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Chairman BOS in Microbiology

Savitribai Phule Pune University

M. Sc. Biodiversity – Monitoring and Utilization

Credit & Semester System Syllabus

Degree: Master of Science (M. Sc.) Part I&II

Subject: Biodiversity

Faculty: Science

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General Information

M. Sc. Biodiversity - Monitoring and Utilization (Credit & Semester System) is a two year

postgraduate course, comprising four semesters. The curriculum gives holistic coverage to the

extremely valuable field of Biodiversity. Biodiversity is the largest source of potential wealth for

the country, which remains grossly under explored. One of the reasons for the under utilization is

the dearth of trained manpower. The current generation of biologists is largely divided into field-

oriented taxonomists and ecologists on the one hand and the lab oriented functional and molecular

biologists on the other. This divide has become a limiting factor in the study of Biodiversity. The

present program intends to bridge the gap by inculcating excellence in field and laboratory biology

simultaneously. This capacity building exercise will help generating wealth through a prudent and

sustainable use of the country’s bioresources.

The course consists of four semesters:

The first year comprising two semesters is extensively field oriented and the second year is

lab intensive.

The first semester is devoted to taxonomy and diversity of various life forms and emphasizes

on basic techniques of exploration of diversity.

Second semester focuses on natural history and is supplemented adequately with quantitative

techniques in biology and ecology. Human ecology component which forms the key

component in shaping up of natural systems has also been included here.

First and second semesters together emphasize on conceptual as well as empirical knowledge

of the ways in which natural systems work.

The first two semesters can make a good naturalist and ecologist.

Third and fourth semester will expose students to various facets of environment,

conservation and utilization of bioresources.

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Eligibility Criteria:

a. Bachelor in - Science (any branch) / Agriculture / Fisheries / Pharmacy / Forestry /

Medicine / Engineering (any branch) with minimum 50% of marks

b. Clearing the entrance examination

Admission: The candidate should appear for the entrance test. The merit list will be based only on

marks obtained in entrance test. Marks of qualifying graduate examination will be considered for

tie-breaking.

Fee Structure: As per Savitribai Phule Pune University guidelines for self supported post graduate

courses in colleges.

Workload: There shall be 15 teaching hours per credit (1 hour / credit / week), out of which

classroom contact hours will be 12 and 3 hours for preparation of in-semester continuous

assessment comprising of seminars, mini projects, assignments, library notes, extension works and

short quizzes. Each laboratory course will occupy six hours / week / batch.

Examination: Assessment shall consist of an in-semester continuous assessment and end of

semester assessment as per the University rules.

Guidelines for Internal and Project Assessment: The in-semester evaluation (internal

assessment) shall be carried out as per the guidelines given by university for credit and semester

system. Biodiversity course being field intensive, visits to forested landscapes forms an integral

part of the overall practical component. Practical examination will combine both field and lab

exercises that test the knowledge and understanding of the subject.

Standard of Passing: The award of grades, ATKT and marks for passing, etc. will be as per the

Savitibai Phule Pune University rules.

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Medium of instruction – English

Course structure: There shall be four semesters, at each semester there will be 3 theory courses

and 2 practical courses. In the first semester, there shall be only core / compulsory credits (TC).

Second semester shall consist of 2 core / compulsory credits and 1 non-core / optional credit

(TNC). In the third semester, there shall be 1 core / compulsory credits and 2 non-core / optional

credit. In fourth semester, there will be 1 core/ compulsory credit and 2 non-core / optional credit,

for theory. Each practical course shall have 5 core / compulsory credits (PC).

Following is the outline of the course structure.

Semester Theory (60 credits) Practical (40 credits)

Core /Compulsory

(credits)

Non-core /Optional

(credits)

Core / Compulsory

(credits)

I 15 0 10

II 10 5 10

III 5 10 10

IV 5 10 10

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Detail course structure of M.Sc. – Part I

Medium of instruction – English

Workload: There shall be 15 teaching hours per credit (1 hour / credit / week), out of which classroom

contact hours will be 12 and 3 hours for preparation of in-semester continuous assessment comprising of

seminars, mini projects, assignments, library notes, extension works and short quizzes. Each laboratory

course will occupy six hours / week / batch.

Semester Paper code Name of the Subject Credits

Semester I BD - TC 101 Plant Taxonomy, Diversity and Economic

Botany

5 Core

BD - TC 102 Animal Taxonomy and Diversity 5 Core

BD - TC 103 Microbial Taxonomy, Diversity and

Ecology

5 Core

BD - PC 111

Practical

Taxonomy: Field Methods 5 Core

BD - PC 112

Practical

Taxonomy: Lab Methods 5 Core

Semester II BD – TC 201 Ecology and Evolutionary Biology 5 Core

BD – TC 202 Quantitative Biology 5 Core

BD – TNC 203 Biogeography and Human Ecology 5 Non Core

BD – TNC 204 Pollution and Climate Change 5 Non Core

BD – PC 211

Practical

Field Ecology Techniques 5 Core

BD – PC 212

Practical

Quantitative Techniques in Ecology 5 Core

Total Credits 50

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Semester I

Paper code and Title Credit Title

BD – TC 101: Plant

Taxonomy, Diversity and

Economic Botany

Introduction and theory of Plant Taxonomy

Study of plant groups

Study of important families of Angiosperms

Plant diversity application

Biosystematics, diversity studies and human well being

BD – TC 102: Animal

Diversity and Taxonomy

Introduction to animal diversity and taxonomy

Animal study techniques

Classification of Animal kingdom I

Classification of Animal kingdom II

Diversity documentation and dissemination

BD – TC 103: Microbial

Taxonomy, Diversity and

Ecology

Microbial diversity

Culturing microorganisms

Bacterial diversity

Chemical and biochemical methods of analysis

Fungi

BD – PC 111: Practical

Course: Taxonomy - Field

Methods

Study of external morphology of major plant groups, primarily

angiosperms

Use of taxonomic literature

Field visits (various habitats – Dry region, Moist/dry deciduous forest,

Lateritic plateau etc)

