Brief information about the Biology Department

Our Mission

• To inspire and educate future biologists through comprehensive programs that emphasize:

• Understanding life in its complexity and diversity.

• Acquiring, analyzing, and applying biological knowledge.

• Conducting impactful research to advance biological sciences.

• Bridging biology with other disciplines to foster interdisciplinary learning.

The Department of Biology is one of the oldest departments in Bahir Dar University. Its history is linked to the Science Teaching Program at the former Alemaya College of Agriculture. It became part of the then Bahir Dar Teachers’ College in 1983 offering diploma program for junior secondary school teachers training.

The department began the Bachelor of Education (Bed) in Biology program in 1997; and with the establishment of Bahir Dar University, it became part of the Faculty of Education. With the reorganization of the faculties at Bahir Dar University in 2008, the Biology department became part of the Science College and is currently offering undergraduate and postgraduate programs in Applied Biology. Since 1997, the department has been under transformation not only in organizational structure but also in program expansion and staff profile. 

The Department of Biology launched its Master of Education (MEd) program in 2006. Then, the MEd program was transformed into MSc in Biology in 2008. After offering the MSc program for one year, the postgraduate program was refined into three streams namely: Applied Microbiology, Botanical Science and Zoological Science in 2009. An additional stream in Biomedical Science was introduced in 2012. 

The department currently offers the following academic programs:

~Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Biology, 

~Seven Master’s programs (Applied Microbiology, Biomedical Sciences, Zoological Sciences, Ecological and Systematic Zoology, Applied Genetics and Preparatory school teachers education).

~Five PhD programs (Applied Microbiology, Biomedical Science, Plant Biology, Wildlife Ecology and Conservation and Entomology)

Collaboration

The department has been collaborating with various universities in Ethiopia and abroad, particularly to strengthen its postgraduate programs.

Human Resource 

  • 3 Full Professors
  • 12 Associate Professors
  • 13 Assistant Professors
  • 8 Lecturers
  • 7 Technical Assistants

Laboratory and Research Facilities

• Four labs designed to support undergraduate courses.

• Six labs tailored for postgraduate studies and staff research

Department council member

  1. Dr. Tamirat Hailegebriel (Head of the department)……………………....Chairperson
  2. Prof. Mulugeta Kibret (Microbiology stream course chair)………………Member
  3. Prof. Endalkachew Nibret (Biomedical science stream course chair)……. Member
  4. Dr. Getahun Yemata (Botanical science stream course chair)……………. Member
  5. Dr. Getachew Beneberu (Zoological science stream course chair)……….. Member
  6. Dr. Bizuayehu Kerisew (Genetics stream course chair)………………….. Member
  7. Dr. Baye Sitotaw (Freshman coordinator)………………………………… Member
  8. Dr Negash Kabtimer (Remedial coordinator)……………………………… Member