History of Biology & Marine Science

at the
University of Auckland

The following timeline lists the main milestones in the teaching and study of Biology and Marine Science at the University of Auckland. It was adapted from the publication A History of Biology at Auckland University 1883-1983 authored by Brian Foster, Jack Rattenbury and John Marbrook, as originally compiled for the centenary celebrations of the University of Auckland in 1983. Further updates were provided by various current and former academic staff members. For comments/corrections/additions, please click here

1883
Professor A.W.P. Thomas arrived on May 1st as Professor of Natural Sciences.
The first classes were given in General Biology in the Old District Courthouse on Eden Street.

1884
First practical classes were held in General Biology.
There were extra courses in Zoology and Junior Botany offered for the BA degree.

1887
BSc degree was introduced.
The Natural Science Department was transferred to the Museum annex on the corner of Princess St and Eden Crescent.

1889
First senior scholar in Zoology, James T. Nott.

1890
First Masters (honours) graduate in Zoology, J.T. Nott, MA.
Natural Sciences Department moved to Old Parliament Buildings in Eden Street (between what was later the High Court and Station Hotel).
First publication in Biology from Auckland University College (as the University was then known): Preliminary note on the development of the tuatara by A.W. P. Thomas (Proceedings of the Royal Society of London, Vol. 48).

1892
Intermediate Biology for Medicine was first offered as the same course as General Biology.

1902
First senior scholar in Botany, George B. Stephenson.

1903
First Masters (honours) graduate in Botany, Ethel M. McIntosh, MA.

1914
Professor J.C. Johnson took up the chair in Biology (Geology was separated to an equal status department).
Botany and Zoology were taught at two stages for BSc and BA, as "pass" and "advanced," with alternating higher and lower plant and animal components at "pass" level.

1919
Biology Department was moved to the top floor of the Old Choral Hall, corner of Symonds and Alfred streets.

1924
School of Forestry established (transferred to Canterbury University College in 1931).

1925
School of Agriculture established (transferred to Massey University College in 1929).

1926
Faculty of Science created in the same year as the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research (DSIR) was established by NZ government.
Nine unit BA and eight unit BSc scheme introduced.

1929
Three successive years' work in each subject designated stages I, II and III units, a BA or BSc degree required majoring with one stage III unit.
Stages II and III in both Botany and Zoology became alternating courses in higher and lower plants and animals.

1930
Resignation of Professor J.C. Sperrin-Johnson and lapse of the Chair of Botany.

1932
Biology for BA course introduced.

1933
Separate departments of Botany and Zoology established under leaderships of Mr.T.L. Lancaster and Mr. W.R. McGregor, respectively.

1937
Foundation stone for new biology building (now the Old Biology Building) laid by Hon. Peter Fraser on Dec 13th, 1937.

1939
Official opening of the Old Biology Building.

1945
Death of Associate Professor Lancaster.
Chair of Botany established, to which Professor Valentine J. Chapman was appointed.
First half of the Seventh Pacific Science Congress was held at Auckland University College.

1949
The first marine science thesis, Comparative anatomy and morphology of the British salt marsh fucoids by Shirley D. Baker, submitted to Auckland University College.

1951
First doctorate in Botany awarded to Rex V. Mirams, PhD for: A study of some of the factors concerned in the natural regeneration of kauri (Agnathis australis).

1959
Retirement of Associate Professor McGregor.

1960
Chair of Zoology established, to which Professor John E. Morton was appointed.

1961
Chair of Microbiology established, to which Professor R.E.F. Matthews was appointed.
An extra unit (stage IIIB) introduced for the BSc degree for both Botany and Zoology.

1962
First doctorate in Zoology awarded to Patricia R. Berquist PhD, for The Demospongiae of New Zealand - systematics, distribution and relationships.

1964
The first stage of the Leigh Marine Laboratory completed and the building was occupied.

1965
Dr Bill Ballantine assumed directorship of the Leigh Marine Laboratory (1965-1985)

1966
First doctorate in Microbiology awarded to Michael F. Clark PhD for Studies on polyribosomes from plants.
Construction work began on the Thomas Building.

1967
Microbiology Department changed name to Cell Biology Department.

1968
Second chair in Zoology established.
Thomas Building for the Biological Sciences opened by the Governor General Sir Arthur Porritt on Feb 24th.
BSc course in human biology established, the biology component of which was taught by the Zoology Department.
Professor R.E.F. (Dick) Matthews, Ray Ralph and John Marbrook brought to the Thomas Building a Cell Biology research program originally initiated as a Molecular Biology program at DSIR (Mt Albert).
Department of Biochemistry established, in the faculties of Science and Medicine, and based in the Chemistry Building.
Professor George Mills appointed as Foundation Head of Biochemistry.