Diversity and morphology of Animal taxa

Methods of collection

BD - PC 112: Practical

Course: Taxonomy - Lab

Cultivation, isolation & maintenance of microorganisms (Bacteria &

Fungi) I

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Methods Cultivation, isolation & maintenance of microorganisms (Bacteria &

Fungi) II

Cultivation, isolation & maintenance of microorganisms (Bacteria &

Fungi) III

Protozoan diversity

Species database & Culture collection visit

Semester II

Paper code and Title Credit Title

BD – TC 201: Ecology and

Evolutionary Biology

Population growth and Population interactions

Community ecology

History and development of evolutionary theory

Neutral evolution and molecular clocks

Factors governing biodiversity

BD - TC 202: Quantitative

Biology

Descriptive statistics and measures of dispersion

Probability distribution and Hypothesis testing

Comparison of means, Correlation, Regression

Experimental Design, Factorial Experiments

Multivariate analysis

BD – TNC 203: Biogeography

and Human Ecology

Biogeography

Patterns and types of distributions

Speciation, Island Biogeography

Human Ecology I

Human Ecology II

BD – TNC 204 :

Environmental Pollution and

Introduction to environment, biotic and abiotic factors

Soil Pollution – Causes, Effects and Remedies

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Climate Change Water Pollution – Causes, Effects and Remedies

Air Pollution – Causes, Effects and Remedies

Climate change

BD – PC 211: Practical

Course: Field Ecology

Techniques

Sampling Strategies – Plant taxa

Species area curve, girth class distribution

Importance Value Index, Family Importance Value, Biomass estimation

Sampling strategies - Animal taxa

Use of Maps and Survey of India (SOI) Toposheets

BD – PC 212: Practical

Course: Quantitative

Techniques in Ecology

Introduction to computers, Excel, Univariate analysis

Diversity Indices, similarity and dissimilarity indices

Statistical packages and clustering

Simulation models of growth and population interactions

Methods of estimating population densities and population growth rates

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Detail course structure of M.Sc. – Part II

Semester Paper code Name of the Subject Credits

Semester

III

BD - TC 301 Research Methodology and

Scientific Communication

5 Core

BD - TNC 302 Environmental Impact

Assessment, Laws and

Policies

5 Non Core

BD - TNC 303 Environment and Media 5 Non Core

BD - TNC 304 Agro and Livestock

Diversity

5 Non Core

BD - PC 311 Practical Dissertation - I 5 Core

BD – PC 312 Practical Application of Geographic

Information System and

Wildlife photo

documentation

5 Core

Semester

IV

BD – TC 401 Bioactivity of Secondary

Metabolites and Molecular

Biology

5 Core

BD – TNC 402 Environment Education &

Awareness

5 Non Core

BD – TNC 403 Wild life & Conservation

Biology

5 Non Core

BD – TNC 404 Socio-economic Aspects of

Biodiversity

5 Non Core

BD - PC 411 Practical Dissertation - II 5 Core

BD – PC 412 Practical Molecular Tools in Biology

and Bioanalytical Chemistry

5 Core

Total Credits 50

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Semester III

Paper code and Title Credit Title

BD TC- 301: Research

Methodology and

Scientific Communication

Introduction to scientific enquiry

Types of research methodologies and importance of sampling

Research Ethics

Theory behind scientific communication

Different modes of scientific communication

BD TNC -302

Environmental Impact

Assessment, laws and

policies

India’s national environmental policies

Institutional setup and implementation

Environmental Equity

Environmental Impact Assessment

International Environmental Policies

BD – TNC 303

Environment and Media

Environment and need for environmental journalism

Comparison between traditional and modern journalism, advent of

scientific journalism

Global and local issues related to environment

Environmental journalism and its impact

Various media and their contribution in documentation of their

success stories

BD-TNC 304: Agro and

Livestock Diversity

Origin and development

Cultivation of crops

Management of Agrobiodiversity

Livestock management:

Future of agrobiodiversity and livestock management

BD-PC 311 (Dissertation – I)

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BD PC- 312 Application

of Geographical

Information System and

Wildlife photo

documentation

Basics of GIS, Querying and Analyzing data

Map generation / Layout & Digitisation

Basics of Remote Sensing

Basics of Camera & Photography

Application of photography in scientific research

Semester IV

Paper code and Title Credit Title

BD – TC 401: Bioactivity

of Secondary Metabolites

and Molecular Biology

Natural product chemistry – Primary and Secondary Metabolites

Screening of bioactive molecules

Extraction methods – Physical and chemical

Introduction to Molecular Biology (Structure and Processes)

Genomics and Proteomics

BD-TNC 402:

