The field of Biology, through its respective departments, has consistently remained a leading branch at every stage of the formation and subsequent operation of Batumi State Pedagogical Institute and later the University. It has been central to the education and training of youth, modern specialists, and scientific research work.
Training in this discipline began at the foundation of the Batumi Teachers’ Institute—the first call rang on October 3, 1935. The necessary structures for tertiary education were established immediately. On October 4, 1935, eight departments were created by order, including the Department of Biology. It was headed by Associate Professor G. Kokochashvili, who taught courses in zoology and general biology, and under his guidance established the Zoology Cabinet, significantly contributing to its equipment.
At the time, Batumi lacked qualified staff suitable for the institute. Following leading Georgian intellectuals from Tbilisi and Kutaisi, eminent scholars supported Batumi by lecturing and training local scientific and teaching staff—driven purely by enthusiasm, patriotism, and love for the work. We remember with gratitude those scientists and patriots who selflessly served in the Biology Department, including G. Kokochashvili, A. Gotsiridze, P. Mgaloblishvili, D. Gedevanishvili, G. Tvaladze, G. Javakhishvili, N. Javakhishvili, P. Chanturishvili, L. Japaridze, A. Makhashvili, G. Tumanishvili, Sh. Nakhutsrishvili, A. Koberidze, B. Kikodze, B. Meskhi, E. Vasadze, G. Shanshiashvili, and many others.
In 1939–1940, the Department of Biology was led by Associate Professor (later Professor) A. Gotsiridze, who founded the Human and Animal Physiology Cabinets and equipped them with essential materials. Although Prof. Gotsiridze later worked in Kutaisi and Tbilisi, he maintained strong ties with the department, leading numerous scientific conferences and events at Batumi Pedagogical Institute’s Biology Department. In 1940–1941, he again served as an associate professor in Batumi and founded the Human Anatomy Cabinet, ensuring its proper equipment.
From 1941 to 1945, Associate Professor P. Mgaloblishvili became the head of the department. He taught plant systematics and phytogeography and founded the Botany Cabinet, equipping it with necessary resources.
At the start of 1945, when the Teachers’ Institute became a State Pedagogical Institute, the Biology Department was reorganized into departments of Botany, Zoology Anatomy Physiology, and Chemistry. The Zoology department was led by renowned zoologist G. Javakhishvili until 1952, and by Associate Professor J. Meskhi until 1955. Other notable scientists like A. Janashvili, G. Kokochashvili, L. Kutubidze, O. Tkhomelidze, O. Burchuladze, and others contributed, mentoring numerous zoologists and specialists through their textbooks and monographs.
The first head of the Botany Department (1945–1952) was Associate Professor P. Mgaloblishvili. Between 1952 and 1955, Associate Professor G. Shanshiashvili led the department, teaching plant physiology. During this period, esteemed figures such as Academician L. Japaridze, Prof. A. Makhashvili, Associate Professor G. Gedevanishvili, Prof. Sh. Nakhutsrishvili, and others carried forward the Botany teaching traditions through professors V. Jorbenadze and N. Beradze, and teacher N. Okropiridze. Though the Botany Department existed briefly, it laid the foundation for institutional teaching, creating herbaria, teaching aids, and live specimens.
In September 1955, a restructure merged the independent departments of Chemistry, Botany, and Zoology Anatomy Physiology into a single Biology Department led by Associate Professor J. Meskhi until 1974. From 1974 to 1986, the department was headed by Associate Professor O. Akhvelidiani. In 1986, Prof. A. Diasamidze became the head of the General Biology Department, leading until 2006.
Over time, many distinguished scientists and educators taught within the Department of General Biology, including Giorgi Chkhaidze, Dimitri Uchneshvili, Jemal Meskhi, Otar Akhvelidiani, Vera Jorbenadze, Onisime Tkhomelidze, Otar Burchuladze, David Nikolashvili, Ivane Kerkadze, Nodar Sharashidze, Liana Koridze, and others.
The collapse of the Soviet Union and the independence of former Soviet republics prompted the need for a new university. Transitioning from an institute to a university introduced the necessity for new departments.
In 1989, the Department of Human and Animal Anatomy Physiology was separated, headed by Associate Professor Z. Bolkvadze.
University status enabled new specializations. Given Batumi’s geographical advantages and the significance of water bodies in the national economy, specialties in aquatic biological resources, aquaculture, and ecology were introduced—training hydrobiologists, ichthyologists, and ecologists. The initiative was led by Prof. A. Diasamidze.
Establishing this specialty required a dedicated department, and in 1994 the Department of Aquatic Biological Resources and Aquaculture was formed—known after 1998 as the Department of Zoology Aquatic Biological Resources. Prof. T. Gogmachadze led it until 2006.
Botanical science in Batumi also has a strong tradition. In 1995, the Botany Department was established under Dr. M. Davidadze.
