History

    The Department of Zoologyis one of parent department of the Institution established in the year 1955.The subject of Zoology was combined with Botany and taught under the Department of Natural science. In 1965 it was established as a separate department to offer the course of B.Sc.Zoology. On August 28,1989 the M.Sc. degree course in Zoology was introduced with the student strength of 12 which was later increased to 25 students for M.Sc. program. In the year 1999, the department fetched itself the credit to introduce the Allied VocationalBio-Technology Courseoffered alongside the Major subject to 15students of B.Sc. Zoologyand 15 students of B.Sc. Bio- chemistry on a merit/ entrance test basis.. 

    The year 2002, was very significantas the department was upgradedinto a Postgraduate and Research department with the advent of the Ph.D.Programme. The year 2005 marked the bifurcation of Zoologystream into B.Sc Zoology and B.Sc Advanced Zoology and Biotechnology with the sanctioned strength of 50 students in each program. The department proudly acknowledges being the only Zoology department in the collegesof the city of Chennai to offer two programssimultaneously.  

    With a focus to cater to the placements of students and enhance their career graphs,in the year 2005, a multitude of career oriented programs were introduced under the auspices of UGC. The department of Zoology substantiated on this and introduced the 300hr Add-on program, Bioinformatics which was open to the interested students of Science,Arts and Commerce stream.  

    The year 2008 witnessed the introduction of M.Phil.Zoologyin the department to strengthen quality research, projects and recent advances in research methodology.  

    Thus, the department attained full circle offering all the four programs of B.Sc., M.Sc., M.Phil.and Ph.D to students enteringits portalsand has successfully developed into one of the leading departments of the Institution. 

Vision

   To impart quality education and entrain the students in the domain areas of Zoology.

   To enrich them with knowledge and skills and transform them into responsible individuals with capability and high morals..

Mission

• To teach students the basic concepts as well as recent trends and advances in the domain subjects.
• To nurture students with hands on training to develop practical skills.  
• To encourage applied learning participative and experiential learning among students
• To provide support and access to the changing needs.
• To enlighten and empower students with intellectuality, integrity and capacity to take on to the real world.
• To equip and enhance life skill sets among students to cope with the challenges of future and transmit their learning to the society and make it a better place to live in.

Highlights

ACADEMICS

• Balanced curriculum to cater to the needs of the student.
• Range of new and innovative elective subjects offered.
• Group projects, Individual project for Vocational Biotechnology students at UG level and PG projects.
• Beyond classroom compulsory activities of industrial visits /lab visits / Field trips.
• Students taken on educational tours as part of Curriculum to various Institutes/ Organizations/Zoological Parks across India.

CONDUCIVE ENVIRONMENT

• There are 15 dedicated and committed staff members who are efficient and responsible and oversee the Academics and all activities of the department.
• Emphasis to enhance critical thinking, creativity, rational thinking, and team building.
• Individual mentoring and guidance by mentors and class teachers
• Opportunities to discuss doubts and resolve queries.
• Opportunities to discuss doubts and resolve queries.
• Thorough involvement of staff during demonstration and imparting dissection skills in laboratory hours.
• Student friendly staff available at all times.
• Lab Assistants render support to the teaching faculty and students
• Staff ensure the Well-being and holistic development of the students from the time they enter to the completion of the program while establishing connectivity with them as they become alumnae of the department

INFRASTRUCTURE

LABS – MAIN BLOCK

• Separate U.G. labs for B.Sc. Zoology and B.Sc. Advanced Zoology and Biotechnology
• Separate P.G. labs for 1^st and 2^nd year students of M.Sc. Stream.
• An exclusive Vocational Biotechnology lab (II FLOOR) for VBT programme.
• A spacious Research lab with sophisticated instruments to aid the
  Ph.D. Research Scholars.
• An Animal room is maintained for the purpose of Research.
• A Museum with 475 QR Coded bottled specimens. Also with 58 models, charts and plasters to support and enable studies of Zoological species and animals.
• A well-maintained department library with a total number of 3000 books.
• 2 Smart classrooms utilized to facilitate e - learning.
• Maximal utilization of LCDs, OHPs, Visualizers and other instruments in the Department.

