Research, explore and experience the study of life from the molecule to large biomes in the Department of Biology.
Biology is a natural science studying life and living things, from microscopic cells to complex life forms and expansive ecosystems. The study of biology is extensive in scope – playing a role in disciplines like medicine, archaeology and chemistry – and provides an avenue for scientists and researchers to study, nurture and explore life.
At USD, our faculty contribute cutting-edge research and insightful scholarship to this field, bringing their expertise to publications, conferences and the classroom. With a small student-faculty ratio, our undergraduate and graduate students benefit from personalized attention and the opportunity to conduct research alongside experts. In our robust research labs and facilities, you'll find students and faculty studying molecular biology, stress physiology and conservation biology as they find answers to pressing questions in our region and world. With innovative classes and many out-of-class experiences, our department prepares students to do research, practice and teach in a wide variety of careers relating to biology, as well as medical, professional and graduate programs.
University of South Dakota Associate Professor of Biology Jeff Wesner, Ph.D., contributed to a study that examined the nutrient and contaminant delivery by Pacific salmon.
University of South Dakota medical biology student Olivia Allen was selected as a 2024 EmPOWERED Scholar by the American Heart Association.
Bernie (Ming) Wone, Ph.D., a University of South Dakota Department of Biology associate professor, received a National Science Foundation award of nearly $300,000 to develop a cutting-edge genetic transformation system that could be used to improve yield and resiliency in crop plants.
Established in honor of Keith Nolop, M.D., a 1975 USD biology graduate, the Nolop Institute for Medical Biology enhances the experience of outstanding undergraduate students majoring in medical biology at USD.
Located along the free-flowing Missouri National Recreational River, the Missouri River Institute explores the natural and cultural resources of the river through its focus on research, education and outreach.
The Center for Brain and Behavior Research (CBBRe) promotes outstanding training of research students and fellows, feeding the pipeline of creative independent scientists in the fields of neuroscience and behavioral science.
Graduate students can apply to the USD-N3 program, which takes a team-based training approach to prepare graduate students for diverse career paths in STEM professions. Students receive training in the development of novel nanotechnology-derived tools aimed at both understanding the brain and potentially treating disorders of the brain. Our students receive tuition and stipend support, including an annual stipend of $34,000 for two years during training.
In the Department of Biology, our faculty and students are involved in cutting-edge research in molecular biology, stress physiology and conservation biology. From investigating the causes of amphibian declines worldwide to studying the effects of the environment on behavioral and physiological phenotypes, our faculty are contributing expert insight to their fields and shaping how we respond to and understand our world. Their research has been backed by prestigious grants from sources such as the National Institutes of Health and the National Science Foundation.
And our students are right there beside our faculty in the lab. USD extends research opportunities to undergraduate and graduate students, providing hands-on research experiences in individual labs and a variety of robust, newly-renovated facilities. Grants are available for student research in the school year and the summer months.
The Ph.D. program offered me opportunities as a graduate student to both teach and do research. For a career in academia, USD provides a useful combination of one-on-one mentoring and research opportunities that will benefit any student's goals.
Jazmine Yaeger
Ph.D., Biological Sciences, Neurosciences '17
Akron, Iowa
