The biochemistry and molecular-biology department at the University of New Hampshire, in Durham, has been enmeshed in controversy since its chairman was put on administrative leave following an incident last month that led to criminal charges, The Scientist reported on Thursday. According to the magazine’s Web site, John Collins, the department head, faces charges of disorderly conduct after he allegedly made threats about the university’s dean of research, Stacia Sower, who has called the police twice before to the department. The trigger for the latest incident was a parking ticket issued to Mr. Collins, but the dispute seems to stem from profound disagreements over research priorities and clashing personalities in the department, judging from the report in The Scientist. The university said it was investigating the matter. —Andrew Mytelka