INFRASTRUCTURE

Classrooms - Diamond Jubilee Block

AMENITIES AND FACILITIES

• Separate UG labs for B.Sc. Zoology and B.Sc Advanced Zoology and Biotechnology
• Separate PG labs for 1st and 2nd year students of MSc Zoology
• An exclusive Vocational Biotechnology lab for VBT program.
• Bio-informatics Lab to cater to Add on program.
• A spacious Research lab with sophisticated instruments to aid the M. Phil and Ph.D research scholars.
• A Museum with models, charts, plaster sets and specimens to support and enable studies of Zoological species and animals.
• Smart classrooms utilized to facilitate e - learning.
• Maximal utilisation of LCDs, OHPs, Visualizers and other instruments in the Department.

PROMOTION OF RESEARCH

• Six M. Phil guides are available in the department to supervise research activities of the scholars.
• The Research advisory committee of the department monitors for effective and quality research following the University of Madras guidelines in adopting antiplagiarism and code of ethics.
• Three Research guides are available to guide Ph.D research scholars.
• Research status of Ph.D
  • 11 candidates - completed,
  • 3 candidates - submitted thesis
  • 9 candidates pursuing Ph.D
• Research is promoted on transdisciplinary and multidisciplinary level and open to Scholars from Biochemistry and Microbiology stream.
• The department has about 75 and more publications till date and strives to publish quality papers in UGC approved list, web of Science and Scopus indexed journals.

STAR COLLEGE SCHEME

    The Star College Scheme under the auspices of Department of Biotechnology (DBT), New Delhi was initiated in our College for the five undergraduate Departments (Physics, Chemistry, Plant Biology and Plant Biotechnology, Zoology and Biochemistry) with the objective of education to improve science teaching across the country. This Scheme focused on improving critical thinking and encouraging ‘Hands-on training” in experimental science at undergraduate level in basic science subjects and to encourage more students to take up higher education in science.  

    The initial support for the Department of Zoology under the Star College Scheme was for a duration of 3 years (2015 – 2018). In the first phase the department received a non-recurring grant of Rs. 5 lakhs and a recurring grant of Rs. 3 lakhs each year for 3 years. These grants were judicially utilised by the department and many new practicals were included and more number of instruments/apparatus were procured. The grants were utilized for industrial visits, various activities for students, Staff and non teaching staff at both disciplinary and multi-disciplinary levels. Project grants were also allocated for students. After 3 years, the progress of the College was evaluated by a Task Force / Expert Committee constituted by DBT.  

    In October 2020, the College was accorded ‘STAR STATUS’ and sanctioned a total grant of Rs 1.59 Crore. Under the Star status the department gets a onetime non - recurring grant of Rs. 15 lakhs and a recurring grant of Rs. 5 lakhs / year for 3 years.  

COLLABORATIONS

The Department has several Collaborations and linkages which are both at academic and non-Academic levels.

• MoU with Department of Zoology ,University of Madras
• MoU with Chennai Snake Park Trust, Adyar, Chennai
• MoU with Jeevan clinic, Chennai
• MoU with Biozone Research Technologies, Chennai
• International MoU with Department of Applied Physiology, University of Miyazaki, Japan on Joint Scientific Activity.

SAKURA SCIENCE PLAN (SSP)

    The Sakura Science Plan (SSP), a venture of University of Miyazaki, JAPAN is a Japan-Asia Youth Exchange Program sponsored by the Japanese Science and Technology (JST). It is a Japanese support system to encourage women researchers for quality learning and to have an exposure to the culture of Japan.  

    Our college is one among the top Institutions / Universities collaborating with University of Miyazaki. From 2017, every year a student / staff (under age 40) is selected to participate in this program. Till date six Post Graduate students/research scholars and three staff members of the department have participated and visited University of Miyazaki, Japan for the Sakura Science Plan (SSP) for a period of 8-10 days.  

JAMEELA AMEER SCHOLARSHIP

    The Jameela Ameer Scholarship has been instituted by our alumna of the 1991 TO 1994 batch Mrs. Rehana Ameer for the benefit of Muslim students who pursue higher studies at the UG and PG level.  

    A systematic procedure is followed where in the students would have to submit their goals and objective for pursuing higher studies. At the end of the academic year two final year students from B.Sc. Zoology and B.Sc. Advanced Zoology and Biotechnology respectively and one student from M.Sc. Zoology will be selected for the scholarship which is Rs. 17000/- per student. After enrolment in a program of higher studies they would be awarded with this scholarship.  