A major event was founding an independent medical faculty at Batumi University, led by Prof. N. Verdzhadze. Biomed-ecological genetics training also occurred there.
Medical education prompted new departments, including an independent Department of Human Anatomy and Hygiene, led by Prof. R. Zosidze.
Thus, several departments were born from Biology, while the Biology Department maintained a general profile under Prof. A. Diasamidze until 2006.
The university expansion brought a need for advanced research, leading to postgraduate programs in genetics; zoology hydrobiology; botany ecological phytomorphology; and human animal physiology.
Many others contributed to teaching and science: N. Beradze, N. Okropiridze, N. Sharashidze, Sh. Futkaradze, A. Beridze, V. Kutubidze, N. Mazmanidze, N. Gugunava, N. Dumbadze, Z. Tsintsadze, D. Gvianidze, among others.
Faculty were supported by technical and scientific staff: specialists like M. Ujmajuridze, E. Khinikadze, N. Khurtsidze, K. Intskhrveli, N. Samnidze, M. Tavdgiridze, E. Mebuke, V. Tohadze, L. Khitarishvili, E. Gatenadze, L. Gogmachadze, M. Zarkua, R. Gvasalia, and late lab technicians L. Esebua, N. Ise¬lidge, M. Vakh¬ania, E. Kveselava, G. Intskhrveli, and others.
Integration into European education led the university to adopt the three-cycle system. The Faculty of Natural Sciences now offers bachelor’s programs in Biology, Ecology, and Hydrobiology (the latter currently paused). Master’s programs include genetics, zoology hydrobiology, botany ecological phytomorphology, and human animal physiology.
Doctoral programs exist in human population genetics, plant genetics, hydrobiology, and ecological phytomorphology.
The department continues the long-standing traditions of its predecessor departments. Its teaching and research meet modern standards, with lectures and practical classes using cutting-edge technology to stimulate student interest. A broad range of professors and lecturers deliver the programs, including R. Zosidze, T. Gogmachadze, M. Davidadze, K. Dolidze, D. Baratashvili, R. Khukhunaishvili, M. Koridze, N. Thurmanidze, N. Varshanidze, L. Akhvelidiani, M. Nager¬vadze, N. Lomt¬at¬idze, N. Gvarishvili, N. Zarnadze, G. Dumbadze, I. Diasamidze, E. Mikashavidze, T. Koiava, R. Goradze, L. Zhgenti, I. Sulaberidze, E. Saralidze, I. Diasamidze, Zh. Chitanava, T. Asanidze, O. Tsetsadze, N. Zosidze, Z. Manvelidze, N. Memiadze, R. Mikeladze, S. Tskvitinidze, I. Pharulava, I. Nakashidze, N. Kedelidze, L. Kodanovi, M. Beridze, A. Sharabidze, G. Bolkvadze, I. Mikeladze, M. Mikeladze, M. Shavlakadze, M. Metreveli, M. Gvianidze, I. Machutadze, N. Gachava, T. Tser¬odze, F. Chaidze, J. Jia¬keli, L. Koiava, G. Me¬pharishvili, I. Baramidze.
The department’s operations are supported by specialist M. Resulidze and technician Sh. Gabaitze.
Its faculty actively engage in successful scientific research, presenting at both national and international congresses and symposia. Research findings are regularly published in top Georgian and international journals, monographs, and university publications—you’ll also find key textbooks authored by faculty.
The main research priorities include: comprehensive study, monitoring, and diagnostics of the Black Sea water and biological resources; biodiversity research, conservation, and sustainable use in Adjara and Guria; eco-biological aspects for tourism development; and studies in biological, gerontological, immunological, and pathological patterns in populations of Adjara and Guria.
Student researchers actively participate, showcasing work in student conferences and youth scientific collections.
The department operates well-equipped laboratories—Biotechnology and Microbiology; Plant Anatomy Morphology and Systematics; Invertebrate and Vertebrate Zoology; Physiology; Cytogenetics; Molecular Cellular and Genetic Research; Plant Physiology—and maintains strong partnerships with Batumi Botanical Garden; the Ministry of Agriculture’s laboratory testing center; the Ministry of Environment’s fisheries and coastal monitoring department; Batumi Water LLC; and the national environmental monitoring laboratory for air, water, and soil quality, plus Gama Consulting Ltd.
Research in the Biotechnology and Microbiology lab investigates variability in plant genotypes using in vitro microclonal methods.
In the Immunogenetics lab, faculty study the distribution of blood group antigens and genetic and immune characteristics in elder populations of Adjara and Guria, supported by local and international grants.
The Curriculum Committee and Quality Service continuously strive to enhance teaching quality and refine educational programs.
Student life is vibrant, featuring summer schools, biological and ecological calendars, workshops, discussions, debates, and charity events, with participation from local school pupils.