School of Biological Sciences

The School of Biological Sciences was established on 1 January 1963. This followed from a proposal by the Professors of Botany (Crocker) and Zoology (Birch) to the Vice-Chancellor in April 1962 to amalgamate the Botany and Zoology Departments. [P131/10, item33] 

Senate approved the formation of a School of Biological Sciences, and the following steps were taken to implement such formation:-
(1) the title of the Professor of Botany to be altered to that of Professor of Biology, and the title of Challis Professor of Zoology to that of Challis Professor of Biology, such changes to be effective from 1st January, 1963'... [1962 Report of Senate]

The first Head of School was RL Crocker who was succeeded on his death in June 1963 by LC Birch [G3/187 personnel files; P131; P60]  [creation see: LC Birch Papers P131/10 (1960-67); G50/7]

The School of Biological Sciences and Molecular Sciences joined, with academics from the Faculties of Veterinary Science and Agriculture and Environment to form the School of Life Sciences and Environmental Sciences on 1 January 2016.