At the beginning of the 19th century, a process of independence for the natural sciences began at German universities, freeing them from their role as auxiliary sciences of medicine. Zoology, which emerged as part of natural history, achieved the status of an independent discipline at the University of Marburg with the establishment of its own institute in 1817. The initiator was the professor of political science, Blasius Merrem. The institution that has existed since then, including a corresponding chair for natural history or zoology, allows for a representative examination of the development of this new institution, its role within the university, and its scientific aspirations over the following 100 years. Initially, the effort was focused on capturing the diversity of the animal world and providing it with a meaningful order. In the midst of the confusion.