The Faculty of Biology is one of the oldest and largest faculties at Sofia University.
The mission and objectives of the Faculty of Biology are to study, research, develop, and transmit human knowledge in both the fundamental and applied aspects of biological sciences. This is achieved through the high scientific and practical qualification of all its academic staff. Additionally, the faculty functions as a national institution, setting standards in scientific and educational activities and forming the core of Bulgarian intellectual life.
The primary educational goal of the Faculty of Biology is to provide training for highly qualified specialists in the fields of biological sciences, biotechnology, and education—preparing teachers in biology, chemistry, and geography. This training is grounded in and aligned with the latest scientific and practical advancements.
History
Biological sciences were introduced into the educational and research programs of Sofia University "St. Kliment Ohridski" with the establishment of the Department of Botany in 1891 and the Department of Zoology in 1893. By 1904, there were four departments: General Botany, Special Botany, Anatomy and Systematics of Invertebrates, and Comparative Anatomy of Animals. These departments were part of the Faculty of Physics and Mathematics under the specialization "Natural History." In 1944, this specialization was divided into two separate fields—Biology and Geology. In 1951, together with Geography, they formed the Faculty of Biology, Geology, and Geography.
The Faculty of Biology became an independent faculty in 1963. At that time, it offered three specializations:
Biology, with sub-specialties in Botany, Zoology, Hydrobiology, and Ichthyology
Biochemistry and Microbiology, with sub-specialties in Animal and Human Biochemistry and Physiology, Plant Biochemistry and Physiology, and General and Industrial Microbiology
Biology with a pedagogical profile
The continuous development of the Faculty of Biology led to the establishment of new departments such as Animal and Human Physiology, Biochemistry, Microbiology, Genetics, Cytology, Biophysics, and others. This expansion attracted prominent Bulgarian specialists as lecturers and increased the number of enrolled students.
Today, the Faculty of Biology is not only one of the oldest but also one of the largest faculties at Sofia University. It currently has over 1,900 students and offers education in more than 200 different disciplines. The rapid progress in biological sciences worldwide has significantly contributed to the faculty’s continuous growth.
Each year, approximately 400 new students are admitted into the faculty's advanced three-tier biology education programs. The faculty's professors are distinguished scientists specializing in fundamental and applied areas such as molecular biology, cell biology, biotechnology, ecology, environmental protection, and biological resources. These strengths ensure the high quality of modern biological education at the Faculty of Biology at Sofia University "St. Kliment Ohridski."
The Faculty of Biology Building at Sofia University
The Faculty of Agronomy and Forestry (originally established as the Faculty of Agronomy in 1921 and renamed in 1925) was initially housed in the Spiritual Seminary in the Lozenets district. In 1928, the faculty moved into a newly constructed building on "Knyaz Simeon Tarnovski" Street (now "Dragan Tsankov" Street) No. 4, which is currently home to the Faculty of Biology.
At the end of the 1920s, the building stood out for its monumentality and distinctive architectural style. Designed by architect Georgi Ovcharov, the building abandoned the traditional plaster facade in favor of exposed brickwork. Its architectural design successfully incorporated elements reminiscent of medieval monasteries and towers. The spacious lecture halls and offices, an extensive library, and well-curated museum collections created excellent conditions for both faculty members and students.
The construction of the building was supported not only by the state but also by the Rockefeller Foundation, which provided 16 million leva by 1928 for the completion of the main structure and the furnishing of the phytopathological laboratory. The Faculty of Agronomy and Forestry also included the Central Agricultural Institute and the Central Meteorological Institute, both housed in a four-story building near the faculty (now used by the Sofia District Court and Prosecutor's Office). Adjacent to the faculty was the glass-and-steel Vegetation House, part of the Institute of General Agriculture.
Thus, a comprehensive complex of agronomic institutes was established in this area of Sofia. In 1998, the building was designated a cultural monument of national significance.