Environment education

and awareness

Need and scope of environmental education and awareness

Understanding Ecological Disasters

Environment Education and Management of Ecological Disaster

Strategies for effective environmental mitigation

Environmental awareness through practicing restoration ecology

BD- TNC 403: Wildlife

and Conservation Biology

Conservation

Conservation practices - Traditional practices, Modern practices

Rare, Endangered & threatened species, extinct species

Natural habitat and its conservation

Issues related to conservation

BD –TNC 404: Socio- Interaction between social organization and resource use patterns

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economic Aspects of

Biodiversity

Economics of natural resource use

Knowledge systems

(PRA), (RRA)

Origins of innovations and innovation diffusion in the society

BDPC- 411 (Dissertation – II)

BD PC – 412: Molecular

tools in Biology and

Bioanalytical Chemistry

Isolation of Genomic (bacterial/animal/ plant) and plasmid DNA &

Agarose gel electrophoresis. PCR amplification of DNA, Southern

blot and RFLP

Restriction digestion, ligation and Transformation in Prokaryotic

systems

Isolation of cellular protein, PAGE and Western blotting

Screening for antimicrobial compounds from natural sources,

Quantitative assays of antimicrobials

Isolation of secondary metabolites from a natural source

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SEMESTER I

BD – TC 101: Plant Taxonomy, Diversity and Economic Botany

A) i) Introduction: Concept of species, variation (1 Credit)

ii) Theory of plant taxonomy:

a. Introduction to major plant groups

b. Evolutionary relationships between plant groups

- Englerian & Rannalian School of thought

- Bennettitalean, Gnetalian, Pteridosperms & Caytonialean ancestry

b. Nomenclature and History of plant taxonomy

- ICBN,

- Typification concept, Principle of Priority

- Valid & scientific names, Rules regarding coining & rejection of names

- Brief history of plant taxonomy

c. Systems of classification and their application

- Overview of Natural, Artificial & Phylogenetic systems

- Linnaeus, Bentham & Hooker, Engler & Prantl, Hutchinson, APG systems

B) Study of plant groups : (1 Credit)

a. Morphology and anatomy of major plant groups

- Bryophytes (General classification, Case study, Alteration of generations)

- Pteridophytes (General & special features, Case study, Significance of

heterospry, Alteration of generations)

- Gymnosperms (General features, Case study, Similarities with Angiosperms,

Alteration of generations)

- Angiosperms

b. Study of identification characters

- Qulitative, quantitative, synthetic & analytical characters

- Vegetative characters (Leaf type, arrangement, shapes)

- Sexual characters (Floral morphology, study of fruits)

C) Study of important families of Angiosperms (1 Credit)

- Primitive & advanced families including Nymphaeaceae, Annonaceae,

Magnoliaceae, Anacardiaceae, Leguminosae, Rubiaceae, Cucurbitaceae,

Asclepiadaceae, Asteraceae, Acanthaceae, Lamiaceae, Casuarinaceae,

Euphorbiaceae, Liliaceae, Scitaminae, Orchidaceae, Poaceae

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D) Plant diversity application

(i) Economic Botany (1 Credit)

a. Medicinal plants (Plants commonly used in traditional, modern medicine with their

uses)

b. Spices & Condiments (Cinnamon, Clove, Pepper)

c. Beverages (Tea, Coffee, Cocoa)

d. Timber (Teak, Sal)

(ii) Documentation and dissemination:

a. Collection and preservation techniques

b. Recording information in field and laboratory

c. Photography, Illustration

d. Referencing and citation

e. Preparation of keys, reports

E) Biosystematics, its application for diversity studies and human well being (1 Credit)

a. Biosystematics with use of ecology, population biology, chemistry, palynology,

molecular biology and numerical taxonomy

b. Use of reference material (Floras, keys), herbaria and databases for plant identification

c. Non Timber Forest Produce – NTFP (Wild edible plants, minor forest produce) as a

source of human well being

In semester evaluation - Short quizzes, mid-term tests, seminars related to Plant diversity and

Economic Botany

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Suggested Readings :-

1. Naik, V. N. (1984). Taxonomy of Angiosperms. Tata McGraw-Hill Education.

2. Heywood,V., Burmitt, R., Culham, A. and Seberg, O. (2007). Flowering plant families of

the world. Kew Books (Europe) Firefly Books (North America).

3. Pandey, B. P. (2001). A textbook of Botany:Angiosperms- Taxonomy, Anatomy, Economic

Botany & Embryology. S. Chand, Limited.

4. Cooke, T.C. (1958a reprint edition) Flora of the Presidency of Bombay Presidency—Vol. 1

to 3. Botanical Survey of India, Kolkata

5. Singh N.P & S. Karthikeyan (eds.) (2000). Flora of Maharashtra—Vol. I and II Series 2.

Botanical Survey of India, Kolkata

6. Talbot, W.A. (1911). Forest Flora of the Bombay Presidency and Sind . Vol. 2 ( Poona :

Government Photozicographic Press).

7. Jain, D.K. and Singh, V. (2012). Taxonomy of Angiosperms. 8th Ed. Rastogi Publications.

8. Maiti, R. K. and Singh, V. P. (2009). An introduction to Modern Economic Botany.

Agrobios.

9. Kochhar, S. L. (2012). Economic Botany In the Tropics, 4/e. Macmillan Publishers India.

10. Nehra, S. (2007). Economic Botany. Pointer Publishers.

11. Hill, A. F. (). Economic Botany: A Textbook of Useful Plants and Plant Products 2nd

edition. McGraw-Hill.

