The Department was created in 1993 from the merger of the former Department of Zoology (which was created in 1976 from the Zoology Teaching Unit, established 1965) and the former Ecology Teaching Unit, established 1985. In 1980 the Museum of Zoology was created to hold the scientific collections of the Department. In 1995 the Museum was given the task of curating the Natural History Collections of the University of Navarra.

The Professors teach courses, mainly in the School of Science. They do basic research and several are also active in R&D programs and consultancy work for industry.