Department of Zoology, University of Oxford

The Department of Zoology was a former science department in the University of Oxford's Mathematical, Physical and Life Sciences Division founded in 1860.[1] From 1 August 2022 its functionality merged with the Department of Plant Sciences to become the Department of Biology at the University of Oxford.[2]

Department of Zoology, University of Oxford
Merged intoDepartment of Plant Sciences
SuccessorDepartment of Biology
Formation1860
Dissolved2022
Websitewww.zoo.ox.ac.uk

Many distinguished scientists worked in the department at various stages in their careers, including three Nobel Laureates (Peter Medawar, Niko Tinbergen, and Sir John Gurdon), three winners of the Crafoord Prize (Bill Hamilton, Ilkka Hanski, Bob May), the Kyoto Prize (Bill Hamilton) and Blue Planet Prize (Bob May), as well as four winners of the Copley Medal (the Royal Society's premier research award).

History

The Department of Zoology was housed in the Tinbergen Building in Oxford, designed in 1965 by Sir Leslie Martin (who also designed the Royal Festival Hall) and opened in 1971, the Tinbergen Building was a large Modernist building housing over 1,600 staff and students. It was Oxford University's largest building.

In February 2017, university officials announced that the Tinbergen Building would be closed for two years and all research and teaching activities of the Zoology Department would be moved elsewhere. This was due to the discovery of more asbestos than had been previously known; too much than could be removed during necessary maintenance with the building remaining occupied.[3][4]

On the 1 August 2022 the Department of Zoology merged with the Department of Plant Sciences to form the Department of Biology. The Department of Biology currently primarily located in various places, including temporary accommodation at 11a Mansfield Road and on South Parks Road.[5]

The Tinbergen Building was demolished in spring 2020. It is to be replaced by a new £200m, 26,000 sq/m building, named the Life & Mind Building, scheduled to open in 2024. Planning permission was granted in early 2021. On completion, the building will house the Department of Biology and the Department of Experimental Psychology at the University of Oxford.


References
  1. "Zoology, Dept of". Oxford University Pocket Diary. Oxford University Press. 2014–15. p. 175.
  2. "Oxford launches new department to further bioscience teaching and research | University of Oxford". www.ox.ac.uk. Retrieved 15 August 2022.
  3. "Oxford University Zoology and experimental psychology buildings to close for two years due to asbestos". Oxford Mail. Retrieved 11 February 2017.
  4. "Asbestos find closes Oxford University building for two years". BBC News. BBC. 10 February 2017. Retrieved 1 May 2017.
  5. "Contact". www.zoo.ox.ac.uk. Retrieved 2 March 2020.


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