School of Science Facilities

The Minnesota State University Moorhead School of Science has state-of-the-art labs such as ethnography, GPS equipment, GIS software, drones, human anatomy, physiology, molecular biology, intro biology, genetics, botany, wildlife ecology, microbiology, cell culture, NMR, GC-MS, FT-IR, UV-VIS, FPLC/HPLC, etc. You will have the opportunity to learn and research in a variety of sophisticated labs that boast essential tools and faculty expertise that will teach you how to be a scientist. Our facilities include:

  • Extensive aquatic research laboratory facility.
  • Repositories of reference materials in a regional herbarium.
  • Modern greenhouse and growth chambers.
  • State-of-the-art research labs for anatomy, physiology, ecology, genetics, neurobiology, microbiology, biochemistry and biotechnology.
  • 400-MHz nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectrometer is the single most powerful instrument used for identifying the structure of molecular compounds. Key uses: chemical research, biochemistry, pharmaceutical chemistry, polymer science, petroleum research, agricultural chemistry and medicine.
  • Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) separates all of the components in a sample and identifies the component of a mixture through a representative spectral output. Key uses: drug detection, environmental analysis and fire and explosives investigation.
  • FT-IR Spectrometer is one of the most common spectroscopic techniques used by organic and inorganic chemists. Key uses: unequivocally identifies certain types of chemical bonds in a compound.
  • UV-VIS Spectrometer is a highly flexible instrument used in nearly every laboratory. Key uses: content analysis of multicomponent samples.
  • FPLC/HPLC Automated Chromatography is used to separate or purify proteins and other polymers from complex mixtures. Key uses: biochemistry and analytical chemistry to identify, quantify and purify the individual components of a mixture.
  • Experimental petrology, stratigraphy and thin-sectioning, and geophysical laboratories.
  • Hands-on training with cutting-edge technology such as GPS equipment, GIS software, high precision GPS receivers, geospatial apps and drones.
  • Ethnography lab is the home to the Prairie Nations Research Group. The lab has numerous resources for a variety of research projects types, such as ethnohistorical research, geospatial ethnography, kinship studies, and Siouan, Algonquian, and Caddoan language studies.

