The Department of Natural Sciences (DNS) is an academic and research unit of the Pedagogical Institute of A. Baitursynuly Kostanay Regional University. The department is staffed by a highly qualified faculty, including 2 Doctors of Sciences, more than 10 Candidates of Sciences, PhD holders, and Master’s degree holders.
The department offers a two-level system of academic training:
Bachelor's Degree Programs
- 6B01504 – Chemistry
- 6B01505 – Biology
- 6B01506 – Geography
Master's Degree Programs (Scientific and Pedagogical Track)
- 7M01501 – Biology
- 7M01503 – Chemistry
- 7M01505 – Geography
Educational activities are conducted in Kazakh and Russian, as well as within a multilingual education framework. The department actively participates in academic mobility programs for students and faculty members both within Kazakhstan and internationally, including partnerships with institutions in Norway, Slovakia, Poland, and France.
Since 2021, the department has jointly implemented a double-degree master's program in Biology (7M01501) in cooperation with State University of Humanities and Technology (Orekhovo-Zuyevo, Russian Federation).
Educational Program Rankings
The department’s educational programs regularly participate in national and international rankings. Notably, according to the rankings of the National Chamber of Entrepreneurs of the Republic of Kazakhstan:
- 2020 and 2022: Geography – 1st place; Chemistry – 2nd place
- 2023: Geography – 1st place
- 2024: Geography – 2nd place
- 2025: Chemistry – 3rd place
Students actively participate in research projects and scientific experiments. Together with faculty members, undergraduate and graduate students regularly compete in international, national, and regional scientific competitions.
The Department of Natural Sciences has repeatedly served as the host institution for the Republican Student Research Competition in the field of 6B01505 Biology.
Department students have also achieved outstanding results in national subject Olympiads:
- Chemistry: 2016, 2019, 2022
- Biology: 2015, 2024
- Geography: 2020, 2021, 2022
Faculty members actively participate in national academic competitions. Among the most notable achievements:
- Professor Tatyana M. Bragina, Doctor of Biological Sciences, received the state award “Best University Teacher” in 2007 and 2021.
- Evgeny A. Bragin, Candidate of Biological Sciences and Associate Professor, received the title “Best University Teacher” in 2019.
In 2024, G.K. Baubekova, S.A. Daribayeva, and Ch.A. Tauakelov were awarded grants for international scientific internships under the Bolashak Program (“500 Scientists Project”).
Faculty members actively participate in the implementation of national and international research projects. Project participants include D.T. Konysbayeva, T.M. Bragina, E.A. Bragin, Yu.V. Perezhogin, O.V. Borodulina, M.M. Ruleva, M.A. Bobrenko, O.M. Chernyavskaya, V.N. Chashkov, S.I. Kurlov, K.T. Baimaganbetova, and others.
The scientific and professional achievements of the department’s faculty have been recognized through numerous national and institutional awards.
Recipients of the “For Contributions to the Development of Science in Kazakhstan” badge include:
- T.M. Bragina
- Yu.V. Perezhogin
- O.V. Borodulina
Recipients of the Ybyrai Altynsarin badge:
- K.A. Abdykalikova
- T.M. Bragina
Recipients of the “For Contributions to University Development” award:
- K.A. Abdykalikova
- N.V. Vazheva
Recipient of the title “Honored Worker of Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan”:
- D.T. Konysbayeva
Numerous faculty members have also received certificates of merit and letters of appreciation from the Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic of Kazakhstan, the Akim of Kostanay Region, and the University administration.
The department actively develops international cooperation within the framework of the University’s internationalization strategy. Academic partnerships and collaborative projects have been established with scholars including:
- E. Todorova (Bulgaria)
- E. Atasoy (Türkiye)
- T. Katzner (USA)
- S. Solovyov (Russia)
Faculty members have authored numerous scientific monographs, textbooks, and teaching materials, including:
- E.A. Bragin – Birds of the Naurzum Nature Reserve
- T.M. Bragina – Composition and Structure of Soil Invertebrate Communities (Mesofauna) of the Naurzum Nature Reserve
- Yu.V. Perezhogin, O.V. Borodulina, S.I. Kurlov et al. – Vascular Plants of Kostanay Region (Synopsis, Analysis and DNA Barcoding of Flora)
- T.M. Bragina – Soil Biota and Methods of Its Study
- O.V. Borodulina – Practical Course in Lower Plant Systematics
- Zh.K. Suyundikova – Fundamentals of Human Ecology
- E.A. Bragin – Course of Lectures on Zoogeography
- A.S. Kozhmukhametova et al. – Fundamentals of Histology
- T.M. Bragina – Introduction to Entomology. Part 1: External Structure of Insects
- G.K. Baubekova, K.I. Omarova et al. – Geography Case Studies Practicum
Every year, the department’s teaching laboratories host the experimental rounds of regional and national school Olympiads in Chemistry.
Graduates of the department are successfully employed in general and innovative schools in Kostanay and other regions of Kazakhstan, as well as in governmental institutions, research organizations, and various public and private enterprises throughout the country.
