Currently, the School comprises a total of 45 academic staff, 12 post-doctoral fellows, 140 research students, and a team of 46 technical and administrative staff. The School was formed in 2007 by merging of the Botany, Ecology & Biodiversity and Zoology departments, which have produced many distinguished alumni.

The research efforts of the School are focused on three Strategic Areas (viz. Food for Health, Marine and Freshwater Biology and Endocrinology). The Centre for Marine Environmental Research and Innovative Technology, led by the School with collaboration from five other universities, is selected by the University Grants Committee as one of the "Areas of Excellence" (AoE) in Hong Kong. Faculty members also have well-established strengths in other Research Areas and Programmes. Our high impact research has attracted worldwide attention, and our staff and research students have won many awards within the University.

The School offers Major and Minor courses leading to a B.Sc. degree, with specializations in Biology, Biotechnology, Ecology & Biodiversity, Food & Nutritional Science, and Microbiology. The School also offers three taught postgraduate courses, namely, M.Sc. in Environmental Management, M.Sc. in Food Industry: Management and Marketing, and M.Sc. in Food Safety and Toxicology, which are highly relevant for the employment needs of Hong Kong and the region.

Our teaching and out of the classroom activities are specifically designed to produce creative, analytical and critical thinkers who are prepared to meet the challenges presented by the rapidly changing world. Careers of our graduates range from academic research to government, scientific organizations, conservation groups, management, healthcare, industry and teaching, both in Hong Kong and overseas.

The School enjoys excellent teaching and research facilities in the Kadoorie Biological Sciences Building, which was custom built and generously funded by the Kadoorie family. The School is also closely associated with the Swire Institute of Marine Science, a first class marine research facilities funded by the Swire group.