The college of science was established in 1949, it included 5 departments, among them were department of Zoology and department of botany. Then these two departments were joined together under the name of biology department in 1969. Postgraduate studies started in this department in 1966 for the MSc degree, followed in 1970-1971 for the PhD. Degree. The earliest graduated MSc degree were given in 1969-1970 and the earliest graduated PhD. degree were given in 1981-1982.

This department provides a BSc degree in Biology, for undergraduates, and MSc as well as PhD. degree for postgraduate students, in the fields of Microbiology, Botany, Zoology and Ecology.

The number of the teaching staff in 2008-2009 is 137, including 8 professors, 26 associated professors, 31 lecturers, 72 associated lecturers and 89 holding BSc degree. Thus this department with the physics department has the third number of the total teaching staff members in the college of science.

Twenty MSc students and 15 PhD. Students were graduated from this department in the year 2007-2008.

The department is trying to interact with society, through its activities in research that help in solving scientific problems related to pollutions, infections and diseases, agriculture, or by the scientific lectures that the staff held.