Department of Biology
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Gary A. Heidt
Professor and Chairman
(501) 569-3511
(501) 569-3271 (fax)
gaheidt@ualr.edu
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Ph.D. (Zoology) 1969 Michigan State University
M.S. (Zoology) 1968 Michigan State University
B.S. (Biology) 1964 Manchester College
Research Interests
I am interested in the biology of mammals and have conducted research
in the areas of behavior, ecology, wildlife diseases and management.
Currently I am conducting projects on flying squirrels, pocket
gophers, and mountain lions.
Teaching and Research Philosophies
My teaching and research philosophies are intertwined as they are both integral
in the education and training of students. Student education is the one
overriding reason why we entered and have continued in this profession.
We not only have a duty but a moral obligation to provide our students,
both majors and nonmajors, with the best and most current information available
so that they will be able to evaluate information and draw sound conclusions
necessary in their daily lives. Intermixed with this we must demonstrate that
biology is both fun and rewarding. Further, I believe it essential that a
biology department provide their majors the competitive edge necessary with
respect to their chosen profession. Given the level of competition in our
modern society, this is often not an easy task and requires that each faculty
member be current in his/her field and use whatever modern methods available.
Thus, in preparing students we are also being educated ourselves.
Students should be drawn into and be active participants in the learning
experience and should be encouraged to freely express their opinions regarding
biological concepts. They should be trained in problem solving and critical
thinking. Lecture should not just be the handing out of facts but should also
include discussions and exchange of ideas. Laboratories and field experiences
provide a unique opportunity for the professor/scientist to provide the finishing
touches on the education of our students. It is in this setting where "hands on"
experiences provide lifetime learning and memories not gained from books and
lectures. It is also an opportunity for us to become better acquainted with our
students and thus provide information not easily transferred in a formal setting.
Personally, research has served a twofold role. First, I appreciate the animals
I work with and find that the knowledge I gain is both exciting and useful.
Conducting research is also an easy way to keep current in one's field. Second,
I have always made research an important part of my students' educational experiences.
This may range from simple project participation to the actual design and execution
of a project. It is, I believe, through this process that a student receiveshis/her
best educational experiences. I have further encouraged student participation through
paper presentations or attendance at scientific meetings. It is at these events that
students can more fully understand what the research process truly involves. This
experience also enables undergraduate students to see and meet faculty and students
from other institutions, which is itself a learning experience. And finally, I use
student research as examples in the classroom. I believe it makes more of an
impression on students if examples are from their peers and often, friends. In
response to my efforts with these undergraduates, I was awarded the 1992 Robert L.
Packard Outstanding Educator Award from the Southwestern Association of Naturalists.
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Courses Taught
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BIOL 2403 Zoology
BIOL 3409 Vertebrate Zoology
BIOL 4305/5305 Animal Behavior
BIOL 4309 Wildlife Management
BIOL 4404/5404 Mammalogy
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Publications
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I have authored or co-authored over 100 papers in both refereed and non-refereed
journals or books. A sample of my more recent publications are:
Heidt, G.A., D.A. Saugey, L. Chandler, and K. Stone. l991. Reported
animal rabies in Arkansas: 1982-1990. Proc. Ark. Acad. Sci., 45:41-45.
Caster, P.T., G.A. Heidt, and K.D. Stone. 1994. Faunal use of nest boxes in
the Ouachita Mountains of central Arkansas. Southw. Nat., 39:380-382.
Tappe, P.A., R.E. Thill, and G.A. Heidt. 1994. Small mammal communities of mature
pine hardwood stands in the Ouachita Mountains. Proc. of the Symp. on Ecosystem
Manage. Res. in the Ouachita Mountains: Pretreatment Conditions and Preliminary
Findings; 1993: 74-81.
Stone, K.D., G.A. Heidt, W.H. Baltosser, and P.T. Caster. 1996. Factors affecting
nest box use by southern flying squirrels (Glaucomys volans) and gray squirrels
(Sciurus carolinensis). Am. Midl. Nat. 135:9-13.
Elrod, D.A., G.A. Heidt, M.R. Ingraham, and E.G. Zimmerman. 1996. Distribution
of Baird's pocket gopher (Geomys breviceps) in Arkansas; with additional county
records. Proc. Ark. Acad. Sci. 50:52-54.
Majors, T.J., D.C. Brock, and G.A. Heidt. 1996. A mail survey to determine the
status of black-tailed jackrabbit, ringtail, long-tailed weasel, badger, and
eastern spotted skunk in Arkansas. Proc. Ark. Acad. Sci. 50:127-130.
Heidt, G.A., D.A. Elrod, and V.R. McDaniel. 1996. Biogeography of Arkansas mammals
with notes on species of questionable status. Proc. Ark. Acad. Sci. 50:60-65.
Elrod, D.A., G.A. Heidt, D.M.A. Elrod, M. Birdsong, and E.G. Zimmerman. A second
species of pocket gopher in Arkansas. Southw. Nat. 41:395-398.
Stone, K.D., G.A. Heidt, and P.T. Caster. 1996. Using geographic information
systems to determine home range of the southern flying squirrel (Glaucomys volans).
Am. Midl. Nat. 137:106-111.
Saugey, D.A., R.L. Vaughan, B.G. Crump, and G.A. Heidt. 1998. Notes on the Natural
History of Lasiurus borealis in Arkansas. J. Ark. Acad. Sci. 52: 92-99.
Elsken-Lacy, P., A.M. Wilson, G.A. Heidt, and J.H. Peck. 1999. Arkansas gray
fox fur price-harvest model revisited. J. Ark. Acad. Sci. 53: (50-54)
Witsell, T., G.A. Heidt, P.L. Dozhier, T. Frothingham, and M. Lynn. 1999. Recent
documentation of mountain lion (Puma concolor) in Arkansas. J. Ark. Acad. Sci.
53:(157-158)
Dickins, J.H., D.W. Clark, S.C. White, and G.A. Heidt. 1999. Survey of medium
and large mammals in an urban park (Murray Park), Little Rock, Pulaski Co.,
Arkansas. J. Ark. Acad. Sci. 53:(41-44)
Elrod, D.A., E.G. Zimmerman, P.D. Sudman, and G. A. Heidt. 2000.
A New Subspecies of the Pocket Gopher (Genus Geomys) From the Ozark Mountains
of Arkansas with Comments on its historical Biogeography. J. Mammalogy, 81:
852-864
Books or Manuals
Sealander, J.A. and G.A. Heidt. l990. Mammals of Arkansas: Natural History,
Distribution and Classification. Univ. Arkansas Press, Fayetteville, AR. 308
pp.
Payne J.F., M.L. Kennedy, and G.A. Heidt. l990. Laboratory Studies in Zoology.
Hunter Textbooks, Inc., Winston Salem. 210 p
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