Department of Biological Sciences

About

Chair
Chad W. Hargrave

Graduate Advisor
Sibyl R. Bucheli

Faculty
Sibyl R. Bucheli, Madhusudan Choudhary, Jerry L. Cook, Tamara J. Cook, James R. DeShaw, Anne R. Gaillard, Chad W. Hargrave, James Harper, Joan E. N. Hudson, Patrick J. Lewis, William I. Lutterschmidt, Aaron M. Lynne, Diane L. H. Neudorf, John Pascarella, Todd P. Primm, Christopher P. Randle, Joni Seeling, Monte L. Thies, Jack C. Turner, Justin K. Williams, Jeffrey Wozniak

Mission
The Department of Biological Sciences is dedicated to the pursuit and dissemination of knowledge and scientific discovery in the life sciences through innovative teaching and research programs. The department strives to instill in its students the philosophy of lifelong scholarship, producing scientifically literate members of society who have the knowledge to contribute and compete in a rapidly changing world.

Contact Information
936.294.1540

Website
www.shsu.edu/~bio_www/

Academic Programs

Biology, MA
Biology, MS
See also: Forensic Science, MS in the College of Criminal Justice

Highlights

The graduate program in biology offers opportunities for students interested in a number of different disciplines. Prospective students should visit the departmental website and identify faculty with a research focus that best meets their interests. Areas of focus among faculty within the Department of Biological Sciences include: molecular biology, cellular biology, developmental biology, physiology, microbiology, genetics, taxonomy, systematics, phylogenetics, evolution, and ecology.

The Department of Biological Sciences is located in the Lee Drain Building, which houses facilities including teaching and research laboratories. The Department of Biological Sciences also maintains an animal rearing facility, a greenhouse facility, an outdoor aviary, and scanning electron microscopy, molecular, microbiology, and flow cytometry laboratories. Additional research facilities and the Sam Houston State University Arthropod Collection, Sam Houston State Vertebrate Museum, Warner Herbarium, and Texas Bird Sound Library are located on campus at the Texas Research Institute for Environmental Studies. The department also operates the Center for Biological Field Studies, a 250 acre field station within 5 miles of campus that is dedicated to biological and environmental research and teaching.

Student Organizations and Activities

Beta Beta Beta (TriBeta) is an undergraduate national Biological Honor society. The organization was founded in 1922 and the Delta Tau chapter at SHSU was chartered in 1965. TriBeta is dedicated to advancing the understanding and appreciation of the biological sciences and encouraging/supporting undergraduate student scientific research. TriBeta membership requires: (1) a declared major or minor in Biology or related biological field, (2) completion of two biology courses (associate member) and one 3000 or 4000 course (regular member) with BIO GPA of 3.0 or above, and (3) an overall SHSU GPA of 2.75. Membership invitations are sent to eligible students each fall and spring semester. Anne Gaillard and Chad Hargrave serve as faculty advisors to TriBeta.
Sam Houston Association of Medical Oriented Students (SHAMOS) membership is available to any student interested in pursuing a career in the medical or allied health field. Activities include fundraisers, community service projects, blood drives with the Gulf Coast Regional Blood Center, and canned food drives. SHAMOS sponsors an outside speaker program to inform students of the opportunities and benefits of the various disciplines of the medical arts (e.g., general and specialist dentistry, general and specialist medicine, occupational therapy, physician assistant, podiatry, forensic pathology, and EMS). Madhu Choudhary and Aaron M. Lynne serve as faculty advisors to SHAMOS.
The SHSU student chapter of the American Society for Microbiology consists of undergraduate students, graduate students, and faculty with research interests in microbiology and related fields. The chapter hosts a weekly journal club in which scientific literature is discussed. Members are active in semiannual conferences of the Texas Branch of the American Society of Microbiology. Membership in the student chapter is open to all who are interested. Anne Gaillard serves as the faculty advisor for the organization.

The Biological Sciences Graduate Student Organization (BSGSO) was established by graduate students. The purpose of the organization is to foster the interests of graduate students in the Department of Biological Sciences, to promote and support academic and social activities of interest to graduate students, and to serve as liaison between the graduate students, faculty, staff, and other organizations. Membership in BSGSO consists of being a graduate student in the Department of Biological Sciences. Anne Gaillard is the faculty advisor for BSGSO. Visit the following website for more information on BSGSO: http://www.shsu.edu/~org_bsgso/

Scholarships

Academic scholarships are available from both the Department of Biological Sciences and the University to support student studies. The Department of Biological Sciences scholarships include:

Biology & Environmental Science Academic Scholarship
Claude McLeod Academic Scholarship
Emma Normand Academic Scholarship
James D. Long Biology Endowment
Patrick Neil O'Bryant Academic Scholarship
James Patrick Weber Environmental Science Award
S.R. Warner Academic Scholarship
Wilson-Warner Endowed Scholarship in the Biological Sciences
Roy Turner Scholarship Endowment
Everett Wilson Biology Endowment
Harold F. Foerster Scholarship
William R. Brinkley Biology Endowment

Departmental scholarship information may be obtained by writing to Scholarships, Department of Biological Sciences, Box 2116, SHSU, Huntsville, Texas 77341-2116 or by visiting www.shsu.edu/~bio_www/scholarships.html. Information on University scholarships may be obtained from the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships website at http://www.shsu.edu/~fao_www/scholarships or telephone (936) 294-1672.

Graduate Student Support
Competitive teaching and research assistantships are available to graduate students in Biology through the Department of Biological Sciences and individual faculty members. The Office of Graduate Studies and College of Sciences offers scholarships to graduate students to support travel to scientific meetings to present research findings. For details and application materials, contact the Graduate Committee Chair, Sibyl Bucheli, Department of Biological Sciences, Box 2116, Sam Houston State University, Huntsville, TX 77341-2116; (936) 294-1550; email bio_www@shsu.edu. Details are also available on the Department’s website at: http://www.shsu.edu/academics/biological-sciences/.

Courses

Biology (BIOL)

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