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

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Dr. Lisa Baye, department chair

Biology Department

Email

Address

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

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Latest News

Undergraduate Commencement 2025
Liberal Arts and Support at the Center of Augustana's Graduate Outcomes

A newly published report by Augustana University shows that 98% of 2025 graduates — who completed degrees in August, December and May of Academic Year 2024-25 — achieved a positive career outcome. Many of these graduates chose to continue their education, with 22% enrolled in graduate school or professional programs.

More employment data, as well as other post-graduation activities and destinations for members of the Augustana Class of 2025, is detailed in the Career Outcomes Report published at augie.edu/outcomes.

#36 Softball
Vikings Rank Top 10 Nationwide for NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship Honorees

Augustana University student-athletes are not only excelling on the playing field, they’re getting it done in the classroom. In Academic Year 2024-25, three Augustana University student-athletes — Ella Bakken ‘25, Liz Dierks ‘25 and Ryan Hartman ‘24 — earned NCAA Postgraduate Scholarships, which recognize the association's most accomplished student-athletes.

Since 2018-19, Augustana is tied for the most scholarships won (11 in total) compared to all schools in NCAA Division II and ranks in the top 10 among all NCAA schools nationwide.

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.

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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.