Part of the Eberly College of Arts and Sciences, the Department of Biology is a vibrant academic unit dedicated to the study of living organisms, the processes of life, and the intersections between organisms and their environments.
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Our work advances new technologies, shapes how medicine is practiced, and provides insight into human impacts on the environment. Research and teaching excellence are at the heart of what we do.
The Department of Biology at West Virginia
University was created in the mid-20th century through a merger of the departments
of Botany and Zoology, two departments that were integral to the original institutional
curriculum.
Throughout the late 20th and early 21st centuries, the Department of Biology has expanded its research footprint, particularly in emerging areas such as genomics, neuroscience, infectious disease, and environmental biology. The department became a leader in interdisciplinary research, contributing to regional biodiversity studies and health initiatives. Investments in research infrastructure, like the Core Arboretum, microscopy facility, genome sequencing facility, ecotron and greenhouses, and herbarium, have positioned the department as a scientific hub in the region.
The department has also maintained a strong commitment to education, outreach, and community engagement, training generations of scientists, educators, and healthcare professionals while serving West Virginia through K–12 science programs and conservation efforts.
The WVU Department of Biology is part of the Eberly College of Arts and Sciences and continues to grow as a center of research, teaching, and service with national recognition.
The Department of Biology at West Virginia University is dedicated to the study of living organisms, the processes of life, and the intersections between organisms and their environments. Our faculty, staff, and students engage in activities that promote discovery and the advancement of knowledge through inclusive and accessible education, high-impact research, and community engagement. By uncovering and communicating fundamental principles of biological systems, our work advances new technologies, shapes how medicine is practiced, and provides insight into human impacts on the environment.
Step inside the places that shape our department—from our learning spaces to research labs to field work. Discover more about our Facilities, Research, and Outreach.
Petri dish yeast art of Woodburn Hall and West Virginia mountains.