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Biology History & Mission

Learn about the history of the Biology Department at the University of Mississippi.

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Biology at the University of Mississippi

Learn about the history of the Biology Department, starting with the first biology courses taught in 1872.

See the current mission and vision for our students today.

Our Mission

To promote improved understanding of living systems and the empowerment of people through effective and inclusive education, and innovative, curiosity-driven research.

Our Vision

To build a diverse community of people united by the goal of building a sustainable society through discovery and education of the interconnectedness of life.

Department History

Although the University of Mississippi began offering classes in 1848, there was no provision in the curriculum to include biology until 1870 when the Department of Science, Literature and the Arts was established with one botany and zoology professor.

The first biology classes were taught in the Lyceum in 1872 and focused on botany. In 1903 the medical school was founded and the biology curriculum centered around premedical education. In 1956 the medical school moved from Oxford to Jackson and the Department of Biology became the sole occupant of the science building, which was located west of where Shoemaker Hall stands today and in front of Hume Hall. In 1963, Shoemaker Hall was built to house the Department of Biology and the science building was demolished.

The University of Mississippi Field Station, 550 acres of an unusual combination of terrain, vegetation, and water resources located six miles northeast of campus, was obtained by the university in 1985, and the Department of Biology played a substantial role in its initial and ongoing operations.

Today, the Department of Biology offers diverse and adaptive teaching and research programs to meet the needs of undergraduate and graduate students.

Our Core Values

We encourage being curious and asking questions, big or small. If you already know the answer, you might not be asking the right question. If you do not know the answer, do the research and find the answer. Though the journey requires hard thought and work, developing a scientific mind is possible for all.

We believe in sharing our experiences as scientists and leading by example. We strive to encourage breadth across biology and biologists, as this raises new questions that can be asked and offer new tools that can be applied. We encourage depth, as this will sharpen those questions, and imagination, as this will lead to true innovation.

Each student is unique, as is each journey to becoming a scientist. Our students are empowered to grow in knowledge and skills by our patience, encouragement, and flexibility, and by our multiple pedagogical approaches.

We believe that our students’ inquisitiveness will last long beyond their time with us. We strive to initiate innovative learning experiences, including finding educators who are as passionate and enthusiastic about their students as they are their subject. It is our hope that our students will take these challenging and enlightening learning opportunities with them through their futures.

Much like diversity within any living system, diversity within our department brings vivacity, strength, and resilience. Our diverse experiences, perspectives, and approaches stimulate new ideas and innovation that expand the boundaries of biological knowledge.