Introduction
Mission
The Biological Sciences Museum sees as its main objectives
- the support of teaching and research programs of the Department of Biological Sciences
- making a valuable contribution to campus life
- the provision of services to the greater community outside the University
Its agenda, therefore, is to
- collect
- preserve and
- present material
related to the field of biology so that it can be used for
- scientific,
- educational and
- historic purposes.
As an interface between the University and the public, it seeks to be dynamic and innovative in its exhibits, addressing topical issues of the day.
About The Collection
Over the past four decades, the Department of Biological Sciences has established an impressive teaching collection of zoological specimens and other objects. The Biological Sciences Museum is dedicated to the preservation and curation of this collection.
Most exhibits are concerned with the unique Australian fauna and flora.
While these exhibits cover a wide range of topics, they always return to the common theme of evolution, biodiversity and conservation of Australian wildlife.
Search the Collection Catalogue
The Biological Sciences Museum collection catalogue is available on the net.
Taxidermy
Skillfully prepared skins of native birds and mammals perch life-like on tree branches. They make the study of rare and endangered native wildlife an unforgettable and truly Australian experience.
Furthermore, our collection includes many snake and lizard specimens. View without fear Australia's crocodiles, monitors, dragons and venomous snakes. The preserved and taxidermied specimens are an invaluable teaching and identification resource for anyone who would like to know more about Australian reptiles.
Corals & Shells
Corals and shells - sculptors of the deep. Numerous shells and bleached coral skeletons are on display and many more in storage. They range from stunning to beautiful to curiously bizarre. The collection features particularly beautiful Cowries, Cones and Volutes. The museum received this extensive coral and mollusc collection from Mel Ward in 1988.
Osteology
We have a rich collection of osteological specimens of both exotic and native animals, of which most are on display. These beautiful specimens will surprise you with their functional perfection. Our collection allows for comparative studies in skeletal anatomy of many native and exotic animals. A great proportion of our specimens were prepared by undergraduate students as part of their course work.
Insects
Large parts of our extensive insect collection were donated by the Australian and Macleay Museum. The collection features rare and beautiful beetles, orthoptera, phasmatids and other insect orders. For conservation reasons, not all specimens are on display. Interested entomologists may contact the curator for closer inspection.
Live Animal Displays
The Biological Sciences Museum has a number of live animal displays which distinguishes it from many other natural history museums. Native pythons and lizards for example complement the extensive taxidermied reptile collection. Three large display aquaria are teaming with native aquatic wildlife including Australian Lungfish, Barramundi and Yabbies. Our displays are not restricted to vertebrate groups. Not on display but behind the scenes, many other invertebrates including Rhinoceros Cockroaches and Stick & Leaf Insects are kept for educational talks and workshops.
Microscopes
The technophile visitor will enjoy this collection of antique microscopes. These rare masterpieces of early science are more than outdated optical instruments. They are time machines taking you back to the infant days of science.
A very new addition to this collection is a large 1969 Zeiss Ultraphot II Camera Microscope donated and restored to working order by Ron Oldfield, honorary curator of our Microscope collection.
Human Development
A series of beautifully preserved and presented human foetuses describes the incredible journey of human development from conception to birth.
Indigenous Objects
Although not part of the collection, the museum exhibits a large number of indigenous objects, artefacts, jewlery and raw materials important to aboriginal arts and craft. The artefacts belong to the Aboriginal Technology and Bioresources Collection curated by Dr Jim Kohen.
History 1967 - present
Over the past four decades since its inception in 1967, the Department of Biological Sciences has established an impressive teaching collection. It centred around first, second and third year courses.
Due to close links between the Department, The Australian Museum and Taronga Zoo, it was possible to obtain invaluable teaching material from these institutions. The Australian Museum has kindly provided us with a number of "permanent loans" of taxidermic specimens and these are housed in and around the Biological Sciences Museum which was created as a result of these initial collections.
In the following years, the Biological Sciences Museum collection grew as specimens were collected on field trips associated both with undergraduate and postgraduate teaching and research.
In 1993-94, the Museum underwent total renovation under supervision of The Australian Museum. Meeting international standards, the museum is now furnished with latest technology in display cabinets, environmental control and airconditioning.
In 1988 the mollusc and coral collections of Mel Ward were donated followed by donations of insect collections in 1995 and 1996 by the Macleay Museum and The Australian Museum.
In 1995 the Historical Microscopy Collection was established with the assistance and expertise of Mr. Ron Oldfield, who became its honorary curator.
In May 2001, Macquarie University Museums and Collections launched a joined information access system powered by ADLIB, replacing individual museum catalogue systems. Furthermore, all museum collections including ours were made available to the general public via the world wide web (www.museums.mq.edu.au). While the new system allows sophisticated information management and retrieval for curators and the public, the main benefit of this exciting innovation was the unification of the many disparate and isolated museums and collections at Macquarie University.
Staff
Established by Professor Frank Mercer and Dr Walter Ivantsoff, the Museum employed Michael White in 1979 as its first full-time preparator and curator.
Between 1984-1999 Jacob Milczanowski became the curator.
In 1999 Frank Stadler replaced Jacob Milczanowski and became part-time curator of the museum. In 2001 his appointment was made full-time. In 2002 Libby Eyre replaced Frank Stadler as part-time curator.