History:

In 1955, the Faculty of Natural Sciences separated from the Faculty of Physics and Mathematics and was established as an independent faculty. The first dean was Candidate of Chemical Sciences R.G. Omarova, who made significant contributions to the training of highly qualified biologists and chemists in Kazakhstan by raising the quality of lectures and organizing practical training.

In December 1955, P.S. Kravitskaya, Candidate of Chemical Sciences and Associate Professor, was appointed head of the Department of Natural Sciences.

In 1956, departments of Botany, Zoology, and Chemistry were established.

In 1964, an agrochemical laboratory was created within the Department of Agricultural Production, where agronomists from the Karaganda region received retraining.

In 1966, the Department of Zoology split into two departments: “Zoology” and “Human and Animal Physiology.”

In March 1972, the Pedagogical Institute was reorganized into a university, and the Faculty of Biology and Chemistry was divided into two separate faculties — Biological and Chemical.

From 1973 to 1976, the first dean of the Faculty of Biology at Karaganda State University was Candidate of Biological Sciences, Associate Professor R.A. Toktamysova. From 1976 to 1980, this position was held by I.M. Anapiyev.

In 1980, Associate Professor O.A. Abdrakhmanov became the dean of the Faculty of Biology. During his seven years of leadership, the faculty achieved significant success in various fields.

In 1990, the faculty began training in “Psychology” and “Geography,” increasing the number of departments from four to six.

From 1987 to 1991, the rector of Karaganda State University was Doctor of Biological Sciences, Professor A.B. Bigaliyev. Thanks to his support, on April 10, 1992, the new building of the Faculty of Biology was opened. The total area was 5,982 sq.m, with an initial estimated cost of about 3 million rubles. Faculty and students actively participated in its construction.

The development and formation of the faculty were greatly influenced by long-serving educators, including O.A. Abdrakhmanov, N.T. Abulkasymova, I.B. Alexandrov, I.M. Anapiyev, T.I. Aubakirov, H.Zh. Aubakirova, A.I. Akhmetzhanova, T.B. Balmagambet, K.B. Bekishev, G.V. Vishnevskaya, E.M. Gvozdyrova, Sh.B. Dzhumabayeva, Sh.E. Dyussekeyeva, T.N. Erzhanov, Zh.Zh. Zhumazhan, V.I. Kapitonov, M.K. Kozhakhmet, V.G. Kolbasinskaya, P.S. Kravitskaya, K.I. Kulzhanova, R.G. Meyramova, B.N. Mukhatchev, R.A. Pudova, N.G. Skopin, N.P. Slavchenko, Zh.B. Tarabaeva, M.K. Utebayeva, A.B. Fatkhulova, and T.K. Shaushekov.

Among the professors who worked at the faculty were Doctors of Biological Sciences: P.S. Kravitskaya, V.I. Kornilov, N.G. Skopin, V.I. Kalinin, A.B. Bigaliyev, N.T. Erzhanov, M.R. Khanturyn, N.K. Smagulov, N.M. Myrzakhanov, and others.

Students:

In the 2020–2021 academic year, the student body included 841 undergraduate students, 79 master’s students, and 33 PhD candidates. Out of 953 students, 627 were state grant recipients. Over the past three years, an average of more than 200 applicants have been admitted annually, with 10% being “Altyn Belgi” (Gold Medal) holders. Students come from various regions including Kazakhstan, Russia, Mongolia, Uzbekistan, China, and the USA.

Employment:

Graduate employment rate is 80%.

Faculty Staff:

There are 50 teachers, 60% of whom hold academic degrees. Eight faculty members have been awarded the national title “Best University Teacher.”

Educational Programs:

Multilingual education programs offered: 5B011300/6B1509 – Biology, 5B011600/6B01510 – Geography, 5B060700/6B05101 – Biology, 5B070100/6B05102 – Biotechnology.

Dissertation Councils:

There is a PhD Dissertation Council for specialty 8D05108001 – Biology.

Accreditation and Leadership:

The faculty’s educational programs are accredited by the Independent Agency for Quality Assurance in Education. In the 2020 national ranking, 4 bachelor's, 5 master's, and 1 doctoral program ranked among the top in Kazakhstan: 5B011300/6B1509 – Biology, 5B011600/6B01510 – Geography, 5B012900/6B01511 – Geography–History, 5B060700/6B05101 – Biology, 5B060900/6B05203 – Geograph; 7M01501501 – Geography, 7M05108301 – Geobotany, 7M01501401 – Biology, 7M05208701 – Ecology, 7M05108001 – Biology, 7M05108201 – Biotechnology, 8D051080001 – Biology.

