Identity area
Type of entity
Authorized form of name
Parallel form(s) of name
Standardized form(s) of name according to other rules
Other form(s) of name
Identifiers for corporate bodies
Description area
Dates of existence
History
Instruction in the biological sciences at South Dakota State University began in 1885, with the first student graduating in the field in 1888. When academic departments were formally established in 1897, biology was not included. Instead, related subjects such as zoology, botany, and entomology were taught through various departments. A combined Department of Botany and Biology was established in 1966, but an independent Department of Biology was not created until 1980.
Today, the Department of Biology and Microbiology offers undergraduate curricula leading to a Bachelor’s degree in biology. Students may choose between two programs: one offered through the College of Agriculture and Biological Sciences (Biological Sciences curriculum) and the other through the College of Arts and Sciences. The programs are academically identical, differing only in college-specific requirements. Within the major, students may select an area of emphasis based on their interests and career goals. The Biology emphasis prepares students for a broad range of careers in the biological sciences. The Botany emphasis focuses on plant science, supporting careers in research and industry. The Zoology emphasis centers on the scientific study of animals and provides a foundation for fields such as medicine, veterinary science, and oceanography. The Pre-professional emphasis is designed for students intending to pursue admission to professional health science programs.