Dakota State University students walking around campus

Preparation + opportunity = success

That's the DSU equation. We're a four-year university with nationally recognized programs, cutting-edge facilities, and the brightest thinkers. But we're also a tight-knit, inclusive community. Small class sizes mean hands-on training and individualized attention. All this with an affordable, public school price that's among the best values in the region.

Majors & Degrees

Research

server room image
students in a lab

Pioneering spirit, transformative thinking

At Dakota State University, we nurture an environment that celebrates and rewards innovation. Both students and faculty have the means and the opportunities to be agents of innovation in South Dakota and beyond.

DSU researchers have earned national awards and recognition exploring new directions and germinating groundbreaking ideas.


“We have an emerging science department that allows students to start performing research early in their academic life.”

Sammy Drummond, Physical Science '21

Student showcasing their work at the Research Symposium

Research Week 2024

DSU’s annual Research Symposium features cutting-edge, creative, academic achievements and research by our students and faculty.

This event highlights the extensive undergraduate research opportunities available to DSU students through internships, research courses, experiences, and grant-funded projects.

Stop by The Beacom Institute of Technology in the Collaboration Center between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. to view 2024’s projects.

Download the program!

DSU Science Center

Undergraduate research

Dakota State University offers undergraduates of all disciplines the opportunity to partake in the most advanced research opportunities. These opportunities pose the biggest questions, require the toughest of research, and demand collaboration to advance their missions.

Consume research at an exemplary level. Work in modern labs with the latest technology. Improve problem-solving and critical thinking skills. Collaborate with peers and faculty who share your passion. Divulge in novel experiences. View the world from a new perspective. Embark on a research journey that will change your academic career.

Learn More

DSU graduate student researchers

Graduate research

Our graduate programs embed research in their core, giving students a deeper understanding of their disciplines. Take on projects like big data for future disease prediction, social media to inform societal health habits, or mobile computing applications to encourage self-managed health.

Work closely with faculty advisors and collaborate on groundbreaking research. Push the boundaries of your knowledge. Be a part of a transformative breakthrough. Elevate your career and discover the solutions to the world’s most demanding questions.

DSU Faculty researchers

Faculty research

DSU faculty members are dedicated individuals who push themselves and their students to be the best in their fields. Their research constantly advances those fields, hones their expertise, and informs excellence in teaching and service. Their work confronts national and global challenges. It fosters creativity and innovation. They share it through publications and other media. They maintain the highest academic and ethical standards.

Dakota State University's Madison Cyber Labs

MadLabs®

Since its grand opening in 2019, Madison Cyber Labs (MadLabs®) has become Dakota State’s hub for research, development, and economic opportunity. At 38,500 square feet, this first-of-its-kind dedicated research and development facility brought together generous public and private support to offer students, faculty, and staff from all four of DSU’s colleges access to the latest technologies, an open floorplan, and an array of different research labs – all fit to foster a collaborative atmosphere.

Our labs

Commencement graduates during the ceremony

Goldwater Scholars

Our student researchers accomplish big things. We are proud to say that two of DSU’s science students, Hope Juntunen and Vaille Swanson, have received the Barry Goldwater Scholarship, in 2017 and 2018 respectively. This scholarship is the most prestigious and competitive undergraduate mathematics and science scholarship award in the United States.

Barry Goldwater Scholarship

News

Students utilizing flexible seating options in Dr. Scott Klungseth's Exercise Science class.

Klungseth researching flexible seating in college setting

Pedal. Glide. Stand. Balance. These are a few of the options available in flexible seating classrooms, or classrooms that allow for student movement. While there has been plenty of research on flexible seating in the K-12 education environment, that hasn’t been the case in higher education, so Dr. Scott Klungseth, Associate Professor in Exercise Science at Dakota State University, is looking to change that.

DSU student David Siemienas pictured with a blue background that has dots connected with lines.

DSU student sees latest tech at trade show

Dakota State University junior Cyber Operations major David Siemienas attended the Consumer Electronics Show (CES), an annual trade show organized by the Consumer Technology Association, in January.

Vladimir Gasparyan with a dark blue background.

Quantum researcher to speak at DSU

Quantum researcher Dr. Vladimir Gasparyan will visit Dakota State University to speak about quantum mechanics on Thursday, February 22, at 1 p.m. in MadLabs.

More news

Contact Information

Research and Economic Development | (605) 256-5100  |  Email

Research Compliance, IRB, and Export Controls Office | (605) 256-5100  |  Email