Welcome to the Department of Biological Sciences
Brief History
The Department of Biological Sciences might be described as both new and old. Its current configuration dates only to July 1, 2000 when the former Departments of Botany/Biology and Zoology merged into the Department of Biological Sciences. However, our roots go back to the inception of the university, when one of the initial four faculty hired in 1890, Henry Luke Bolley, was appointed Professor of Botany and Zoology. (Incidentally, Bolley was also NDSU's first football coach, and in some games when there were not enough players, he also played in the game.) In the early 1900's, the Department of Biology had Divisions of Botany and Zoology, with separate departments being recognized in the later 1920's. Subsequent to a 1959 Board authorization, the departments were able to participate in offering Ph.D. programs, in addition to longstanding baccalaureate and M.S. degree programs. Both units had a long history of involvement with undergraduate and graduate teaching, together with research.
Degrees
Currently, we offer undergraduate majors in Biological Sciences (including an option in environmental science), Biological Sciences Education, Botany, Comprehensive Science Education, and Zoology (including three options: (1) general zoology; (2) wildlife and fisheries biology, ecology, and behavior; and (3) pre-professional studies, cell biology, and physiology).
Master’s programs are available in Biology, Botany, and Zoology, and Ph.D. programs are available in Botany and Zoology. The department also participates in several interdisciplinary graduate programs including Cellular and Molecular Biology (Ph.D.), Environmental and Conservation Sciences (M.S. and Ph.D.), Genomics (Ph.D.), and Natural Resources Management (B.S., M.S., and Ph.D.).
Students
During the fall semester, 2003, we had approximately 500 undergraduate students and 45 graduate students in our department. Typically we graduate one-third of the students in the College of Science and Mathematics annually. Numerous courses at both the undergraduate and graduate levels are offered.
Faculty and Staff
We have 20 faculty members in the department. Faculty interests and expertise are in both plants and animals, ranging from cellular and molecular biology to population biology, as well as science education.
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