Department -> Department of Zoology

Establishment of UG, PG and Ph.D programmes

The Department of Zoology was carved out of the then existing “Natural Science Department” in the year 1966 when B.Sc., Zoology Major Course was started. In the year 1991 affiliation for M.Sc., Zoology was secured under the self-financing stream of the Madura College (Evening) from MADURAI KAMARAJ UNIVERSITY. The crowning glory came in 1994 when the Department was recognized as a Centre for Research in Zoology by the MADURAI KAMARAJ UNIVERSITY.

Infra Structure

Laboratory

The department has a well-equipped laboratory with equipments like: Research (Stereo – Binocular) Microscope, Photomicrography, Collection kits, BOD incubator; Refrigerator, Spectrophotometer, Colorimeters, pH meters, Balances (including Monopan), Laminar flow chamber, Microkjheldahl apparatus, GPS, Centrifuges (including high speed), Assemblies for chromatography and Electrophoresis.

Library

The departmental library has a total of 2262 books (1662 purchased under autonomous, UGC/special fee grant and 600 under self finance grant)

AV Aids

Facilities for AV Aids include Multimedia and slide projectors, OHP’s, Public address system, Paxiscope, Models, Charts Computer etc.,

Highlights

Curriculum

The syllabus for M.Sc., Zoology is an ideal blend of Organismic Foundation subjects, Job oriented Subjects and Research oriented subjects :

  1. Animal development
  2. Biosystematics and Taxonomy & Evolution
  3. Economic Entomology & Toxicology
  4. Molecular Biology of Cell & Gene
  5. Microbiology
  6. Immunology
  7. Biotechnology
  8. Physiology & Biochemistry
  9. Bioinformatics and computer applications and Environment – Oriented Subjects
  10. Environmental Biology & Biostatistics
  11. Biological diversity & Conservation

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Research & Extension

The department has successfully carried out 8 major research projects funded by agencies (UGC / CSIR / DoEn / DST / CES / IISc / DBT) amounting to Rs.30 lakhs. Evolved a user friendly key for the identification of aquatic macro invertebrates for the benefit of students and field workers. Nodal centre recognized by CES / IISc, Bangalore under WGBN project of Pew foundation, USA. Pioneered in evolving syllabus for Biodiversity and conservation, which was well appreciated by CES / IISc, Bangalore and MSSRF, Chennai. Referral centre for identification of aquatic insects. Produced three Ph.D.

Research Projects

Funding agency Amount (Rs) Duration (yrs) Title of the Project
UGC (F395/86 SRII) 3,37,418 86 – 89 Biosytematic studies on mayflies of Anamalai, Palni and Cardamom hills
CSIR (38-713/88 EMR- II) 1,06,517 88 – 91 Bioecological studies on weevils infesting
aquatic weeds
DOEn (Govt.of India) 22 – 18/89 RE 8,03,640 89 – 92 Composition and Zonation of aquatic insects of cauveri river
DST (Govt.of India) Sp-SO-C-13/19 7,02,062 93 – 96 Biosystematics of Ephemeroptera- Plecoptera
and Trichoptera communities of lotic systems of southern Western Ghats
CES, IISc, Bangalore 1,50,000 94 – 98 Western Ghats Biodiversity network project phase – I EGWG monitoring Biodiversity Project
IFS, Stockholm, Sweden 1,00,000 81 – 85 Mass culture of the live feed Daphnia
UGC 7645/77 6,000 77 – 78 Biology of Daphnia
Department of Biotechnology and center for environmental sciences 1,75,000 2000 – 2003 Western Ghats Biodiversity network project phase – II EGWG monitoring Biodiversity Project

Ongoing Projects

Agencies, Period, Amount PI Project Title
UGC / 31 – 216 / 2005 (SR)
01.05.2006 – 30.04.2009
Rs.5,32,600/- 		Dr. S. Dinakaran
Principal Investigator 		Gene Banking and habitat inventorying of Caddisflies of hill
streams of southern Western and Eastern Ghats

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Board of Studies

The Board of studies is composed of:

  1. Head of the Department – Chairman
  2. All faculty – Members
  3. Expert nominated by MK University – University nominee
  4. 2 Experts nominated by Academic council of Madura College (Autonomous) - AC nominees
  5. An Alumnus of the Department – Alumnus nominee

Vision for the future

The Department, having already been recognized as a leading centre for studies on Aquatic Entomology aims to further its expertise by continuing exhaustive investigations on aspects of inventorying and monitoring the diversity of aquatic insects of southern Tamil Nadu with a view to Prioritize the conservation of lotic and lentic habitats of Montane and non - montane areas and to contribute to the consolidation of National Biodiversity Register (NBR).In tune with the contemporary trend, the Department proposes to initiate under graduate courses in Biotechnology. Further certificate courses in Clinical Lab Technology and Bioinformatics (in collaboration with Computer Science Department) are proposed.