SEMINAR/ CONFERENCE / WORKSHOP

    In vogue with the best practice of the Institution, our department takes pride in conducting seminar/ workshop/ conference at national and international level every year on latest topics and socio- relevant themes which is the need of the hour.  

    The department led by the Head as convener and the staff in turns as Organising Secretary steer the event with the objective of Awareness, Information shared by eminent dignitaries, resource persons and invited speakers who dwell on the current trends and emerging technologies and it provides a good knowledge exposure and platform for fruitful deliberations for the participating staff and students.  

SEMINARS CONDUCTED BY THE DEPARTMENT WITH ORGANIZING SECRETARY

    The department also releases a souvenir every year as a compilation of the proceedings of the seminar.

THE ZOOLOGY ASSOCIATION

    The Zoology Association named “Zoion” is a vibrant activity of the department which is also taken up by a staff coordinator to conduct the inauguration, valediction, Class level, Interdepartmental and Intercollegiate competitions and other activities with a specific theme for the entire year

STAFF ACHIEVEMENTS

    Staff of the department apart from academics are involved in the presentations of research papers at the National and International Seminars and Conferences in the city and other places of Tamil Nadu and abroad. The research papers are published in the peer reviewed reputed journals indexed in Scopus, Web of Science and UGC care list. The Staff also participates in the FDP, Orientation, Refresher Courses organized by the Colleges/ Universities and also the online courses offered by the MOOCS and NPTEL. Staff also have been members in the Board of Studies, Academic Audit, Resource Persons, Judges and Chief Guests in the Schools and Colleges. Staff also receives awards for their contribution and recognition.

STUDENTS ACHIEVEMENTS

    Students are encouraged and motivated to participate in all academic and extracurricular and co-curricular activities. Our students participate in cultural programmes, elocution, debates quiz etc., at Intercollegiate and Collegiate levels. Students also take part in sports and games and represent the college in cricket team, kabaddi and other games. The students come forward to exercise their roles and responsibilities and have been elected as President, Treasurer, Cultural Secretary, Joint Secretary in the Student Council.

Programmes Offered

ADDITIONAL PROGRAMMES

• Value added course - Shell Art is offered to the Undergraduate final year students.
• Compulsory On-the-Job Training (OJT) program of 21 days for students of first year and second year of Vocational Biotechnology.
• Internship of 21 days for I PG students with option to do outside state.
• Certificate course on Medical coding by SwisInfosys.

ALUMNAE MATTERS

• Alumnae are a valuable asset to any institution when it comes to activities like collaboration, fundraising, resource management and recruitment.
• The department proudly acknowledges its alumnae and takes care to keep active, an engaging alumni relationship.
• The digital age has facilitated and made easy to connect with our alumnae and strengthen the bonding.
• The department strives to establish good relation with innovative ideas to fuel in participation and leverage the benefits of the Alma Mater connect
• Some of our illustrious alumnae who have become achievers and contributed in a significant way to the society and the Institution are:
  • Mrs. Sivasankari - Writer and Social Activist
  • Mrs Sharifaa Aziz - Correspondent of Crescent Group of Institutions
  • Dr Radha Madhyastha - Assistant Professor, Department of Applied Physiology, University of Miyazaki, Japan.
  • Mrs. Rehana Ameer - Councillor of Wintry Ward Corporation of London.
  • Shriprema – Lab Operations lead at Blue Rock Therapeutics in Toronto, Canada.
  • Mrs. Rukshar Jahan.A- Data Scientist, New Zealand.
  • Ms. Nafeesa Syed Akthar- Cel Therapy Production Technician, Advanced Therapies Facility College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, U.K.
  • Ms. Sowmiya – Pursuing Ph. D under MEXT Scholarship – University of Miyasaki, Japan.

PLACEMENTS @ ZOOLOGY DEPARTMENT

• Over the years many students have been successfully placed in top Companies / Organisations through offline and online placements.
• The placement and training centre of JBAS paves way to facilitate conduct of interviews and aptitude test to our Department students to make them employment ready.
• Students are also encouraged and inspired to develop their own businesses and become entrepreneurs and job creators