Department of Biological Sciences

Historical State Timelines
Department of Biological Sciences
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1890s

circa 1890 Zoology courses offered

Courses with content in zoology were first offered.

1890 Microbiology curriculum established

Microbiology courses became a part of the curricula in the zoology and botany departments.

1900s

1901 Biological Division created

The Biological Division was created with coursework devoted entirely to plant pathology.

1902 First woman hired as faculty member

Adeline Stevens, the wife of Frank Lincoln Stevens, became the first woman faculty member as an instructor in biology during the 1902-1903 academic year.

1910s

1912 Department of Zoology and Entomology established
1912-1950 Zeno P. Metcalf served as head of the Department of Zoology and Entomology
Zeno P. Metcalf portraitZeno P. Metcalf portrait

1930s

1930 Genetics curriculum established

Genetics curriculum was taught as a component of coursework in the agronomy, zoology, and plant pathology departments.

1933 First woman graduated with MS in biology

Maud K. Schaub became the first woman to earn a MS in biology.

1950s

1950 Division of Biological Sciences established

The Division of Biological Sciences was established. The Department of Entomology and Zoology were placed in the division and separated into two programs: the Department of Zoology and the Department of Entomology.

1951-1963 Frederick S. Barkalow served as head of the Department of Zoology
Portrait of Frederick S. BarkalowPortrait of Frederick S. Barkalow
1952 Department of Zoology moved

The Department of Zoology moved to Gardner Hall.

Gardner Hall, aerial viewGardner Hall, aerial view
1957 Undergraduate degree in zoology first offered

1960s

1963-1967 Bernard S. Martof served as head of the Department of Zoology
Bernard Stephen MartofBernard Stephen Martof
1967-1975 David E. Davis served as head of the Department of Zoology
Dr. David E. Davis portraitDr. David E. Davis portrait

1970s

1977-1991 John G. Vandenbergh served as head of the Department of Zoology
1978 Department of Zoology history written

Reinard Harkema wrote A Concise History of the Department of Zoology, North Carolina State University at Raleigh (1887-1977). A print edition exists in the library.

1990s

1991-1996 Harold F. Heatwole served as head of the Department of Zoology

2000s

2008 Department of Zoology renamed

The Department of Zoology was renamed the Department of Biology.

2010s

2013 Department of Biology was renamed

The Department of Biology was renamed the Department of Biological Sciences.

2018-2024 Carolyn Mattingly served as as head of the Department of Biological Sciences

2020s

2024 Bruce Schulte became head of the Department of Biological Sciences