School of Science Undergraduate Research Labs

Lab Location Description
Oceanarium LH 005 The Oceanarium is a center for discovering marine biology for research, teaching and outreach. It houses stingrays, a tide pool, reef tank, and soon, jellyfish, seahorses and an eel display.
Fish Research LH 007 The Fish Research Lab studies the behavioral ecology of antipredator competence. More than 60 undergraduates are co-authors on peer-reviewed publications from data collected in LH 007.
Chastain Lab LH 208 The Chastain Lab has two ongoing research projects related to interest in C4 photosynthesis. One of the projects is concerned with understanding the molecular and biochemical regulation of the C4 photosynthetic pathway enzyme pyruvate phosphate dikinase, or PPDK for short. This project is funded by a $149,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. A second project is part of a large prairie restoration project MSUM has underway at the MSUM Science Center. The project is investigating how grasses that use C4 photosynthesis may more effectively re-colonize the landscape compared to grass species that lack C4 photosynthesis.
Neurobiology Lab LH 222 The Neurobiology Lab studies genes that underlie the development of functional areas in the mammalian brain.
Solid State NMR lab HA 109 The Solid State NMR Lab studies the motion of atoms in new materials and determines useful characteristics of these materials.
Fish Biopotential Lab HA 310 The Fish Biopotential Lab is developing methods for studying fish behavior using voltages created from the muscular contractions of muscles. In particular, we are focusing on obtaining electrocardiograms of freely-swimming zebrafish.
Prairie Ecology Research HA 402 Most of the Prairie Ecology Research work is field-based in the summer. We are involved in an international plant ecology research effort organized by the University of Minnesota called the Nutrient Network. We have two "NutNet" sites at the Regional Science Center, and will operate them for a minimum of 10 years. We use the lab for processing plant biomass samples, and weighing fertilizer.
Microbial Pathogenesis HA 408 In our lifetime, our lungs get exposed to myriad of inhaled substances. However, the effects of repeated inhalation of these substances remain largely unknown. The Microbial Pathogenesis Lab utilizes mice and cell culture models to study histopathological, immunological, and epigenetic and gene expression changes to environmental inhalational exposures. The environmental exposures of particular interest include fungi (Aspergillus fumigatus), fungal toxins and immunomodulatory drugs.
Planetarium BR 167 The sky is the limit in the Planetarium! Potential research areas include science education, visual and multimedia arts, electronics, astrophysics, GIS, literary arts, sound design, etc.
Experimental Petrology KH 116B-C The Experimental Petrology Lab studies how the composition of silicate melt influences the chemical behavior of Nickel, Cobalt and other elements in the melt. Our results are important in understanding natural processes on the Earth and Moon and are important contributions to glass and ceramic industries.
GIS lab KH 103 The Center for Geospatial Studies seeks to advance the Red River Valley and the lives of its citizens by educating people to think spatially, training them to perform technically using geospatial technologies, and customizing and serving data and conducting spatial analyses to inform regional decision-making.
Regional Science Center Off campus The Regional Science Center's 400 acre prairie/woodland landscape provides research opportunities in: PK-12 science education, PK-12 teacher education, astronomy, biology, anthropology, geology, GIS and natural history.
Anthropology and Earth Science Library KH 223  
Multimedia Ethnography Lab KH 102 The Ethnography Lab is the home to the Prairie Nations Research Group. The Lab has numerous resources for a variety of research projects types, such as ethnohistorical research, geospatial ethnography, kinship studies, and Siouan, Algonquian, and Caddoan language studies. Directed by Dr. Erik Gooding
Archaeology Lab KH 115A MSUM’s Archaeology Lab has been involved in cultural resource management projects (such as surveys and excavations) since the 1970s and provides opportunities for students to gain hands-on experience assisting with building a cultural sequence for the region. The Lab has been involved in small- and large-scale projects in North Dakota and Minnesota involving federal agencies, such as the Corps of Engineers; state agencies, such as the Minnesota Department of Transportation; and municipal levels, such as the city of Moorhead.
Electron Microprobe Lab KH 115B Directed by Dr. Russ Colson
Environmental Magnetism and Geophysics Lab KH 116 The Environmental Magnetism and Geophysics Laboratory located in King Hall 116 houses soil sampling and geophysical remote sensing equipment for field studies as well as laboratory equipment for investigating the magnetic behavior of materials. The environmental magnetic laboratory is the first of its kind in this country dedicated to archaeological application.
Stratigraphy Lab KH 116C Directed by Dr. Karl Leonard
Advanced Geology Lab KH 118A Directed by Dr. Karl Leonard
Experimental Petrology Lab KH 118B-C Directed by Dr. Russ Colson
Intro Geology Lab KH 218 Directed by Drs. Russ Colson and Karl Leonard
Ceramics Lab KH 231 Directed by Dr. George Holley
Human Anatomy LH The Cadaver Theatre is a transformative experience in which anatomy students learn from their first patient about the human body. Each cadaver tells its own story about living life in health and illness. These cadavers are the true teachers of future healers.
Center for Geospatial Studies KH 103 The Center for Geospatial Studies is committed to showcasing GIS in inspiring events, engaging learners, helping others use and build GIS infrastructure and establishing dynamic collaborations. It seeks to educate people to think spatially; train them to perform technically using geospatial technologies; and customize and serve data and conduct spatial analyses to inform regional decision-making.
Prairie Nations Research Group (PNRG)   The Prairie Nations Research Group (PNRG) is a faculty-led year-round opportunity for undergraduates to undertake individual and group directed and independent study research. Research focuses on cultural and linguistic projects relating to the indigenous peoples of the Western Great Lakes and Prairie regions of the Upper Midwest. Student research and student-faculty collaborations have been presented at MSUM’s Student Academic Conference, the Plains Anthropological Society Conference, the Algonquian Conference, and the Central States Anthropological Conference among others.
Prairie Restoration Project   The Prairie Restoration Project gives you the opportunity to engage in faculty-mentored research with MSUM faculty as well as research professors from other institutions. Current research projects include diversity of microbial community, effect of habitat restorations to native flora, diversity of small mammals, seed viability and the role of soil nutrients in prairie restoration, large birds of prey use of the region, archeological study of post-glacial use of the site by humans, and more.