12. Simpson, B. and Ogorzaly, M. (2001). Economic Botany: Plants in our world. McGraw-

Hill.

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BD - TC 102: Animal Diversity and Taxonomy

A) Introduction to Animal Diversity and Taxonomy (1 Credit)

a. Principles and rules of Taxonomy, ICZN Rules

b. Concepts of taxon, categories, holotype, paratype, topotype etc.

c. Ethical and Humane treatment to animals, DOs and DON’Ts.

d. Preservation of animal specimens for taxonomic purposes.

e. Field data collection for taxonomic studies.

B) Animal Study Techniques (1 Credit)

a. Methods of Field data collection for taxonomic studies

b. Use of techniques like net sweeping, pit fall traps, light traps, Berlese funnel, smoking,

aspirators, mark-recapture

c. Use of Taxonomic literature and study of key characters for identification of the

specimen.

C) Classification of Animal kingdom I (1 Credit)

a. Brief classification of animals

b. Study of invertebrates upto class level for

Echinoderms, Annelids, Molluscs, Arthropods (study in detail about Crustacea,

Arachnida, Chilopoda, Diplopoda, Hexapoda)

D) Classification of Animal kingdom II (1 Credit)

a. Study of vertebrate orders

Amphibians, Reptiles, Birds, Fish, Mammals

b. Minor phyla and their importance in phylogeny, connecting links.

E) Documentation and dissemination (1 Credit)

a. Collection and preservation techniques

b. Noting key characters for information recording on field

c. Photodocumentation of diagnostic features

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d. Description of species

e. Referencing and citation

f. Preparation of keys, reports

In semester evaluation - Case studies, seminar, group discussions, related to environmental

component pertaining to Wildlife, Animal Behaviour

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Suggested Readings :-

1. Smith, M. A. (1943). The fauna of British India, Ceylon and Burma including the whole

Indo-chinese Sub- region Reptilia and Amphibia.3(Serpentes) London: Taylor and Francis.

2. Alcock, J. (2009) Animal Behavior: An Evolutionary Approach (9th edition). Sinauer

Associates, Sunderland, MA.

3. Ali, S.and Ripley,S. (1999). Handbook of birds of India and Pakistan Edn.2 Oxford

University Press.

4. Daccordi, Triberti and Zanetti (1988). The MacDonald Encyclopedia of Butterflies And

Moths. Macdonald, London.

5. Ali, S. and Ripley, S.D. (1983). A pictorial Guide to the Birds of the Indian Subcontinent.

Bombay Natural History Society and Oxford University Press.

6. Prater, S.H. (1971). The book of Indian animals. 3rd Edn, Bombay Natural History Society

and Oxford University Press.

7. Preston-Mafham and Preston-Mafham. (2003). Primates of the World. Facts On File Inc.

8. Kotpal, R.L. (2005). Arthropoda. 11th Edn. Rastogi Publications.

9. Kotpal, R.L. (2012). Modern Text Book of Zoology, Invertebrates, 10th Edn. Rastogi

Publications.

10. Preston-Mafham. (1993). The Encyclopaedia of Land Invertebrate Behaviour.

London: Blandford Press.

11. Ashlock, P.D. (1991). Principles of Systematic Zoology, 2nd Edn. Mcgraw-Hill College.

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BD – TC 103: Microbial Taxonomy, Diversity and Ecology

A) Microbial Diversity (1 Credit)

a. Microbes and Earth History

b. Magnitude, occurrence and distribution.

c. Concept of species, Criteria for classification, Outline classification microorganisms

(Bacteria, Viruses and Protozoa)

d. Overview of methods in taxonomy of bacteria

B) Culturing microorganisms (1 Credit)

a. Cultivation and isolation of microorganisms – Aerobic and Anaerobic methods

b. Nutritional requirements, Growth media and cultivation, Pure culture isolation,

enrichment, maintainance and culture collection.

c. Micro-organisms in extreme environments

d. Newer approaches for exploring unculturable bacteria.

C) Bacteria (1 Credit)

a.Morphology in Actinomycetes, Cyanobacteria ,Myxobacteria, Mycoplasma, Spirochetes

b.Biochemical characterization- Gram Character, Enteric bacteria, Aerobic and

Anaerobic bacteria,

c.Serotyping, Phage typing.

d.Major classes of bacteria of ecological, agricultural and environmental importance.

D) Chemical and biochemical methods of analysis: (1 Credit)

a. Cell wall composition, analysis

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b. Lipids and fatty acid profile analysis

c. Protein profiles and isozymes analysis

E) Fungi: (1 Credit)

Criteria for classification and identification -

Types of vegetative forms, Types of spores, fruiting bodies, life cycles.

a. Outline classification of fungal kingdom

b.Taxonomic keys, Identification keys

In semester evaluation - Assignments, library notes, presentations related to microbial ecological

interactions: Bioremediation, Biocontrol

Suggested Readings :-

1. Breed et. al. (1952). Bergey’s Manual of Determinative Bacteriology. 7th Edition, The

Williams & Wilkins Company, Baltimore.

2. Breed and Buchanan. (1982). Bergey’s Manual of Determinative Bacteriology. 9th Edition,

The Williams & Wilkins Company, Baltimore.

