Prior to 1961, the biology faculty worked within the department of Natural Sciences (biology, chemistry, and mathematics). In 1961, biology became a separate department, occupying the upper northeast wing of Adrian Hall.

The Botany House and the E.L. Wiegand Center were completed in 1970, housing Science and other departments. The Biology department expanded its lecture and laboratory space from five Adrian Hall rooms to thirteen, including those in Wiegand. Additional space was allocated for faculty offices in Wiegand and Adrian.

As the programs grew, the Academic Health Science Center was formed in 1985, including the Division of Biological and Biomedical Sciences and the School of Podiatric Medicine. In 1991, the division was renamed as the School of Natural and Health Sciences in order to integrate the undergraduate and graduate life and health science programs into a cohesive academic unit. The School of Podiatric Medicine became part of the School of Graduate Medical Sciences.

Facilities for the School were added over the years to include the Wiegand Annex in 1987, and the Natural and Health Sciences Building in 1995.