as other assets in the region, such as the USGS Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center in Jamestown, ND.

Discipline-Based Education Research

Another major research theme within the Department of Biological Sciences is discipline-based education research (DBER) at the undergraduate level. Coupling three DBER faculty in the Department of Biological Sciences with additional DBER researchers in Physics, Mathematics, and Engineering, a strong collaborative effort at NDSU is aimed at better understanding the nature of student learning within and across STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) disciplines. This research contributes to growing knowledge in several areas, including quantitative reasoning, visual thinking, scientific reasoning and metacognition.

Faculty Research

Equipment and Facilities