The Department of Zoology was established in the Old Campus (City Campus) of the University of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (UAJK) at Muzaffarabad in 1987. At present, the department offers BS (4-year), MSc (2-year), MS/M.Phil. (2-year), and PhD programs in diverse fields such as Human Molecular Genetics, Molecular Biology, Biotechnology, Fisheries & Aquaculture, Physiology, Endocrinology, Toxicology, Parasitology, Wildlife, and Ecology.
The BS 4-year program was launched in Fall 2012, and since then, about 380 BS graduates have successfully completed their studies. Over the last 37 years, the department has produced more than 1700 graduates (M.Sc. 1325; BS 380), approximately 195 M.Phil., and 17 PhD scholars. Recently, 17 PhD scholars, including faculty members, have also been enrolled.
The alumni of the department are serving at key positions in both public and private sectors nationally and internationally. They are working in Academia, Health Departments, Wildlife and Fisheries, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Services (APHIS), Environmental Protection Agencies (EPA), Food and Drug Administrations (FDA), National Institute of Health (NIH), National Agriculture Research Center (NARC), Pakistan Agriculture Research Council (PARC), National Institute for Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering (NIBGE), National Institute of Agriculture and Biology (NIAB), World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN), and various UN organizations.
Apart from these, many graduates are serving in educational institutions, administrative bodies, management organizations, and conservation projects. In short, the graduates of the department are in high demand nationally and internationally.
The department is dedicated to providing quality teaching and research in various areas of Zoology in line with Higher Education Commission standards. Its mission is to produce professionally skilled and academically sound zoologists capable of addressing the challenges related to zoology, thereby contributing to human well-being and the country’s economy.
To enhance professional skills and career opportunities, the department regularly arranges study tours and academic visits, while faculty and students actively participate in national and international conferences and seminars.
Faculty members are inducted strictly on a merit basis, and the department works closely with the Quality Enhancement Cell (QEC) of the University to continuously improve teaching and learning standards.
To be among the leading university departments nationally and internationally for zoological research, teaching, and learning, with a reputation for collegiality, ethics, societal contribution, and environmental responsibility.
The mission of the Department of Zoology is to be a leader in research-based teaching and learning, addressing societal challenges while producing graduates with broad zoological knowledge, versatile skills, and strong ethical foundations for successful careers.
- Equip graduates with theoretical and practical knowledge in specialized fields of Zoology for professional application.
- Enable students to apply modern scientific techniques to analyze and solve environmental issues, improving human health and reducing pollution.
- Promote research-based biological knowledge for the welfare of the public.
- Prepare graduates to actively contribute to cultural, economic, political, scientific, and social development.
- Train students in designing experiments, data analysis, and problem-solving independently.
- Develop communication, coordination, and presentation skills (oral, written, and graphical).
- Prepare graduates to work efficiently in challenging environments through teamwork.
- Enable students to become dedicated, ethical professionals with sustainable livelihoods.
Phone: 92.5822.962313
Email: zoology@ajku.edu.pk