Biology today

From a predominantly descriptive science, biology has developed into an exact natural science, which studies living creatures in the natural environment with equal interest to the planning and performing laboratory experiments. We are now living in a world of the most fascinating biological discoveries that are rapidly expanding our knowledge of the structure and function of living systems.

Starting from the individual as a whole and the cells as the basic unit of life, biologists work with scientists from other fields of natural sciences to reveal the molecular and submolecular foundations of life, and to explain the mysteries of inheritance and the complex processes that enable the genetic records to be created in the numerous and diverse forms of life on Earth. Biologists also research higher integrational units, such as organisms, populations, communities and ecosystems. Furthermore, they are interested in learning how living creatures adapt to their environment, how they behave, and how they evolved from a common ancestor.

Scientific research

The research carried out as part of the scientific research projects at the Department of Biology is very diverse. The living world is investigated at the levels of cells and molecules (molecular biology, genetics, immunology, virology, cell biology), and at the level of organisms, from microorganisms to plants and animals (microbiology, botany, zoology). Intensive ecological research is carried out on plants and animals, and comprises both field studies and laboratory work. The aim of these studies is new scientific knowledge that is the foundation of technology development and progress of our society.

Biology careers

The range of careers for biologists is very wide. Biologists focusing on ecology take part in various types of field and laboratory research. In addition to performing scientific research, ecologists are essential in numerous other activities, such as construction, industry, urbanism, physical planning, energy and transport. Their expert knowledge is applied to protect nature and preserve the environment.

Molecular biologists conduct scientific and applied research in the fields of medicine, biomedicine, veterinary medicine, agriculture, forestry, food science, chemical and pharmaceutical industries, biotechnology and genetic engineering.

Masters of Education in biology and chemistry are entrusted with teaching biological content to pupils in primary and secondary schools. This is a responsible and noble profession, in which the greatest reward may just be knowing that they have expanded the pupil's knowledge and sparked their interest in biology. The educational role is of immeasurable value, as only well educated people can become free, responsible, tolerant and satisfied citizens of their homeland.

Regardless of their specialisation, some of the best students will dedicate their futures to carrying out scientific and teaching work at the academic level.

The integrated undergraduate/graduate study of biology and chemistry educates Nature, Biology and Chemistry teachers for the primary school, secondary professional school and gymnasium levels. Masters of Education in biology and chemistry are important for the functioning of education in state and private schools.

Bachelors of biology and molecular biology, upon completing the undergraduate study of biology, attain the knowledge and skills necessary to perform technical tasks relating to research in biology, biotechnology and other scientific branches. They also practically apply the results of research to the fields of industry, agriculture, biomedicine and health care, and in other areas where biochemical, biophysical, molecular genetic, microbiological and neurobiological knowledge and methods are required, and in areas requiring knowledge and methods of physiology, developmental biology, population biology and evolution, parasitology and epidemiology, plant and animal biology, ecology and nature and environmental protection.

The knowledge attained in the graduate study of biology and molecular biology allows for employment in scientific institutions (as researchers, assistants and scientific associates), in medical, pharmaceutical, diagnostic, forensic and other laboratories and biotechnological companies (laboratory heads), in agriculture and forestry, nature and environmental protection, as well as in state institutions and private enterprise.

Bachelors of environmental science are trained to perform complex laboratory tasks, while Masters of environmental science are trained to serve as the heads of expert services in national parks and nature parks, in the State administration for physical planning and nature protection, and in public enterprises for spatial management (Croatian Waters, Croatian Forests, Croatian Roads).