Learning outcomes

Program outcome

Bachelor of Science (General) program is designed to provide students with an exposure to variety of science subjects during their three years of graduation. The course is a foundation for a career in the field of science. Compared to a specialized honors course, a general course offers more avenues when opting for master course and is beneficial for students who wish to pursue applied or inter-disciplinary science careers in future.

Program specific outcome

Bachelor of Science (Botany general) program is designed to provide an educational experience in botanical and plant sciences by covering a wide range of topics. Program aims to offer students with basics of different fields of botanical science. Students studying the program become acquainted with the diversity of plants and various applied fields like genetics, plant physiology etc.

Course outcome

Core course I

Plant diversity (Phycology, mycology, Phytopathology, Bryophytes and Anatomy)

Core course 1 details the diversity of fungi, algae, lower plants available; internal structure of higher plants and different plant diseases. On completion of this course a student should become familiar with the different classes of fungi, algae and bryophytes with life cycles of few selected genera. Course will also help student to get acquainted with anatomy of higher plants, understanding how the cellular structure of different organs of plants help them achieve their functions. Course also teaches the causes, symptoms and management of different plant diseases.

Core course 2

Plant diversity II (Pteridophytes, Gymnopserms, Palaeobotany, Morphology and taxonomy)

Core course 2 details the diversity of Pteridophytes and Gymnopserms, also provides an overview of plant fossils (Palaeobotany), and covers the scientific study of external appearance of plants (Morphology) and lastly plants taxonomy. Under plant taxonomy students learn to describe a plant scientifically, the various systems of classification of plant kingdom and also understand various rules and regulations laid down to name a plant or simply botanical nomenclature.

Core course 3

Cell Biology, Genetics and Microbiology

Core course 3 helps students in understanding the basic principles of heredity and also get an overview of how a cell functions. The course also helps them in understanding the difference between the prokaryotes and eukaryotes with the help of a unit on microbiology. Overall a student can understand the basics of all life forms on earth in terms of their cellular structure (prokaryotes vs. eukaryotes) and their perpetuation at a molecular level.

Core course 4

Plant Physiology and Metabolism

Core Course 4 encompasses the study of plant form and function. Plant physiology gives a view of how different parts of plants work describing fundamental processes such as photosynthesis, respiration, plant nutrition, plant hormone functions, tropisms, nastic movements, photoperiodism, photomorphogenesis, circadian rhythms, environmental stress physiology, seed germination, dormancy and stomata function and transpiration. The other part of the course i.e., metabolism deals with chemical reactions involved maintenance of living state of the cells and the organism.

Skill Enhancement Course A

Plant Breeding and Biometry

SEC A aims to make students aware of principles and methods of changing the genetic makeup of plants in order to achieve better yields and to increase the potential usefulness of a plant. Students will learn how breeders create plants with new combinations of specific desirable traits. Students also learn application of statistical principles to questions and problems in biology.

Biofertilizers

SEC B aims to equip students with the knowledge of microorganisms which can be used to increase the nutrients available to host plants in place of chemical fertilizers. It teaches them the skill of culturing microorganisms, preparing inoculums and techniques of application to various plants.

Skill Enhancement Course B

Plant Biotechnology

Plant biotechnology deals with manipulation of genetic makeup of an organism to get desired qualities. By the end of this paper students will get equipped with the techniques involved in genetic manipulation and screening of recombinant organisms. Paper will also teach students methods of plant tissue culture.

Mushroom Culture Technology

Mushrooms are now being widely used for consumption both in India and worldwide due to their low cholesterol content and high nutritious value. Mushroom production requires very little infrastructure and relatively less investment. The paper aims to teach students the basic technique of cultivating mushroom.

Discipline Specific Elective Course A

Phytochemistry and Medicinal Botany

The paper aims to teach the students about the medicinal plants and the phytochemicals derived from them. Phytochemicals from medicinal plants are the recipients of great attention in the scientific literature world over. The field has benefited greatly in recent years from the traditional ethnobotanical knowledge. The amalgamation of the traditional knowledge with modem phytochemical analysis and biological activity studies has added to the ever-increasing economic value of medicinal plants. Paper gives an overview of different indigenous systems of medicine and pharmcological compounds of different medicinal plants.

Natural Resource Management

The paper helps to build an understanding of the sustainable utilization of major natural resources, such as land, water, air, minerals, forests, fisheries, and wild flora and fauna. Together, these resources provide the ecosystem services and provide fundamental life support. The students will have an overview of how ecological processes maintain soil productivity, nutrient recycling, the cleansing of air and water, and climatic cycles.

Discipline Specific Elective Course B

Economic Botany

Economic Botany is the study of human interaction with plants for economic purposes. Through this course students explore the uses of plants and human relationship with plants. It helps student to have an appreciation of various uses of plants and also know how plants have been an indispensable part of our day to day life and culture.

Horticultural Practices and Post Harvest Technology

Horticulture is the branch of plant agriculture dealing with garden crops, generally fruits, vegetables, and ornamental plants. Paper gives students an overview of different horticultural practices and also helps them to have an understanding of different scientific techniques used to protect and conserve horticultural and agricultural produce.