4. Watve, M.G and Paknikar, S.K. (1996). Microbiology: A practical approach, Manali

Prakashan-Pune

5. Prescott, L.M., Harley, J.P., and Klein D.A. (2005). Microbiology, 6th Edn.

MacGraw Hill Companies Inc.

6. Pelczar, M. J, Jr. and Chan, E.C.S. (1981). Elements of microbiology. Tokyo: Kogakusha-

McGraw Hill.

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7. Stanier, R.Y., Adelberg, E.A. and Ingraham, J.L. (1987) General Microbiology, 5th Edn.

Macmillan Press Ltd.

8. Tortora, G.J., Funke, B.R. and Case, C.L. (2006). Microbiology: An Introduction. 8th Edn.

Pearson Education Inc.

9. Mukerji, K. G. and Manoharachary, C. (2010). Taxonomy And Ecology Of Indian Fungi, I.

K. International Pvt Ltd.

10. Nelson, D. L. and Cox, M. M. (2002). Lehninger’s Principles of Biochemistry, Mac

Millan Worth Pub. Co. New Delhi.

11. J. T. Bonner., Researches on cellular slime moulds: selected papers

12. Zimmer, C. (2011). The planet of Viruses. University Chicago Press.

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BD – PC 111: Taxonomy - Field Methods

(1 Credit)

a. Study of external morphology of major plant groups, primarily angiosperms

- Leaf morphology, habit variation

- Floral morphology and variation

- Types of aestivation & placentation

- Study of fruits

(1 Credit)

b. Identification and description using taxonomic literature

- Visits to herbaria, gardens, culture collections (BSI, ZSI)

- Preparation of dichotomous keys

(1 Credit)

c. Survey of local market for studying vegetable diversity

- Visit to lateritic plateaus, grasslands, forests to understand plant diversity

- Collection and preservation of different plant groups primarily angiosperms

(1 Credit)

d. Collection & morphology of Insects

- Field visit to study diversity of Arachnids

- Visit to local fish market for identification, morphometry

- Study of Amphibians, Reptiles by visit to forest areas

(1 Credit)

e. Methods of dry and wet preservation of animals

- Study of traps

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- Pitfall, light, pan traps

- Photography and illustration in field and laboratory conditions

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BD - PC 112: Taxonomy - Lab Methods

(1Credit)

a. Cultivation, isolation & maintenance of microorganisms (Bacteria & Fungi) I

- Introduction to Tools, Instruments and equipments used in Basic Microbiological work.

- Nutritional requirements

- Growth media

(1 Credit)

b. Cultivation, isolation & maintenance of microorganisms (Bacteria & Fungi) II

- Pure culture isolation

- Observing bacteria (Staining techniques – monochrome, differential, negative, Motility)

(1 Credit)

c. Cultivation, isolation & maintenance of microorganisms (Bacteria & Fungi) III

-Enrichment media for (Different groups of microorganisms – Acid producers, Antibiotic

producers, Actinomycetes, environmentally important fungi and bacteria, cyanobacteria

etc.)

(1 Credit)

d. Methods of cultivation and identification of Protozoans and microscopic crustaceans.

(1 Credit)

e. Species databases and Molecular methods of taxonomy, numerical taxonomy

Visit to culture collection centers

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SEMESTER II

BD – TC 201: Ecology and Evolutionary Biology

A) Population growth and Population interactions: (1 Credit)

a. Growth types and growth models, exponential, logistic and chemostat models and their

variants, populations with age structure, age class distributions, Effect of environment on

population growth. stochasticity in growth

b. Growth efficiency and growth yield: Laws of thermodynamics, energetics of growth,

biomass conversion rates. r and K selection strategies.

c. Types of interactions, models of competition, predator-prey dynamics. Empirical and

experimental studies on population interactions

B) Community ecology: (1 Credit)

Definition of population and community, characteristics of community, composition of

community, structure/ stratification of community,

a. ecological succession

b. habitat, niche and guild

c. relationship between ecosystem stability and diversity

d. floristic regions of the world with emphasis in India

C) History and development of evolutionary theory (1 Credit)

a. Neodarwinism: spontaneous mutation controversy, effects of natural selection on

populations, stabilizing and dispersing selections, Levels of selection, group selection

controversy, selfish gene theory.

b. Kin selection and sociobiology, evolution of cooperation, sociality, game theory.

D) Neutral evolution and molecular clocks (1 Credit)

a. Molecular diversity, phylogeny and molecular distances,

b. Reconstructing evolutionary origins from molecular studies.

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c. Evolution and stability of sex, sexual selection, evolution of secondary sexual characters

E) Factors governing biodiversity (1 Credit)

a. Biodiversity hot-spots, diversity distribution, factors affecting diversity,

b. Impact of exotic species, disturbance on diversity, dispersal, diversity-stability relationship

In semester evaluation – Paper presentations, Assignments related to ecosystem interactions

Suggested Readings :-

1. Jha, A. P. (1993). Genes and Evolution. Darbhanga: Macmillan India.

2. Dennett, D.C. (1995). Darwin's dangerous idea, Evolution and Meaning of Life. Simon &

Schuster.

3. Simpson, G.G. (1949). The meaning of evolution, A Study of the History of Life and of Its

Significance for Man. Oxford University Press.

