Contact Information
Dr. Richard Sinden, Department Head
Department of Chemistry and Applied Biological Sciences
Chemical and Biological Engineering/Chemistry 2206
(605) 394-1678
E-mail: Richard.Sinden@sdsmt.edu
ABS Flowchart
Faculty
Professors Fong and Sinden; Associate Professors Gilly, Heglund, Novak, Sani, Smirnova, and Zhu; Assistant Professors Kunza; Senior Lecturers Coble, Filipova, and Meyer; Instructors Christofferson, K. Gilcrease, and Marshall; Emeritus Professors Bang and Boyles.
Staff
Department Senior Secretary, Tara Huber; Chemical and Instrumentation Specialist, Darren Schwede.
Applied Biological Sciences
The Department of Chemistry and Applied Biological Sciences offers a Bachelor of Science in Applied Biological Sciences.
Applied Biological Sciences (ABS) graduates are rigorously trained in the biological sciences, with a strong background in the foundation areas of biology, chemistry, mathematics, and physics. The Department of Chemistry and Applied Biological Sciences offers both fundamental and advanced courses in biology and chemistry. Biology course offerings include Microbiology, Genetics, Molecular Cell Biology, Bioinformatics, Cancer Biology, Current Topics in Bioethics, Pathogenesis, and Industrial Microbiology. The Bachelor of Science in Applied Biological Sciences requires 120 semester credits.
The department prepares students for meaningful and productive careers in one of the diverse areas within the biological sciences including:
- Pre-Medicine, Pre-Professional, or Pre-Health
- Molecular Genetics
- Cancer or Biomedical Research
- Biomedical Engineering
- Biotechnology
- Environmental Sciences
Students wishing to pursue careers or graduate study in medicine, pharmaceutical science, biomedical technology, medical and patent law, or academic research can choose a premedical or molecular emphasis, rich in courses in microbiology and cell and molecular biology.
Students wishing to prepare for graduate study in biomedical engineering or pursue career fields such as bioprocessing or bioenergy can choose a biomedical engineering emphasis, which provides an opportunity to meld biology with world-class engineering courses available at SDSM&T. This emphasis involves academic preparation in various engineering disciplines, including civil, materials and metallurgical, or mechanical engineering.
ABS graduates are also well-positioned, with further certification, to fill the demand for highly-trained middle and high school science teachers.
Course Work - Classroom and Laboratory:
The department offers both fundamental and advanced courses in applied biology and chemistry. Most courses have an accompanying laboratory experience that teaches students the techniques and procedures needed to conduct applied biological research.
Independent Research:
Applied Biology is a hands-on discipline - not a spectator sport. Critical thinking and research skills are reinforced in professor-directed, one-on-one independent research experiences available to exceptional students. This experience is critical in preparing students for Graduate School. Nearly 50% of ABS graduates go to Graduate School, while more than 30% go to Medical or Professional.
The Department of Chemistry and Applied Biological Sciences prides itself in the 2011 opening of a new wing which houses state-of-the-art laboratory facilities and instrumentation available for cutting-edge research. In 2016-2017, a $6.5M renovation of the old Chemistry building was completed that provided new research laboratories for CABS faculty, a new teaching laboratory, and renovated classrooms.
For students interested in graduate studies, the faculty of the Department of Chemistry and Applied Biological Sciences participate in several SDSM&T graduate programs including the M.S. and Ph.D. in Biomedical Engineering, M.S. and Ph.D. in Materials Engineering and Science, and Ph.D. in Nanoscience and Nanoengineering. Students opting for a graduate degree in these disciplines have the opportunity to perform cutting-edge research to complete a Thesis or Dissertation in their area of interest. Accelerated Masters programs, in which students can earn a M.S. in as little as one year after completion of their B.S. degree, are available for the Biomedical Engineering and Materials Engineering and Science degrees.
The program also offers a Minor in Applied Biological Sciences .
Applied Biological Sciences Curriculum/Checklist
The following curriculum shows one embodiment of a path toward the ABS degree. The sequence of courses taken will depend on the academic preparation and career objectives of incoming students. Students should consult with an Applied Biological Sciences advisor for a more personalized course of study based on career goals within the applied biological sciences. It is important to note that certain courses have prerequisite requirements. Judicious selection of electives from the approved list will allow students specialized training in an applied biological sciences area, including microbiology, molecular biology, molecular genetics, pre-professional studies, or biomedical engineering.
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