The Biology Institute organizes undergraduate classes of five study groups: Biology, Biochemistry and Physiology, Ecology, Molecular Biology and Biology-Chemistry (in accordance with the Institute of Chemistry). During 2016, new re-accreditations have been prepared for the existing study groups (biology, ecology, biochemistry and physiology, biology-chemistry), as well as new accreditations for studies in molecular biology with genetics and nutritionism studies. The teaching of the Institute of Biology is carried out in cooperation with the institutes of the Faculty of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, as well as with other faculties in the country.
The studies are completed after a successfully defended diploma thesis. In the past 10 years, 800 students graduated from the Biology Institute, making the total number of graduates - biologists from the beginning to the jubilee 70th year - 2 535. The number of enrolled students of all the study groups at the Institute of Biology in the period 2015/2016 is 464. In addition, the Institute of Biology participates in the teaching activities of certain study groups (analytical biochemistry) at the Institute of Chemistry, Faculty of Natural Sciences and Mathematics in Skopje, as well as in the teaching process of several study groups of other faculties in Skopje, such as Faculty of Agricultural Sciences and Food, Faculty of Forestry, Medical, Dental and Faculty of Philosophy.
In addition to the undergraduate studies there are three programs of the postgraduate Master's studies (accredited in the school year 2009/10 and re-accredited in the academic year 2012), as follows: 1) ecology and taxonomy with a teaching, ecological and taxonomic module, 2) biochemistry and physiology; and 3) molecular biology. The studies last one year and are coordinated with the recommendations of the Bologna Convention. During 2016, new study programs were prepared and proposed: 1) education in biology teaching, 2) ecology and taxonomy (module on ecology and module for biosystematics), 3) Biochemistry and Physiology; 4) Microbiology; 5) Molecular Biology with Genetics (Molecular Biology Module and Genetics Module); and 6) Forensic Biology.
Through postgraduate studies, applicants expand their knowledge of individual biological disciplines and introduce themselves to the scientific and research processes. Professors of the Institute of Biology, professors from other institutes of the Faculty of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, as well as professors from other faculties and scientific institutions from the country and abroad, participate in the education and training of the postgraduate students. Many professors from the Institute of Biology took part (and some still participate) in the performance of postgraduate teaching and other higher education institutions in Macedonia.
The School of Doctoral Studies in Biology functions successfully at the Institute of Biology and within the School for Doctoral (Third Cycle) Studies at UKIM. Within the doctoral studies, there are four directions accredited in 2015, namely, the direction in biochemistry and physiology, the direction of ecology, the direction of taxonomy and the direction of molecular biology. Doctoral studies have duration of three years (six semesters) and enable education for the future doctors in biological sciences in the field of biochemistry and physiology, biosystematics, ecology and molecular biology. It is important to point out that all the members of the Institute of Biology take part in the work of the Doctoral School, so, they participate in the maintenance of the continuity of biological thought in Republic of Macedonia.
The intense advancement of biological disciplines in the time in which we live contributed to overcoming the view of biology as a descriptive and quantitative science. The knowledge of the impact of technology development on the environment, as well as the molecular mechanisms of life processes, enabled contemporary discoveries in biology to be widely applied in almost all aspects of solving global problems. That is why research in this area is concentrated in the center of the scientific community, and biology is considered to be a science of the 21st century.
Scientific-research activity of the Institute includes the realization of many national and international scientific and research projects, guided by the Institute professors. The results of these researches are published in numerous scientific papers in national and international journals, as well as in many expert studies and elaborates. More specific data about the scientific and research activity of the Institute of Biology can be found in the description of the Departments functioning in the Institute's composition.