The Department of Biosciences (previously Department of Biological Sciences) is one of the five Departments in the College of Natural and Applied Sciences, and yet is one of the four oldest Departments, that has been in existence since the inception of the then Faculty of Science in 1999. The current staffing of the Department includes eighteen academic members of staff, five laboratory scientists, and four administrative staff, who are engaged in a wide range of disciplines in the life sciences. The vibrancy and diversity of specialization of members at the department, provide a rich variety of research opportunities and distinct graduate and undergraduate degree programmes in Ecology, Cell Biology, Biochemistry, Evolution, Genetics, Microbiology, Parasitology, Limnology, Ethnobotany, and Bioprospecting.
The Department has been the center for innovative, interdisciplinary life sciences research, and teaching. We have been committed to providing students with a broad exposure to the structure and functions of biological molecules, different biological processes and systems, and a deep understanding of biology at environmental, organismal, cellular, and molecular levels. Our teaching and research interests has spaned all levels of biological organization, from molecules to entire global ecosystems. Courses and research opportunities comprise basic and applied sciences available in Biochemistry, Structural Biology, Zoology, Cell Biology, Genetics, Genomics, Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Computational Biology, Evolutionary Biology, Ecology and Ecosystem Management and Conservation, Developmental Biology, Anatomy and Physiology, Microbiology, Parasitology, Entomology, and Environmental Toxicology. This cross-disciplinary approach to life sciences, performed within a collegial, interactive atmosphere has enabled discoveries that impact every major field of biological sciences, from biomedicine to evolution and the natural environment. We are proud of our longstanding experience and expertise in imparting biological science educational leadership to our students. The biological courses we teach across programmes at the University exploit the breadth and depth of our staff’s research expertise and outstanding teaching and mentoring skills.
One of the primary goals of the Department of Biosciences has been to provide enhanced interdisciplinary educational opportunities and improved research collaborations, both within the biological sciences and where our work intersects complements with that of our colleagues in the School of Education, and Departments of Chemistry and Physics, Geography and Environmental Studies, Statistics and Mathematics, and Informatics and Information Technology in the College of Natural and Applied Sciences or other Colleges and Schools of the Sokoine University of Agriculture and beyond. Working together across disciplines, we have addressed some of the most pressing scientific issues facing our society. We invite you to explore our research and teaching potential to get a sense of the exciting learning and discovery opportunities in the Department of Biosciences at the College of Natural and Applied Sciences of the Sokoine University of Agriculture.
Vision
To be a Centre of excellence in teaching and offering professional services related to biosciences.
Mission
To be a world-renowned member of the scientific community by promoting development through training, research, consultancy, and delivery of services in the area of biosciences.