4. Milner, R. (1999). Charles Darwin: Evolution of a Naturalist. Universities Press.

5. Magguran, A.E. (1996). Ecological diversity and its measurements. Princeton University.

6. Gadgil, M. () A methodology mannual for scientific inventorying, monitoring and

conservation of Biodiversity

7. Planet Earth: The view from space

8. Attenborough, D. The private life of plants. 1st Edn. BBC Worldwide Ltd.

9. Sutherland, W. (2006). Ecological census technique: A Handbook, 2nd Edn. Cambridge

University Press.

10. Odum, E. and Barett, G. (2005). Fundamentals of Ecology. Thomson Brooks/Cole.

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BD - TC 202: Quantitative Biology

A) Descriptive Statistics, Measures of central tendancies and Measures of Dispersion (1 credit)

a. Need for statistics / application of statistics.

b. Data classification and representation - Classification of data, tabulation, graphical

representation.

c. Measures of central tendencies and significance

d. Measures of dispersion – absolute and relative and significance

B) Probability distribution and Hypothesis testing (1 credit)

a. Probability distributions – binomial, poisson, normal.

b. Non-Normal distributions

c. Central limit theorem, confidence interval.

d. Hypothesis testing and statistical inference, concept of Null hypothesis, significance

level, Type I & II errors.

C) Comparison of means, Correlation, Regression (1 credit)

a. t - test family – paired, unpaired.

b. nonparametric tests – Mann Whitney U test, chi squared.

b. Correlation - Pearson’s correlation, Non-parametric correlation.

c. Regression - Linear regression, Multiple regression.

D) Experimental Design, Factorial Experiments (1 credit)

a. Factorial experiments, ANOVA, MANOVA.

b. Experimental and Sampling design, CRD, RBD, Latin squares.

c. Sampling strategies and selection of sampling strategies, Optimization of sample size.

E) Multivariate analysis (1 credit)

a. Measuring and testing multivariate distances,

b. Ordination and Principle Component Analysis

c. Cluster analysis- strategies of clustering– merits & demerits.

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d. Construction of Dendograms, rooted and unrooted trees, interpreting phylogenetic

relationships.

In semester evaluation - A mini project involving statistical designing of a mock project

Suggested readings :-

1. Gore, A. P. and Paranjpe, S. A. (2001). A Course in Statistical Ecology. Kluwer Academic

Publishers, Holland.

2. Anderson, D.R.; Sweeney, D.J. and Williams, T.A.. (1994) Introduction to Statistics:

Concepts and Applications. West Group.

3. Zar, J.H. (1999). Biostatistical Analysis, 4th Edn. Northern Illinois University.

4. Bailey, N.T.J. (1959). Statistical methods in Biology, English Universities Press Limited.

5. Sokal, R.. and Rohlf, F. J. (2012) Biometry: Principles and practice of statistics in

biological research, 4th Edn. W. H. Freeman and Co.

6. Krantz, S.G. (1998). A primer of mathematical writing, American Mathematical Society.

7. Cochran, W.G. and Snedeco, G.W. (1967). Statistical Methods, 7th Edn. Ames, IA: lowa

State University Press.

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BD – TNC 203: Biogeography and Human Ecology

A) Biogeography (1 Credit)

a. Origin and development of the Earth, Geological time scale and development of life

b. Phytogeography, Biomes

c. Floristic regions and vegetation zones of Maharashtra and India.

d. Zoogeographical realms, types & their characteristic faunal divisions

e. Factors influencing distribution of plant and animal life

B) Patterns and types of distributions (1 Credit)

a. Present day plant and animal distributions (w.r.t. Western Ghats)

b. Centers of dispersals and pattern of dispersal, Mobility and migration, Geographical checks

or barriers to dispersal / movement.

c. Patterns of distribution with examples.

d. Adaptation and competition, Species range, territoriality.

C) (i) Speciation, Island Biogeography (1 Credit)

a. Meaning and scope, types of speciation.

b. Variety of Island habitats, Problems of isolation, Hazards of island life.

c. Opportunities for adaptive radiation.

d. Case studies – real island, functional island, Island biodiversity models.

(ii) Application of Biogeography - Application of biogeographical knowledge in the following

fields - Introduction to Remote sensing and GIS.

D) Human Ecology I (1 Credit)

a. History of man – nature interactions, Role of bioresources in shaping human culture.

b. Agriculture – Origin, Spread, Changes, Challenges.

c. Animal Husbandry - Origin, Spread, Changes, Challenges.

d. Human – nature conflict, Human impact on distribution, consequences.

E) Human Ecology II (1 Credit)

a. Natural resources : Overview and distribution

30

b. Edaphic factors, socio-economic issues of biodiversity, success stories about restoration

etc.

c. Resource Use Patterns – Diversity, Specificity, Sustainable utilization of bioresources.

In semester evaluation – Case studies related to speciation, dispersal models etc.

Suggested readings :-

1. Mani, M.S. (1974). Biogeography of India,1st Edn. Springer.

2. Abele, L.G. (1982). Systematics, the fossil record and biogeography. Proceedings of the

Biological Society of Washington 93(2): 362-372

3. Gadgil, M. et. al. A Methodology Manual for Documenting People's Priorities

for Biodiversity and Conservation. Shrustiygyaan.

4. A walk on the wild side (an information guide to National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries

of Karnataka), Karnataka forest Department.

5. Malhotra, K.C. et. al. (2001). Cultural and Ecological Dimensions of Sacred Groves in

India. INSA, New Delhi.

