Department of Biology

Mission Statement

The faculty of the Department of Biology believes that a broad perspective is valuable for all areas of study within the field. Therefore, the department is comprehensive in its approach, including study at all levels of biology, from cells and microbes to ecosystems. The mission of the Biology department is the dissemination of biological knowledge (through classroom teaching and community service) and the generation of new biological knowledge (through research). This mission is embodied in six areas of scholarly activity, which include (1) service courses for non-majors, (2) the undergraduate program in biology, (3) the graduate program in biology, (4) faculty research and development, (5) service to the civic community, and (6) service to the research community. We seek a faculty composition that offers excellent teaching and research in all fundamental subject areas within biology, including teacher education. Our mission includes the following shared values:

Ethical behavior in scholarly and research activities
A broadly-based understanding of the natural world
Hands-on learning through laboratory and field experiences
Critical-thinking and problem solving through the scientific method
A climate that is supportive of diversity
Excellence in teaching and advising
Generation of knowledge through research by both faculty and students
Dissemination of knowledge through publication and presentations
Student involvement in research and internships
Student participation in university-based organizations related to biology
Student and faculty involvement in professional societies
Exposure of students to other cultures and ecosystems through study-away courses
Outreach to the local community
Collaborations and partnerships with private, nonprofit andgovernment agencies

Contact

Department Head

S. Alicia Mathis

Office

Temple Hall, Room 212

Phone

417-836-5126

Fax

417-836-4204

Email

biology@missouristate.edu

Website

biology.missouristate.edu

Faculty

Distinguished professors

Paul Durham

S. Alicia Mathis

Professors

Kyoungtae Kim

Laszlo Kovacs

Day Ligon

D. Alexander Wait

Associate professors

Babur Mirza

Debra Finn

Brian Greene

Sean Maher

Quinton Phelps

Georgianna Saunders

Assistant professors

Giorgia Auteri

La Toya Kissoon-Charles

Jay McEntee

Avery Russell

Instructor

Erica Cox

Adjunct faculty

Wendy Anderson

Daniel Beckman

Kristen Bouska

David Bowles

Katy Fredrick

Michelle Green

Seth Lundgren

Donald McKnight

Lloyd Morrison

David Penning

J. Daren Reidle

Gareth Rowell

Jason Steubel

Emeritus professors

M. Christopher Barnhart

Jerry Berlin

Loren Denney

Frank Einhellig

Janice Greene

John Heywood

John Havel

Roar Irgens

Don Moll

Richard Myers

Grant Pyrah

Russell Rhodes

Lynn Robbins

John Steiert

Thomas Tomasi

Robert Wilkinson, Jr.