# Department of Biology

**Source**: https://www.york.ac.uk/biology/
**Parent**: https://www.york.ac.uk/about/departments/

Tackling global challenges through bioscience education and impactful research.

## Study with us

**We're a friendly and supportive academic community committed to sharing our expertise with the next generation of bioscientists.**

Our courses span the full range of contemporary biological sciences including biology, biochemistry, bioinformatics, biotechnology and biomedical science.

[Discover our courses](https://www.york.ac.uk/biology/study/)

[Find scholarships and funding](https://www.york.ac.uk/biology/study/funding/)

## Our research

**Our world-class bioscience research addresses major global challenges.**

Grounded in excellent fundamental science, our research spans the discipline and generates solutions for a sustainable green future and a healthy human population.

[Explore our research](https://www.york.ac.uk/biology/research/)

> Biology at York is a really exciting place to be! Amazing staff, enthusiastic students and exceptional facilities drive interactions between research and teaching, which in turn create collaborations and innovations that produce positive impacts on global challenges.

Professor James Chong, Head of Department

[1st in the Russell Group for 'Academic Support'](https://www.york.ac.uk/biology/about/news/2024/nss-2024-rankings/)

among universities included for molecular biology, biophysics and biochemistry in the 2024 National Student Survey.

[Research excellence](https://www.york.ac.uk/research/performance/)

Biological Sciences is ranked in the top 10 overall in the UK according to the Times Higher Education’s ranking of the latest REF results.

[Culture of inclusivity](https://www.york.ac.uk/biology/about/equality-diversity/)

We are proud to have held an Athena Swan Gold award since 2014.

## News

News

### [Biomass Biorefinery Network celebrates supporting researchers to turn ideas into real-world progress](https://www.york.ac.uk/biology/centrefornovelagriculturalproducts/news/2026/bbnet-celebrates-supporting-researchers/)

17 March 2026

From rapid increases in technology readiness levels to over £12m in leveraged funding, the Biomass Biorefinery Network releases a report demonstrating its impact.

News

### [Discovery of alkaloid biosynthesis enzymes featured in ‘From First Principles’ podcast](https://www.york.ac.uk/biology/centrefornovelagriculturalproducts/news/2026/alkaloid-biosynthesis/)

10 March 2026

New research from Dr Benjamin's Lichman's lab has been published in the New Phytologist.

News

### [Plant discovery could lead to new ways of producing medicines](https://www.york.ac.uk/news-and-events/news/2026/research/plant-new-ways-producing-medicines/)

6 March 2026

Scientists have shown how plants produce powerful natural chemicals that could help in the production of new medicines in more environmentally friendly ways.

News

### [Cells that communicate may help hinder bladder cancer from spreading](https://www.york.ac.uk/news-and-events/news/2026/research/cells-that-communicate/)

20 February 2026

Researchers at University of York’s Jack Birch Unit have revealed how direct communication between cells can help maintain healthy human tissue - potentially paving the way for new treatments for bladder cancer.

[More news](https://www.york.ac.uk/biology/about/news/)

## Information for...

### [Current staff and students in Biology](https://www.york.ac.uk/biology/current-students-staff/)

### [Alumni](https://www.york.ac.uk/biology/about/alumni/)

### [Public and schools](https://www.york.ac.uk/biology/outreach/)

People

[Meet our staff](https://www.york.ac.uk/biology/people/)

About us

[Discover who we are](https://www.york.ac.uk/biology/about/)

Campus map

[Find us on campus](https://www.york.ac.uk/map/#locid331)

Facilities

[Explore our facilities](https://www.york.ac.uk/biology/about/facilities/)