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Abstract

The teaching of Biology at the Medical Faculty in Sofia started in 1918 with Botany and Zoology. Already in the next year, it was radically changed by Metodii Popov: 1. Instead of Botany he introduced General Biology, and instead of Zoology - Parasitology (including a general review of the evolution of non-vertebrate animals) and Comparative Anatomy of the Vertebrates; 2. He adapted the teaching of Biology to the needs of the medical education. Those changes were possible thanks to the considerable medical background of M. Popov - it started in 1911 with suitable specialization and research activities, and continued with the establishment of Department of Biology and the Medical Faculty, and the involvement of medics, besides biologists, in its academic staff. During the past years there have been a lot of changes in the curriculum both in its schedule and contents. Some of them were as a result of the development of the biological science and the integration with the other disciples, but some were forced by the administration. Today the students have 90 hours of lectures and a practical course of 90 hours as well. They have at their disposal textbooks on "Biology", "Parasitology" and "Comparative Anatomy of the Vertebrates", as well as, a "Textbook for the practical Course on Biology". Their knowledge is evaluated during the practical course, at two colloquia, and at a practical and theoretical (oral) exam at the end of the first year of education.