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Over the past 55 years, the Department of Biological and Environmental Science has grown into the largest department at the Ģ��ֱ�� and established its position as a nationally and internationally renowned research and education unit in biological and environmental sciences. The department’s high-quality and diverse research, networking with other universities and research institutes in the field, and continuous educational development have been its key strengths over the years. 

“As the head of the department, I am very proud of our staff,” says Professor Leena Lindström, Head of the Department of Biological and Environmental Science at the Ģ��ֱ��. “Our research and teaching staff are both innovative and enthusiastic, working collaboratively with our students toward a common goal. I believe these are the keys to our continued success also in the future.”

Environmental awakening shaped the department

The department was founded in the 1970s as a result of the increase in general environmental knowledge in Finland. The interest in nature has not declined but instead has boosted research and interest in the field.

“People have endless interest in nature and observing biological phenomena,” says Lindström. “This is demonstrated, for example, by both the extremely popular Nature Evening at the Konnevesi Research Station, which fills the place with nature observers, and also by the Spring of Migratory Birds application, which has thousands of users and millions of observations.”

The Centres of Excellence funded by the Research Council of Finland have also had a significant impact on both the department and the university as a whole. Among others, the Centres of Excellence in Evolutionary Research, Biological Interactions, and Virology have been active within the department. More than 15 years of funding for these have enabled the establishment of modern laboratories and the acquisition of essential research equipment.

“The first Centre of Excellence had a particularly strong influence on the department,” explains Lindström. “The Centre of Excellence in Evolutionary Research significantly shaped the department’s atmosphere by fostering shared thinking and the natural exchange of research methods between different research groups.”

Experimental research in natural surroundings

Understanding the mechanisms of nature is central to the department’s work. To support experimental research, a diverse infrastructure has been developed, ranging from fenced terrains in Konnevesi to aquariums, and from laboratories for stable isotope and DNA research to microscopes used for cellular and molecular imaging.

“Central Finland and our country of thousands of lakes have also provided an excellent framework for research, especially in the field of aquatic ecosystems,” says Lindström. “Our research covers the ecology and biology of aquatic fauna as well as fisheries, monitoring of declined fish populations and their development, as well as the impact of chemical substances.”

In particular, the Konnevesi Research Station serves as an internationally recognised center for high-quality biological research and is renowned for its experimental work in evolutionary and behavioral ecology as well as limnology. The research covers mammals, birds, invertebrates, fish, and mussels including the freshwater pearl mussel. The research station enables field experiments in the natural habitats of these organisms which would not be possible on an urban campus.

“A recent large-scale research project at the Konnevesi Research Station, located about an hour’s drive from Jyväskylä, focuses on the endangered freshwater pearl mussel and efforts to preserve its populations,” explains Lindström. “This extensive Nordic collaboration explores how the mussel’s ecological status can be improved through artificial cultivation at the station, while also studying, for example, the optimal conditions for its reproduction and survival in natural environments.”

The department as part of the Nanoscience Center and the broader JYU.Wisdom community

Although the initial impetus for biology likely came from environmental and natural studies, the department has from the very beginning actively developed expertise at the micro level, namely cell and molecular biology.

“Nowadays, thanks to the expertise and infrastructure of the Departments of Chemistry and Physics within our faculty, our research can reach the level of individual molecular functions, something that nobody could have envisioned when the department was established,” says Lindström.

Biological nanosciences involve groundbreaking research on viruses and the development of improved methods to combat viral infections, such as using naturally evolved antivirals. While the micro-level remains important, the department’s role in the resource wisdom community JYU.Wisdom has become equally significant. This community aims at building planetary well-being along with the understanding of basic natural phenomena and practical measures based on research knowledge.

“Because that’s the truth. Without the well-being of nature, our department will not see another 55 years,” says Lindström.

Students are part of the department

A key strength of the Department of Biological and Environmental Science is the close integration of research and teaching. Teaching is based on research conducted at the department and combines a theoretical approach with practical training in both field and laboratory courses. The goal is to integrate students into research teams as early as possible.

“Our students are involved in experimental research already by the time they complete their bachelor’s degree, which prepares them well for research in the later stages of their studies,” explains Lindström. “They also develop skills in environmental management and societal engagement from a very early stage.”

Graduate number 4000 will be rewarded

Experimental research, whether conducted in the laboratory or in the field, requires many helping hands, with students and doctoral researchers making up a large part of this workforce. By the end of 2024, the Department of Biological and Environmental Science will have proudly overseen the completion of 422 doctoral dissertations. A total of 2,271 Master of Science graduates and 1,166 Bachelor of Science graduates have completed their studies at the Ģ��ֱ�� and the Konnevesi Research Station. Through the graduates, the department’s research and research philosophy have been widely disseminated across various sectors in society.

“Altogether, the department has awarded 3,939 degrees,” says Lindström. “The 4000th degree is likely to be completed this year, and we plan to honour that graduate with a surprise gift.”

Table 1. Number of degrees awarded over the past 55 years