The University of Dar es Salaam's Botany Department is one of the founder departments in the College of Natural and Applied Sciences (formerly the Faculty of Science) established in 1965. The department offers training at both an undergraduate and postgraduate levels. At undergraduate level, it offers degrees in the major subjects of Botany, Applied Microbiology and Molecular Biology & Biotechnology. Postgraduate programs include Masters of Science (MSc) and Doctor of philosophy (PhD) in all the major fields mentioned above.

UDSM Bontany Department has well trained and motivated staff both at academic and technical levels, coupled with modern research laboratories and facilities. The Department houses one of the finest and most well stocked herbarium in sub-Saharan Africa, which is linked through collaborative projects to regional and international herbaria such as the East African herbarium, The Royal Botanical Gardens, Kew and Missouri Botanical Gardens. A visit to the Department's website will provide access to the research capacity, initiatives and output of the department over the last five years. The Tanzania National Biodiversity Information Facility (TanBIF) receives close nurturing from the Department; several Department faculty and staff serve as members on TanBIF's technical and administrative committees.