Department of biology

Department History

The history of the Department of Biology at S. Amanzholov East Kazakhstan University dates back to 1952, when the Ust-Kamenogorsk Pedagogical Institute was founded. This year can be considered the starting point of the department's formation and development.

In 1953 the Department of Natural Science was reorganized and split into two independent departments: the Department of Zoology and the Department of Botany and Chemistry. During this period the Department of Zoology was headed by Lidia Sergeyevna Pashina, Candidate of Biological Sciences, Associate Professor.

In the 1958–1959 academic year the faculty of the natural-science field was united within three departments: zoology, botany and chemistry. Until 1972 the Department of Zoology was headed by Valerian Semyonovich Bazhanov, Doctor of Biological Sciences, Professor.

In 1985, as a result of the merger of the departments of botany and zoology, the Department of Biology was established. Its head was K. Zh. Sybanbekov, Candidate of Biological Sciences, Associate Professor.

Until 1992 the department carried out parallel training of specialists in the fields of "Geography and Biology" and "Chemistry and Biology," awarding the qualifications "teacher of biology and geography" and "teacher of chemistry and biology."

With the transition to a multi-tier system of higher education in 1991, training in the specialty "Biology" began, awarding the academic degree of Bachelor of Biology and the qualification of biology teacher.

From 1997 to 2000 the Department of Biology was headed by T. G. Vorobyova, Candidate of Biological Sciences, Associate Professor. From 2000 to 2005 the department was led by K. K. Burunbetova, Candidate of Biological Sciences — a 1994 graduate of East Kazakhstan State University in the specialty "Biology and Natural Science."

At various times between 2006 and 2014 the department was headed by Candidates of Biological Sciences and Associate Professors A. S. Sharipkhanova, Zh. T. Igissinova, G. Ye. Sadykanova, as well as G. K. Komekova, Master of Biological Sciences.

From 2014 to August 31, 2026 the Department of Biology was headed by A. A. Kitapbayeva, Candidate of Biological Sciences, Associate Professor. Since September 1, 2026 the Head of the Department of Biology has been Zhadyra Kanatovna Kabatayeva, Master of Biology.

The department employs its own graduates, who worthily continue the established scientific and pedagogical traditions: Candidates of Biological Sciences, PhD holders, and Associate Professors A. A. Kitapbayeva, A. S. Sharipkhanova, Zh. T. Igissinova, G. Ye. Sadykanova, K. B. Alipina; Masters of Biology and Senior Lecturers B. K. Karmenova, G. K. Komekova, and A. M. Akzambek.

An important milestone in the department's development was the opening of a master's program in "Biology" in 1995, currently implemented within the degree programs 7M01505 "Biology" and 7M05101 "Biology." Since 2018 the department has been training PhD doctors under the degree program 8D01505 "Biology."

In 2018 new degree programs were developed and approved: 6B08301 "Game Management and Fur Farming" and 6B01512 "Biology-Natural Science." In 2019 program 6B08301 was renamed "Forest Resources, Game Management and Beekeeping." In 2023 degree program 6B01516 "Biology IP," developed taking into account Finland's best practices and educational standards, was approved.

Today the Department of Biology is a dynamically developing academic and research unit of the university. Building on many years of academic tradition, the department consistently improves its degree programs, expands its research directions, and introduces modern pedagogical technologies. Its work is aimed at training highly qualified, competitive specialists in demand in education, science, forestry, and environmental protection.