A Bachelor’s of Science has been offered since the opening of the university in 1891, but the university did not have any specific “biology” classes for many years. Biology was nestled under the umbrella of zoology, which was first mentioned in the 1897-98 course catalog. However, specific “biology” classes do not appear until 1905, which were labelled “freshman biology” and “general biology” in the course catalogue. As of 2025, the biology department has numerous classes to create a well-rounded biology undergraduate program which includes: zoology, botany, human anatomy, cell biology, marine biology, genetics, & neurobiology.
Department Heads:
Eugene W. Gudger (1908 – 1921)
John Paul Givler (1922 -1949)
Helen Ingraham – Acting Head (1950-1953)
Victor Macomber Cutter, Jr. (1953-1962)
Edmund Berkely – Acting Head (1963-1964)
Bruce Maclean Eberhart (1964-1980)
William K. Bates (1981-1988)
Robert E. Gatten, Jr. (1989 – 1998)
Robert E. Cannon (1998-1999)
Anne E. Hersley (1999 – 2004)
John Lepri (2005-2008)
Stan Faeth (2008 – 2018)
Matina Kalcounis-Rüppell (2018 – 2020)
Malcom Schug (2020 – Present)
Department Names:
Department of Science (1892)
Department of Biology and Geology (1902)
Department of Biology and Physiography (1914)
Department of Biology (1916)