Established in 1965, the Department of Zoology, in the Faculty of Science, aimed to train graduates with competency to teach Biology in Secondary Schools and to conduct research in government departments and parastatal research institutions.  Later, in 1974, the Department established two new major subjects, Marine Biology (MB) and Wildlife Ecology and Management (WE). It was during this time that the second epithet of the department’s name (i.e. Marine Biology) was coined, hence became known as “Zoology and Marine Biology”.

The Department jointly with Botany introduced the undergraduate Biology Programme (BL) in 1982; again, it was in response to the Government’s expressed need for prospective teachers for Secondary Schools and Colleges to study two appropriate teaching subjects at the University.  Since its establishment, the Department has trained many graduates now working in various Public and Private Institutions. 

Following the 2001 University-wide curriculum review, the Department reviewed all the majors to accommodate the new challenges in teaching and learning. MB and WE were renamed Aquatic Sciences (AQ) and Wildlife Science and Conservation (WS), respectively. In 2003, the Department introduced a B.Sc. in Wildlife Science and Conservation [B.Sc. (Wildlife)] to enhance both the quality of the undergraduate wildlife programme and make it more relevant to wildlife research and conservation. In 2008, B.Sc. Applied Zoology programme was introduced. In response to the UDSM’s shift in training emphasis and to ensure consistent and quality training at Post-graduate level, the department has introduced M.Sc. Biodiversity and Conservation, M.Sc. Applied Zoology and M.Sc. Science (Education) with the College of Education was introduced to train the much needed manpower in the country.

LEADERSHIP HISTORY - DEPARTMENT OF ZOLOOGY AND WILDLIFE CONSERVATION

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