Partners:

“Gerhard Katsch” Institute of Diabetes (Germany)

Laboratory of Structural-Functional Adaptation, Faculty of Biology and Soil Science, St. Petersburg State University (Russia)

Faculty of Geography, Lomonosov Moscow State University (Russia)

Institute of Complex Hygiene and Occupational Diseases (Russia)

Wroclaw University of Environmental and Life Sciences (Poland)

South-West University “Neofit Rilski” (Bulgaria)

Research Projects:

“Detection of the Philadelphia chromosome and Vitamin D levels in patients with leukemia” – in cooperation with the National Center for Biotechnology (Astana) and Ben-Gurion University (Israel)

“Flora and plant resources of Central Kazakhstan” – in collaboration with the Astana Botanical Garden, Mangystau Experimental Botanical Garden (Aktau), and Zhezkazgan Botanical Garden

“Cryopreservation and microclonal propagation of plant materials” – with the Institute of Plant Biology and Biotechnology (Almaty), Vavilov Institute (St. Petersburg), and the Institute of Cryobiology and Cryomedicine (Kharkiv)

“Introduction of medicinal and woody plants under conditions of the Karaganda region” – with Altai State University (Barnaul), Astana Botanical Garden

“Pharmacognostic, histochemical, and commodity analysis of medicinal plants of Kazakhstan” – in collaboration with Karaganda Medical University, Applied Chemistry Institute (ENU), and “Biomedpreparat” LLP (Stepnogorsk)

Notable Graduates:

Aibat Muzbay – Executive Director, Kazakhstan Wildlife Foundation; member of the IUCN SSC SULI group (Biology, 2018 graduate)

Alibek Bekmukhametov – Head, Ecology Department of Atyrau Region, Ministry of Ecology, Geology, and Natural Resources of Kazakhstan (Ecology, 2004)

Vera Voronova – Executive Director, Association for the Conservation of Biodiversity of Kazakhstan (Ecology, 2007)

Valentin Zhirkov – Director, “Biosphere Kazakhstan” Research Center, Zhezkazgan (Biology, 2006)

A.V. Kim – Head, Karaganda Regional Inspectorate for Forestry and Wildlife (Ecology, 2003)

Temirlan Maratov – Chief Expert, Committee of State Inspection in Agro-Industrial Complex (Biotechnology, 2017)

Kamshat Musakhanova – Head of HR, Emergency Department of Karaganda Region (Ecology, 2004)

Evgeny Protas – Head of Department, Karaganda Forestry and Wildlife Inspectorate (Biology, 2013)

Sergey Ryabtsev – Chief Specialist, Karaganda Forestry and Wildlife Inspectorate (Biology, 2013)

Asylzhan Tolegenov – Chief Specialist, Ecology Department of Kazkhimkontrax JSC (Ecology, 2015)

Zhansaya Shaizadaeva – Chief Specialist, Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Use of Karaganda Region (Ecology, 2015)

4. Alumni Association:

Established in 2006, the Alumni Association includes graduates from various years. It fosters partnerships between the faculty and the corporate sector.

Members of the Alumni Association:

Aibat Muzbay – Kazakhstan Wildlife Foundation

Bereke Akhmetzhanov – Occupational Safety Engineer, Karaganda Service LLP

Alibek Bekmukhametov – Atyrau Regional Ecology Department

Vera Voronova – Association for the Conservation of Biodiversity of Kazakhstan

Nurlan Erzhanov – Vice-Rector for Research and International Affairs, Toraighyrov University, Doctor of Biological Sciences

Valentin Zhirkov – Biosphere Kazakhstan Research Center

Kamshat Musakhanova – Emergency Services, Karaganda Region

Evgeny Protas – Forestry and Wildlife Inspectorate

Sergey Ryabtsev – Forestry and Wildlife Inspectorate

Ilyas Seitkaliyev – Head of Hydrology, Kazhydromet

Asylzhan Tolegenov – Kazkhimkontrax JSC

Contact person: Dean of the Faculty Serikbolat Aldungarovich Talzhanov

E-mail: bgf-olimp@mail.ru