The faculty of Biology began its life as the Section of Biological Sciences of the Faculty of Sciences of the University of Oviedo. It was
created by order of the Ministry of Education and Science on July 12th 1961, but did not actually open its doors until the academic year 1968-
69, in what was the building of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, on which it depended for many members of its staff.
By ministerial order of June 6th 1975, the on-going dispute between the academic and civil authorities of Asturias and León was
solved by the solomonic decision to upgrade the old Section to a Faculty of Biology. Its rapid expansion made it necessary to divide
lectures between the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and several other buildings until it was able to occupy the first phase of the present
Faculty building (1982), which was finished in 1985. Today, the Faculty has excellent facilities reaching the high standards required
by both teaching and research.
FIRST DEGREE IN BIOLOGY
INTRODUCTION
The study of biology started in León at the then Section of Biology created by order of the Ministry of Education and Science on July
12th 1961, initially depending on the University of Oviedo, but which did not actually begin to function until the academic year 1968-69, in
the building of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, many of the teaching staff being from this Faculty.
By ministerial order, it became a
Faculty on June 6th 1975, and the increasing number of students soon made it necessary to use the premises of several other Schools
until the first phase of the new building on the Campus was ready, in 1982. This building was finished in 1985. Today, the Faculty has
excellent facilities reaching the high standards required by both teaching and research.
The present syllabus of this faculty lasts five years, divided into two stages, the first one lasting three years and the second
one two, there being two options: fundamental and environmental biology.
Today's Faculty could easily withstand comparison with any other in Spain, thanks to its excellent facilities, the good staff-student
ratio and its highly qualified lecturers.
AIMS OF THE DEGREE The degree course in Biology gives a good scientific grounding in the basic and applied aspects of Biology, including:
1.- The study, identification and classification of organisms, their remains and signs of their activities.
2.- Research, development and control of industrial biological processes.
3.- Production, transformation, manipulation, preservation and quality control of material of biological origin.
4.- Analysis of all biological agents and materials.
5.- Study of the biological effects of the production of any material and their control.
6.- Genetic studies and their application.
7.- Ecological studies, evaluation of environmental impact and control and the preservation of populations and ecosystems.
CAREER OPPORTUNITIES 1.- Teaching in secondary education and university lecturing.
2.- Research in public institutions and private companies.
3.- Hospital work.
4.- National, regional, provincial and local government positions
5.- Self-employment.
FIRST DEGREE IN ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
INTRODUCTION The degree course in Environmental Sciences was introduced in the University of León in the academic year 1995-96, in the Faculty
of Biology, with a view to replacing the old degree in Science and Technology of the Environment, which still exists but will soon disappear.
The present syllabus of this course comprises a total of 300 credits grouped into two stages of two years each. In the second stage,
students choose one of the following options: Environment Management, Environmental Technology.
The Faculty of Biology has been running courses on environment-related subjects since 1982, as the second-stage option of
Environmental Biology was one of the first to be introduced in Faculties of Biology in Spain.
The Faculty of Biology has a vast database and a great bank of material from its own research on the environmental diversity of the
province and the autonomous region, ensuring that it is in a position to apply its teachings directly to its immediate surroundings.
The teaching staff have drawn up many environmental reports at the request of private individuals and governmental organizations,
while the variety and scope of the research projects concerning the environment granted in recent years is also large.
AIMS OF THE COURSE The studies leading to the degree in Environmental Sciences give students a good grounding in the scientific and social aspects
of the Environment, while providing a specific orientation in environment and land management, and also:
1.- Assessment of environmental impact.
2.- Diagnosis of problems, environment improvement projects and conservation of natural areas.
3.- Detection of pollutants, their analysis and control.
4.- Analysis of wastes. Biological treatment and recycling.
5.- Bacteriological control of water, soil analysis, etc.
6.- Planning and exploitation of renewable maritime and terrestrial resources.
CAREER OPPORTUNITIES 1.- Teaching in secondary education and university lecturing.
2.- Research in public institutions and private companies.
3.- Design of projects for the integral management of liquid, solid urban, farm and industrial wastes.
4.- Drawing up projects of environmental impact assessment.
5.- Design of projects of exploitation of renewable natural resources.
6.- Drawing up anti-pollution projects
7.- Design, management and monitoring of sewage farms.
8.- Environment inspector.
9.- Self-employment.
WEBMASTER,June 1999.