The Department of Algology and Mycology (formerly the Department of Algology, Mycology and Lichenology, AML) is one of the youngest departments at the Faculty of Biology. For a very long period of time, from the beginning of the 19th century until the Second World War, contents in the field of algology, mycology and lichenology were taught, within the framework of various subjects (Botany, Systematics of cryptogams, Systematics of lower plants), by eminent professors of botany who were not algologists. The beginning of the 20th century was particularly marked by Professor Dr. Nedeljko Košanin. He also left a significant mark on the development of algology in Serbia, with his complex approach to the research of algae from a floristic, taxonomic and ecological perspective. After World War II, independent teaching in the field of algology and mycology began through the subjects Systematics of Lower Plants, later Systematics of Algae, and Lichen Fungi. By the beginning of the 20s, the core of the future Department of AML consisted of one full professor, two assistants and one technical associate. Prof. Dr. Radivoje Marinović was the first teacher-algologist, and Milutin Jelić the first assistant-mycologist. On the initiative of Prof. Dr. Jelena Blaženčić, on 05.03.1988. the Department of AML was formed, with new content and programs in teaching, with the aim of a more intensive and versatile development of algology, mycology and lichenology. Prof. Dr. J. Blaženčić was also the first head of the new department, until her retirement in 2001. Then the management of the Department was taken over by Prof. Dr. Mirko Cvijan, who, after his retirement in 2015, was succeeded as Head of the Department by Prof. Dr. Jelena Vukojević until her retirement. From 2021, the Department will be headed by Prof. Dr. Gordana Subakov Simić.

Independent teaching at the Department of AML has been going on since its establishment in 1988. Today, the Department provides teaching at all levels of academic studies at the Faculty of Biology. More recently, teaching at undergraduate level has been profiled through the compulsory subjects Algology, Mycology (BIO, EZŽS), Fundamentals of Algology and Mycology (MBF) and jointly, with the Department of Animal Ecology, organized subjects Hydroecology and Monitoring System and Bioindicators (EZŽS). Other compulsory or elective subjects at undergraduate, master's and doctoral studies build on the previously mentioned basic subjects.

The Department conducts research in the fields of algology and mycology. Algology is dominated by floristic, taxonomic and ecological research on various groups of algae in the territory of Serbia (Yugoslavia and the Balkans), as well as bioindication of the quality of aquatic ecosystems based on algae as bioindicators. Research on algae within the framework of complex hydrobiological research on various aquatic ecosystems stands out as a major contribution of the members of the Department to the development of hydrobiology in Serbia. In recent years, the same has been intensified, related to potentially toxic and aerophytic algae in Serbia.

Mycological research at the Department intensified in the 1980s. Initial research, which was predominantly in the field of phytopathology, eventually expanded to various disciplines in the field of ecology and diversity of micromycetes, both terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. Great attention was also paid to studying the potential of biofungicides, various metabolites of plants and fungi, as well as the possibilities of applying fungal enzymes and other biologically active substances of medicinal and edible mushrooms in biotechnology. The last decade of research in the field of mycology: fungal deterioration of objects of cultural heritage of Serbia and aeromycology.

Algologists and mycologists successfully collaborate in research on biofilms, algae, and fungi of extreme habitats of natural and cultural heritage in Serbia.