6. Who’s Eden? An overview of community approaches to wildlife management. (1994)

International institute of environment and development (IIED).

7. Ganguli, P. (1998). Gearing up for Patents: The Indian Scenario. Hyderabad Universities

Press (India).

8. Chapman, J.L. and Reiss, M.J. (1998). Ecology: Principles and applications. Cambridge

University Press.

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BD - TNC 204 : Environmental Pollution and Climate Change

A) Introduction (1 Credit)

a. Environment and its definition, Natural resources: Overview and distribution, Biotic and

Abiotic factors, Optimum use, overuse, Quality and Quantity of these resources-past and

present

b. Renewable and Non renewable resources

c. Pollution and its definition, Types of pollution-Introduction, Manmade pollution

B) Soil Pollution (1 Credit)

a. Importance of the resource, Optimum use, overuse of the resource

b. Causes – Natural and Manmade : deforestation, Over irrigation, use of chemical pesticides

and fertilizers, urbanization, dumping

c. Effects – soil erosion, reduction in fertility, Biomagnification, Salination, toxicity, its

effects on soil life-forms, underground soil pollution and other short term and long term

effects

d. Remedies - Afforestation, less use of chemical pesticides and fertilizers, Solid waste

treatment, optimum irrigation.

e. Case study – Mining industries

C) Water Pollution (1 Credit)

a. Importance of the resource and its characteristics Optimum use, overuse of the resource

b. Causes – Natural and Manmade : deforestation, Over irrigation, Agrochemicals,

urbanization, Industrial waste, dumping of domestic sewage, Oil spills, Heavy metals,

Thermal pollution

c. Effects – Eutrophication, decrease in quality of water, toxicity, its effects on water life-

forms, underground water pollution and other short term and long term effects

d. Remedies - Afforestation, less use of chemical pesticides and fertilizers, Industrial effluent

treatment, 5Rs (Refuse, Reduce, Reuse, Recycle and Recover)

e. Case study – Ganga River pollution

D) Air Pollution (1 Credit)

a. Importance of the resource, Composition and pollutant

b. Causes – Natural and Manmade : Forest fires, Agricultural pattern, Industrialization,

Urbanization, dumping

c. Effects – Ozone depletion, Increase in CO, Increase in particulate matter, Acid rain, Green

house effect, Global warming, Effects on Wildlife, pollution and other short term and long

term effects

d.Remedies – Use of renewable resources, Less use of petroleum products.

e. Case study – London Smog, Bhopal disaster

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E) Climate Change (1 Credit)

a. Impact of climate change, Community response and Government policies, Ecological

footprint, Clean Development Mechanism (CDM)

b. Earth summit, Kyoto protocol, Framework convention on Climate change (UNFCCC)

Assignments: Review writing on effect of climate change on biodiversity, Case studies on soil

erosion control techniques, review on bio indicators of water quality

Suggested readings :-

1. Watt, K.E.F. (1973). Principles of Environmental Science, McGraw – Hill Book Company

2. Kumar, H. (2001). Environmental Health Hazards, Ivy Publishing House, Delhi.

3. Desai, A. V. (1990). Energy Economics, Wiley Eastern, Bombay

4. Mittal, K. M. (1997). Non-conventional Energy System, Wheeler publisher, New Delhi.

5. Trivedi, R. K. and Goel P. K. (1980). Chemical and Biological method for water pollution

studies, Environmental Publications Karad, India 215.

6. Santra, S. C. (2001). Environment Science, New Central Book Agency (P) Ltd.

7. Agarwal, K. C. (1989), Environmental Biology, Agrobotanical Publishers

8. Todd, D.K. (1980). Ground water Hydrology, John Willey & sons publishers, New York.

9. Achanta,A.N. ( 1993). Climate Change Agenda: An Indian Perspective, Tata Energy

Research Institute, New Delhi.

10. Tuve,G.L. (1976). Energy, Environment, Population and Food: Our Four Interdependent

Crisis, John Wiley & Sons Inc., New York

33

BD – PC 211: Field Ecology Techniques

(1 Credit)

a. Introduction to sampling and sample size.

b. Sampling units- Quadrats & Transects

c. Sampling of various life forms (herbs, shrubs, trees, lianas)

(1 Credit)

d. Species area curve, species abundance distribution,

e. Girth class distribution, Regeneration

(1 Credit)

f. Estimation of IVI, FIV

g. Biomass estimation

h. Estimation of Ecological indices

(1 Credit)

i. Estimating bird, insects, mammal densities using appropriate strategies

(1 Credit)

j. Introduction to Maps – Contours, Field Maps

k. Study of SOI Toposheets and its use in sampling

l. Use of Compass & GPS for making field maps

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BD - PC 212: Quantitative Techniques in Ecology

(1 Credit)

a. Introduction to computers

b. Introduction to Excel. Use of spreadsheets

c. Use of excel in univariate analysis

(1 Credits)

d. Indices of α-diversity, species rarefaction

e. β-diversity similarity & dissimilarity indices

(1 Credit)

f. Use of BD Pro, PAST

g. Statistical packages for performing statistical tests

h. Use of clustering algorithms.

