Department of Biology - Brief history (back)

The Department of Biology (DB) is part of Faculty of Natural Sciences (FNS), Tirana University (UT). It is the largest single department within the entire higher education system in Albania, with an important role in teaching and research. It is composed of three Sections: Botany, Zoology-Ecology, and Genetics-Microbiology.

The Departments main aim is the teaching in biological sciences, not only in the FNS, but also in other faculties of the UT. The teaching staff comprises of 23 staff, 16 with a scientific based academic background. Together with Botanical Garden (BG) and Museum of Natural Sciences (MNS), the teaching staff has increased to 34 - 11 professors, 5 associate professors and 5 PhD doctors. About 80 teaching subjects have so far been developed, with 60 still in use today; about 40 of them are developed from DB in cooperation with BG and MNS.

From the outset, the main research topics have focused on the study of Albanian flora and fauna. Numerous doctorate theses have been sustained in flora and vegetation of various districts and of various types, i. e. pastures and meadows, beech, oak, pines, weeds, fungi, algae, etc. In animal fields there have been studies, for example, on echinoderms, crustaceans, insects, amphibians, reptiles and mammals. These studies have also contributed to important studies published already on subjects such as Flora of Tirana, Trees and Shrubs of Albania, and Diurnal Butterflies. During last decade’s academic research has also addressed issues on plant physiology, animal physiology, population genetics, development biology, the study of ecological approaches, biodiversity, habitats of natural and economic values and biochemistry.

The history of biological institutions began in 1946 when the Institute of Education was founded, then the foundation of Institute of Sciences; in 1951 the Higher Pedagogical Institute was founded, too. The main aim was the preparation of teachers for the 7-years schools and middle schools in subjects including biology and chemistry. The beginnings of research began in 1957, with the foundation of Tirana University in the FNS, with the 4-year degree in Biology-Chemistry. This was one important curriculum fulfilling the needs for the middle schools, fulfilling also the needs for biologists of various institutions. In that time, two chairs: Botany and Zoology were dealing with the teaching of the biological subjects. Soon after, BG and MSN were created, affiliated to the chairs of Botany and Zoology respectively.

From 1990’s, two other sections were established - Genetics-Microbiology and Animal Physiology dealing with both teaching and research. A few years later, conditioned by the new changes in Albania, the Department of Biology was formed composed of 4 sections - Botany, Zoology-Ecology, Genetics-Microbiology, and Animal Physiology. BG and MSN were considered as University Service Units, affiliated to FNS. Recently, the section of Animal Physiology was also integrated to Zoology-Ecology.

The present level in biological studies is also devoted to many other biologists that have previously worked in biological chairs of FNS. As such it is worth to mention professors K. Paparisto, M. Demiri, I. Mitrushi, Xh. Qosja, I. Zeko, L. Gjiknuri, etc.