The Thomas Hunt Morgan School of Biological Sciences was formed in 1966 from the Departments of Botany, Microbiology, and Zoology. The school and the biology building were named for the prominent Nobel Laureate geneticist and alum, T.H. Morgan.

In 1971, the faculty within the school clustered according to major fields of contemporary biological research: cell and molecular biology, ecology and evolution, and neurobiology and physiology.

In 2002 the School of Biological Sciences further coalesced to form a Department of Biology. Faculty have grouped into two broad areas of common research interest: Molecular and Cellular Biology (MCB), and Environmental and Evolutionary Biology (EEB). Members participate in formulating graduate training and in initial discussions of priorities in curriculum and faculty development.