Enhance your education in the sciences with the NSU Organismal Biology Certificate.
About The Program
Northern's Certificate in Organismal Biology, a branch of biology that's concerned with all aspects of the life of organisms, will enhance and broaden your education in the sciences.
Contact Information
For more information, contact Jessica Ness, or call 605-626-2272 or 605-626-7900. Or, contact NSU Admissions at 605-626-2544 or admissions@northern.edu.
Our Faculty
Ph.D. Portland State University
B.A. University of Oregon
Dr. Amy Dolan joined Northern's faculty in 2018. She grew up on a homestead in Nikiski, Alaska. Dr. Dolan attended the University of Oregon and graduated with a bachelor's degree in biology and Spanish. She went on to earn a Ph.D. in biology at Portland State University, studying genetics, reproductive biology, mate choice, and reproductive success of eastern kingbirds. Dr. Dolan lives on a farm with her husband Ryan, and their three children: Oliver, Ruthie, and Zet.
Courses Taught
Biology Survey
General Biology
Environmental Biology
Human Biology
Anatomy
Gross Anatomy
Bioethics
Hematology
Histology
Publications
Christopher M, Chutter, Lucas J. Redmond, Nathan W. Cooper, Amy C…
Ph.D. Montana State University
M.S. Montana State University
B.S. State University of New York
Dr. John Long joined the science and mathematics department at Northern in May 2015. He received a Ph.D. in ecology and environmental sciences from Montana State University in 2014; an M.S. in ecological and environmental statistics from Montana State University in 2011; and a B.S. in applied mathematics from State University of New York in 2008.
Courses Taught
Biological Statistics I
Biological Statistics II
Introduction to Physics I
Introduction to Physics II
Geographic Information Systems (GIS) I
Geographic Infromation Systems (GIS) II
Remote Sensing
Biogeography
Research Interests
Dr. Long's…
Ph.D. University of Southern Mississippi
M.S. University of North Dakota
B.S. University of North Dakota
Dr. Eric Pulis joined Northern's faculty in 2018. Originally from central Minnesota, he attended the University of North Dakota, where he received his B.S. in fisheries and wildlife biology and his M.S. in biology. Dr. Pulis earned his Ph.D. at the University of Southern Mississippi's Gulf Coast Research Laboratory in Coastal Sciences, where his research focused on the taxonomy and systematics of some parasitic flat worms found in fishes. He is currently the advisor for the NSU Environmental Club.
Research Interests
Dr. Pulis's primary research interests are in the ecology, evolution, and diversity of parasites of wildlife and fishes.…
Ph.D. University of South Dakota
M.S. North Dakota State University
B.S. North Dakota State University
Dr. Jodie Ramsay started at NSU in 2001. Her area of expertise is plant science. She grew up in Minnesota and spends much of the summer there, where she co-owns a greenhouse. Dr. Ramsay is the director of NSU Regional Science Fair and serves as the faculty mentor for Rising Scholar (dual credit) biology courses taught across eastern South Dakota.
Courses Taught
Biogeography
Ecology
Environmental Biology
Environmental Science and Conservation
Freshman Seminar
General Biology I
General Biology II
Plants and Civilization
Plant Structure and Function
Plant Systematics
Senior Seminar
Soils and the Environment
…