The Department of Biological and Environmental Science in brief
The Department of Biological and Environmental Science is one of the four departments of the Faculty of Mathematics and Sciences and one of the largest departments in the Ä¢¹½Ö±²¥.
The activities of the Department of Biological and Environmental Science are wide-ranging, aiming at understanding the basic mechanisms of biological natural phenomena from the molecular and cellular level to the functioning of living communities and ecosystems. In addition to basic research, the research aim to find out the effects of human activity on natural environments and to think about solutions for the sustainable use of natural resources and to reduce the effects of human activity. The teaching is based on the research carried out at the department, and it overlaps a theoretical approach with practical training in both field and laboratory courses. The department educates researchers and specialists in the broad fields of cell and molecular biology, ecology and evolutionary biology, as well as water and environmental sciences, who contribute to building a sustainable society of the future.
In research, we are brave and open-minded, and we value wide-ranging interdisciplinary cooperation. The department's researchers conduct interdisciplinary research in cooperation with various actors, such as business and business life and the public sector (e.g. LUKE, Metsähallitus, SYKE), offering comprehensive and versatile natural science expertise. The department's researchers are also actively involved in the JYU.Wisdom network.
Research creates new research territories and the research and teaching environment is continuously developed. The Department of Biological and Environmental Science employs around 200 teaching and research staff and technical staff. There are around 450 students at the department. About 60 bachelor's and master's degree students and 10 doctorates in philosophy are graduated in each year.
It is important to understand the mechanisms of nature. Therefore a versatile infrastructure has been built for experimental research, for example terrain fences and aquariums in the Konnevesi Research Station, stable isotope and DNA laboratories to microscopes and molecular imaging. With expertise and infrastructure, the department is involved in many national and international research networks. In teaching, the international winter and summer schools annually gather students and researchers from different parts of the world.
Our researchers are also happy to present their research at various public events. The annual Researchers' Night gathers thousands of visitors to the Ylistönrinne campus in the autumn. The traditional Luontoilta (Nature evening) in the Konnevesi Research Station is arranged each summer to address nature-related questions and observations coming from the audience.
Mission
We provide significant world-class research and education in mathematics and sciences, training multidisciplinary experts with cutting-edge skills for the benefit of society.
Vision
Through experimental and theoretical methods, we aim to understand and control natural phenomena and apply the latest research findings to achieve a more sustainable society.