1969
Professor Frank J. Newhook appointed to chair of Plant Pathology in the Botany Department.

1970
R.M. Cassie appointed Professor of Biometry (1970-1974).

1971
Professor Euan C. Young appointed to the second chair and headship of Zoology Department.

1972
Professor Euan C. Young took up headship of Zoology Department.

1973
Faculty of Science course prescriptions changed to credit scheme; parts of 1st year Botany and Zoology courses combined with a Cell Biology contribution.
Courses in Ecology developed by combining those of Botany and Zoology.

1974
Retirement of Professor Valentine J. Chapman.
Professor P.H. Lovell appointed to chair and headship of Botany Department.
Professor Alastair G.C. Renwick appointed as Head of the Biochemistry Department.

1975
Creation of the Cape Rodney to Okakari Point Marine Reserve (Leigh Marine Reserve), New Zealand's first marine reserve.

1977
Professor Peter.L. Bergquist appointed as head of Cell Biology Department at the start of a rotating headship.
Official opening of the Leigh Marine Reserve.

1979
Building extensions to the Leigh Marine Laboratory completed.
Forty-ninth ANZAAS Congress held at University of Auckland.

1985
Over 100 marine science theses had been submitted to the University of Auckland by 1985.

1989
Review of Biological Sciences recommended that the School of Biological Sciences be developed from former departments of Biochemistry, Cell Biology, Botany and Zoology,

1991
Professor A. Richard Bellamy (granted a chair in Cellular and Molecular Biology in 1990) appointed Director of School of Biological Sciences. Professor Richard C. Gardner appointed Deputy Director (Research) with Professor Peter H. Lovell as Deputy Director (Teaching).

1992
Centre for Gene Technology established (later the Centre for Genomics and Proteomics).

1993
Professor Euan C.Young appointed Deputy Director (Teaching) in Feb, a post subsequently titled Deputy Director (Academic), and undertaken in turn by Associate Professor Clive W. Evans and Dr. Judy A.O’Brien.

1995
Biochemistry academic staff including Peter Barling, Nigel Birch, Tom Brittain, David Christie, Tony Roberton and Ken Scott, relocated to the Thomas Building from the Maths/Chemistry building in two groups (Feb and mid-year).

1996
Malcolm Bowman appointed Director of the Leigh Marine Laboratory (then part of the School of Environmental & Marine Science 1996-1999).

2001
Professor Joerg Kistler appointed Director of the School of Biological Sciences on the appointment of Professor A. Richard Bellamy to Dean of Science.
Dr. Judy A.O'Brien appointed Deputy Director (academic) with Professor Richard C. Gardner Deputy Director (Research).
Professor John Montgomery appointed Director of the Leigh Marine Laboratory.

2002
Centre for Gene Technology became Centre for Genomics and Proteomics.
Biological Sciences Library collections relocated from the 1st floor of the Thomas Building to the General Library, along with the divisional library collections from Science, Geology, and Geography.

2003
Maurice Wilkins Centre for Molecular Biodiscovery established from five University of Auckland research groups.
Bioinformatics Institute established in July from funding by AgResearch Ltd and the University of Auckland.

2005
Centre for Biodiversity and Biosecurity established at Tamaki Campus in collaboration with Landcare Research.

2006
School of Biological Sciences had over 200 academic & support staff, 140 postgraduates and ~ 3000 undergraduates, making it the largest unit within the Faculty of Sciences.
Institute for Innovation in Biotechnology established.

2009
Bicentenary of Darwin's birth and 150th anniversary of On the Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection observed by symposium organised by the School of Biological Sciences (Feb 19th).
Major extensions (10,000 sq m) to eastern wing of the Thomas Building began, with plans to house an additional 160 staff and students in what will become the Institute for Innovation in Biotechnology.
Re-development of the Leigh Marine Laboratory began (April), including planned upgrades to the science facilities and a new interpretive educational centre. Over 400 marine science theses had been submitted to the University of Auckland by 2009.
Professor Grant Guilford (formerly Head of Institute of Veterinary, Animal and Biomedical Sciences, and Institute of Natural Sciences, Massey University) appointed Dean of Science (May).
Associate Professor Gillian Lewis (Microbiology) appointed Deputy Director of Development (June), a new post for academic professional development.

2010
The unofficial opening of the new Science Centre at the Leigh Marine Laboratory (1st week of Sep).
The University and Plant & Food Research (Crown Research Institute) establish a joint graduate school in plant and food science, the first such collaboration in NZ (Nov).

2011
Professor Joerg Kistler, appointed Director of the newly-completed Institute for Innovation in Biotechnology (Mar).
Stuart Parsons appointed Deputy Director Academic for a two year period.
The University and NIWA establish a joint graduate school in Coastal and Marine Science (Jun).