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Instructor
Department of Biology and Microbiology
South Dakota State University

Education:
Ph.D., Genetics, Indiana University
B.S., Genetics & Cell Biology, University of Minnesota

Professional Background:

Research:  My research experience is in genetics, molecular biology, and microbiology.  At Indiana University, my research examined the molecular mechanisms that plants utilize to confer resistance to pathogens.  I cloned a resistance gene called RPS5 and identified three genes involved in the process of disease resistance.  I conducted postdoctoral research at Kansas State University.  This work was supported by a USDA grant and focused on a class of transcription factors in plants whose expression is induced by pathogen infection.

Teaching:  I have been teaching at University Center since 2007.  Previously, I taught General Biology and Microbiology as an adjunct at SDSM&T.  I was an Associate Instructor for the Genetics Laboratory at Indiana University.

Courses:  I currently teach the biology survey courses at University Center.

BIOL 101/101L - Biology Survey I - Study of the nature, diversity, and classification of life, ecology, cells and cell cycles, Mendelian and modern genetics, evolution and evolution theory.  Intended for those not majoring in Biology.  

BIOL 103/103L - Biology Survey II  - Study of energetics; plant growth; development and reproduction; animal structure and function.  Intended for those not majoring in Biology.

Required Materials:  2009-2010 ACADEMIC YEAR

Access to Desire2Learn

Textbook: 

Lab Manual:           

TurningPoint Clickers: 

All materials will be available at the University Center bookstore

Student Success:

Yes, you can succeed in a biology course at University Center.

This is a survey course so we do cover a significant amount of material.  Many terms and concepts may be unfamiliar, particularly if it has been awhile since your last science course.  University Center provides links to websites that provide advice on studying and preparing for exams.  Opportunities to hear advice from peer-advisors are also periodically presented throughout the year.

The better you understand the material the higher the likelihood that you will perform well on exams.

Read the textbook:  Read for understanding, not as you would a novel.  Read one section at a time.  Examine the figures and determine how well you understand them.  Imagine someone asks you to explain what you just read.  Could you describe the material to them such that he or she would understand you?

Study the notes:  Exam questions will be derived from the material we discuss in class.  Brute memorization is certainly a strategy, but understanding will serve you better.  Ask yourself what qualifies as important information in the notes.  Make up potential questions and test yourself.  Avail yourself of the opportunity to answer any provided sample questions or quizzes.  This will provide feedback on what concepts you understand well and what concepts that you need to work on.

Science in news/culture:      Contact Information:
sciencedaily                                    Mail:  4801 N Career Avenue, Sioux Falls, SD  57107
scienceblogs                                   Office:  Rm. 168-South
discover blogs                                 E-mail:  Randall.Warren@sduniversity.org
                                                        Phone:  605-367-8383