The Nature-Earth teacher training program was among the initial four branches established when the Teacher's Institute was founded in 1951, focusing on the training of biology teachers. Subsequently, in 1957, it evolved into the Department of Chemistry and Natural Sciences, and by 1960, it had transformed into the Department of Biology. Remarkably, the Department of Biology stands as one of the university's pioneering departments, having matured alongside the institution itself.
From its inception until 1993, the Department of Biology collaborated with the Department of Chemistry to train teachers in both Chemistry and Biology. Starting in 1990, the department shifted its focus exclusively to Biology teacher training. During the period of 1986-1991, the department offered programs for Biology-Geography teachers. In 1995, it introduced courses for Ecology-Chemistry teachers, and in 2005, it reinstated classes for Biology-Geography teachers. This rich history underscores the department's dedication to evolving education in the life sciences.
In response to the shortage of teachers in rural areas during the early 1970s, the department initiated an accelerated course for biology teachers, graduating approximately 400 teachers through the Biology Teacher Training Course established in 1977. Over the years, the department has successfully trained nearly 3000 teachers in various disciplines, including Chemistry-Biology, Biology-Natural Science, Ecology-Chemistry, Biology-Geography, and Biology-Health.
Throughout its existence, the department has prioritized the teaching and research activities of both faculty and students. This commitment has propelled the school to national prominence, particularly in the fields of helminthology and herpetology. More recently, it has achieved recognition as a leading institution in botanical and palynological research. The department's legacy reflects a dedication to addressing educational needs and advancing scientific knowledge in the life sciences.
The Department of Biology at the Mongolian National University of Education has fostered collaborative research efforts with scientists from esteemed universities and academic institutions in Russia, China, Germany, the United States, Japan, and Korea. These collaborations have resulted in numerous published works, showcasing the department's commitment to advancing scientific knowledge. Since 1970, faculty and students have actively participated in the joint Mongolian-Russian biological expedition, contributing significantly to the department's academic prowess.
Over the years, the department has been led by distinguished individuals, including Associate Scientist and Associate Professor L. Purev (1960-1963), Associate Scientist and Associate Professor A. Gochoo (1963-1965), Doctor of Science, Professor G. Danzan (1965-1990), Mongolian Professor and Associate Scientist H. Monkhbayar (1990-2004), Associate Scientist and Associate Professor H. Tumorbaatar (2004-2011), Doctor, Professor Ts. Hongorzul (2011-2014, Department of Botany - General Biology), and Doctor, Associate Professor M. Monkhbaatar (2011-2014, Department of Zoology-Ecology, Department of Biology from 2014).
The department has been consistently recognized as the first department in the school for its outstanding contributions to training and academic work, a testament to the collective efforts of department heads, academics, lecturers, and students.
