Biology Department

Interested in biology?

The Augustana University Biology Department supports scholars who study living systems and the biosphere with innovative research and laboratory opportunities. The department centers on exploration of the natural world, experiential learning and scientific discovery.

Faculty
Biology at AU

Biology at AU

Programs of Study

Related Pre-Professional Programs

APPLY
VISIT
REQUEST INFORMATION

Contact Us

Dr. Lisa Baye, department chair

Biology Department

Email

Address

Augustana University
Biology Department
Froiland Science Complex
2407 S. Summit Avenue
Sioux Falls, SD 57197

Social

Latest News

Dr. Chalmers
‘Can ChatGPT Think?’: Renowned Philosopher and Cognitive Scientist Making Stop at AU as Part of Nationwide Lecture

Augustana University is hosting Dr. David Chalmers, renowned philosopher and cognitive scientist, for a lecture entitled “Can ChatGPT Think?” on Tuesday, April 29, at 5:30 p.m. in the Froiland Science Complex, Room 113. This free public event will complete Chlamers’ tour of all 50 states. The lecture is the finale in a series of events intended to raise awareness about the brain throughout the month of April.

Study Away 2024
Augustana Students, Faculty to Explore 14 Countries During J-Term 2025

A total of 235 Augustana University students are choosing to make the world their classroom for January Interim (J-Term) 2025. Along with the students, 25 faculty members and five guests are traveling to 14 countries and two states.

Space Grant Student Research
Augustana University Awarded Grant to Fund Student Research, STEM Education

Augustana University has been awarded approximately $45,000 per year through 2028 to support key initiatives designed to inspire youth education in STEM-related fields in South Dakota.

show more

Biology Research & Grants

There are many opportunities for students in biology to engage in research. These include summertime on-campus or off-campus research experiences and hands-on internships at local biotech companies. These experiences have led to our students presenting at national conferences and/or co-authoring peer-reviewed publications.

Augustana supports research through several grants, including an NIH grant providing $500,000 per year for undergraduate research and new equipment.

Biology Research at AU

Biology Research Opportunities at AU

  • Local biotechnology employers — SAb, Alumend, OmegaQuant, POET, Fernson Brewing Company

          Biomedical Research Infrastructure Network (BRIN)

  • Biomedical Research Infrastructure Network (BRIN)
    • Augustana has welcomed 24 students, on average, every summer for the last five years thanks to funding from BRIN, funded by the National Institutes of Health. The biology department hosts 10-week fellowships each summer, where students work collaboratively with faculty to explore various research questions and use cutting-edge technologies in the Froiland Science Center. Department members also conduct field research and collaborate widely with regional and national universities.

         SD EPSCoR

  • EPSCoR
    • The goal of EPSCoR is to create strategic partnerships between federal and state agencies, higher education institutions and private industries to create long-term improvements in scientific research, infrastructures, R&D capacity and national competitiveness. Augustana faculty and students have a longstanding collaboration with this program.

          Sanford Research

  • Sanford Program for Undergraduate Research (SPUR)
    • Sanford Research offers the SPUR, which provides opportunities for undergraduate students interested in research careers to participate in research. Many Augustana students are alumni of this research program here in Sioux Falls.
  • Other research institutes | Students frequently apply to funded reasearch programs off-campus at world-renowned institutions and gain first-hand experience with cutting-edge science. These programs also strongly position students for matriculation into graduate programs at these research universities. Students have recently done research at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Harvard Medical School, University of Texas, Vanderbilt and the University of California-San Diego.