The Institute of Biology (IB) was established in 1986 when the former departments of Botany and Zoology merged in response to the greater challenge posed to the biological sciences in the last two decades of the twentieth century. This merger allowed the pooling of manpower skills and facilities necessary for the development of an integrated body of knowledge in basic and applied Biology. It also facilitated the re-evaluation of various programs to ensure research excellence and quality education in the biological sciences.