The study of zoology at the University of Rhode Island is almost contemporaneous with the founding of the institution. Classes in zoology are referenced in the Second Annual Report of the Rhode Island State Agricultural School (1890), as is a position entitled "Professor of Physiology, Hygiene, Zoology and Veterinary". While a title existed, the position is described as a vacancy "to be filled". Zoology and Veterinary Science were closely associated, and as stated in the 1892 catalogue, the study of zoology was essential for competence in judging "the fitness or unfitness of an animal for a given purpose." Initially, zoology was loosely grouped with other biological sciences under a series of changing titles. Likewise, the title of those who taught biological sciences evolved over a period of approximately eight years. By the publication of the Third Annual Report (1891) the first suitable candidate had been selected. Dr. F.E. Rice, "M.D. M.R. C.V.S. of Albany", former Veterinarian to the State of Connecticut and Veterinary Editor of the New England Homestead assumed responsibilities which encompassed veterinary work, including the planning of a veterinary building, and instruction in "Physiology, Anatomy, and Zoology". Dr. Rice's tenure was of short duration, lasting only a year and a half. The Fifth Annual Report (1893) notes his departure, and the absence of a successor. The reasons for Rice's departure are not documented, although President Washburn's report hints at the financial difficulties then besetting the College. The section of Washburn's report devoted to geography, zoology and physiology refers to the appropriation of funds "sufficient to fill [Rice's] chair as becomes an institution of this character". While a successor was named, veterinary medicine never recovered from Rice's departure. Dr. O. C. Wiggins, M. D. was named Professor of Biology and Comparative Anatomy (later shortened to Professor of Biology, then expanded to Professor of Comparative Anatomy and Physiology) in September of 1893. While proficiency in biology and affiliated topics contributed to his appointment, his medical training was also a consideration. Dr. Washburn's report notes the salutary effect of a medical doctor's presence on campus, "in case of accident or sickness, which is apt to visit sooner or later an institution of this kind." During its early years, zoology was included in the description of the College of Agriculture and Mechanical Arts, and received brief mention under the heading Biology. It was not until the 1897 annual report that a professorship in zoology, unencumbered by other duties, finally appeared in the annual report. While Dr. Wiggins continued as Professor of Comparative Anatomy and Physiology, that year's list of faculty members also includes George Wilton Field as Professor of Zoology, a position he held until 1900. Zoology existed as a Department of Instruction from 1897-1941. The Department of Zoology was under the administrative jurisdiction of the College's School of Science from 1942 until 1946; School of Arts and Sciences from 1947-1949; School of Arts and Sciences from 1950-present.

In its early years, the College lacked a permanent facility devoted to Veterinary Science and ancillary subjects such as zoology. In 1891, the lack of physical space meant that zoology shared accommodations with other sciences in the Chemical Laboratory, where Dr. Rice conducted his lectures in the recitation room. This situation was soon eased by the construction of the Veterinary Building on a site near the present day greenhouses and Resource Development Laboratory. Well appointed for the time, the new facility incorporated such amenities as a darkened box stall for the treatment of eye diseases, and special steam pipes for treating diseases of the lung and "organs of circulation". The building featured a lecture room twenty-five feet square, described as "well ventilated, and lighted by a skylight eight by ten feet". Unfortunately veterinary science had a short history on campus. By 1892 insufficient funding forced not only the departure of Dr. Rice, but the closing of the veterinary program. The Veterinary Building, renamed Ladd Laboratory in honor of Governor Herbert Ladd, began a slow devolution in function. Transferred to the Engineering Department, Ladd Laboratory was modified extensively to accommodate a modern machine, forge, and pattern-making shop. These functions were transferred to Bliss Hall around 1928. Ladd next served as an extension of Edwards’s library (1934), housing about 10,000 volumes and a collection of bulletins and pamphlets devoted to agricultural topics. The 1937 college catalog describes Ladd as home to the office of the superintendent of farms, the farm tool room, fruit packing room, and fruit storage room. Ten years later Ladd provided office space for the foreman of the grounds, garage facilities for buildings and grounds vehicles, and what is nebulously referred to as "storage areas occupied by various departments". In 1949, the last descriptive catalog entry confined Ladd's functions to workshops and storage for the Buildings and Grounds Department. Photographs and maps dating from the early 1960's no longer featured the Ladd building.

As the broader institutional focus and goals evolved, so too did those of Zoology. By 1897, the year of George Wilton Field's appointment as Professor of Zoology, the curriculum had expanded and the goals broadened to educate a more academically diverse student body. While students interested in agriculture remained an important audience for Zoology, they were now joined by students preparing for entrance to the medical profession and those preparing for careers in biological sciences as teachers and "investigators". The impact of this changing emphasis was manifest in the creation of new and specialized facilities such as the Experiment Station's Marine Laboratory near Point Judith (precursor to the Graduate School of Oceanography), and the addition of advanced courses in subjects such as histology, and the morphology of invertebrate animals. Further testament to the importance of the sciences, Zoology included, took the form of bricks and mortar with the opening in October 1913 of Science Hall, and renamed Ranger Hall in 1927. The 1914 college catalogue rather breathlessly described the accommodations for each department as consisting of “commodious laboratories, recitation room, and department room", as well as a shared amphitheatre with seating for 150, and suitable projection apparatus. Ranger Hall remained the focus of Zoology’s activities until the addition of the Biological Sciences Building in 1972. Annually, over 2000 students utilize the classrooms and laboratories of the building, which has undergone extensive renovations since its initial debut.

Department of Zoology Professors and Chairs George Wilton Field, Professor of Zoology, 1897-1900 Cooper Curtice, Professor of Zoology, 1901 John A. Barlow, Professor of Zoology, 1902-1924 John A. Barlow, Dean of Science and Professor of Zoology, 1925-1934 John A. Barlow, Vice President of College, Dean of Science & Business, Prof. of Zoology, 1935-1942 Robert A. DeWolf, Acting Head of the Department, 1942-1948 Herbert K. Knudson, Head of the Department, 1949-1953 Ernest W. Hartung, Head of the Department, 1953-1960 Donald J. Zinn, Acting Chairman, 1961-1962 Donald J. Zinn, Chairman, 1963-1964 Kerwin E. Hyland Jr., Acting Chairman, 1965 Kerwin E. Hyland Jr., Chairman, 1966-1967 No Chairman Listed for 1968 Robert K. Chipman, Chairman, 1969-1974 Donald J. Zinn, Acting Chairman, 1974-1975 Robert William Harrison, Acting Chairman, 1975-1976 Charles E. Wilde Jr., Chairman, 1976-1986 No Chairman Listed for 1986-1987 J. Stanley Cobb, Chairman, 1987-1992 Harold D. Bibb, Chairman, 1992-1994 Robert C. Bullock, Acting Chairman, 1994-1995 Robert C. Bullock Chairman, 1995-1997