(1 Credit)

i. Determining allelic frequencies in a population

j. Growth curve

k. Simulation models of growth and population interactions

(1 Credit)

l. Methods of estimating population densities and population growth rates in plants, animals

and microorganisms, optimum harvesting and sustainability

35

SEMESTER III

BD TC- 301: Research Methodology and Scientific Communication

I. Research Methodology

A. Introduction to scientific enquiry (1 credit)

a. History of Science

i. What is Science, Origin of Science, Trends in Natural Sciences?

ii. Transition from Natural History to Enquiry based study in biology

b. Philosophy of Science

i. General introduction to Philosophy of Science

ii. The differences in discipline specific philosophies (e.g. how philosophy of

biology might differ from that of the physics, etc.)

c. Phases of Scientific Enquiry

d. Problem identification/ beginning of scientific approach / Hypothesis

e. Choosing an appropriate system/s (Species, Ecosystem, Forest Type etc.)

f. Design of a study / Plan of work

g. Data Collection (Questionnaires, Surveys, PBR, PRA/RRA and Literature review)

h. Data Analysis

i. Summary and Conclusions

B. Types of research methodologies and importance of sampling (1credit)

a. Observation based

b. Hypothesis based

c. Meta-analysis based

d. Theoretical based

e. Importance of sampling in research

f. Role of the study design in the choice of sampling technique

g. Sampling effort in context of statistical analysis

h. Limitations of sampling natural systems with examples

C. Research Ethics (1credit)

a. Social implications of research

b. Animal experimentation ethics, wild-life ethics and human experimentation ethics

c. Ethics in science and research -data fudging, plagiarism, etc.

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II. Scientific Communication

A. Theory behind scientific communication (1credit)

a. Importance of scientific communication

b. Types of scientific communications – traditional and modern

c. Logical organization of scientific data

d. Ethics in Scientific communication

B. Different modes of scientific communication (1credit)

a. Proposal writing

i. Statement of Purpose (SOP) and Concept note

ii. Proposal for funding

iii. Report Writing

b. Research paper writing

i. Different types of research articles -Reviews, short notes, full paper, letters

to editors, etc.

ii. Concept of peer reviewing

iii. Standard components of research communication

c. Thesis writing

d. Oral forms of scientific communication

i. Transformation of written content to oral form

ii. Poster presentation

iii. Oral presentations

e. Scientific journalism (Print/media)

i. Science issues in public domain (explanation with case studies)

ii. Importance of scientific truth/fact and ethics in the communication

f. Legal forms of communication of science

IPR, patents submissions, registration of plant / crop variety, etc.

SUGGESTED ASSIGNMENTS:

Development of a mock research paper and its presentation

Review writing assignment

Proposal development for application to national level funding agencies

Scientific communication for print media/electronic media

37

SUGGESTED READINGS:

1. Anthony M. Graziano, Michael,L. Raulin, Research Methods: A Process of Inquiry 6th Ed

2. Barrow and Tipler (1988) The Anthropic Principle, Oxford University press

3. Bowles, K. L. (1977) Problem Solving using Pascal, Berlin: Springer- Verlag.

4. Dawkins, R. (1998). Unweaving the Rainbow,Penguin Publication, London

5. Grafen, A. and Ridley, M., (2006) Richard Dawkins: How a scientist changed the way we think.

Oxford University Press.

6. Martha Davis (2005) Scientific Papers and Presentations

7. Maynard Smith, J. (1986) The Problems of Biology, Oxford: Oxford University Press

8. Medawar, P. B. and Medawar, J. S. (1977). The Life Science: Current Ideas of Biology,

Wildwood House, London

9. P. B. Medawar, Advice to a young Scientist

10. Strunk, Jr., W. White, E.B., (1979) The Elements of Style, 3rd Ed.,

11. Yatendra Joshi, Communicating in Style, New Delhi TERI 2003

38

BD TNC -302 Environmental Impact Assessment, laws and policies

A) India’s national environmental policies (1 credit)

a. History of environmental awareness

b. Basics and principles related to development of environmental policies

B) Institutional setup and implementation (1 credit)

a. Responsibilities of centre and state governments

b. Institutional setup and implementation authorities

c. Various laws and policies (Wildlife protection act, forest act, tribal act, biodiversity

conservation act, environmental protection act, )

C) Environmental Equity (1 credit)

a. Domestic issues

b. Executive, legislative, judiciary protocols

c. Proactive measures to sustain environmental equity

D) Environmental Impact Assessment (1 credit)

a. Principles of E.I.A

b. Cost and benefit analysis

c. Overview of a process with special reference to India

d. Environmental Management Systems

E) International Environmental Policies (1 credit)

a. International laws, treaties ( UNCHE, IUCN, WWF, UNFCCC ,Earth Summit, CBD

Ramsar Convention, Kyoto Protocol, Copenhagen Summit)

b. Responsibility sharing, experience at international level

c. Intellectual property rights and patents

SUGGESTED ASSIGNMENTS:

Case studies – infrastructure projects, irrigation projects, mines, power-projects

RTI projects, purpose, follow-up, documentation & conclusion

Patent search, Drafting of mock patent

39

SUGGESTED READINGS:

1. Anjaneyulu Y. (2002) Environmental Impact Assessment Methodologies. B.S Publication

Hyderabad.

2. Anjaneyulu, Y. and Manickam, V. (2002).Environmental Impact Assessment Methodologies.

B.S. Publications.

3. Boland, R.G.A. (Ed) (1993).Environmental Management Training. Sterling Publishers Pvt. Ltd.

New Delhi.

4. Canter, S.L.(1996)Environmental Impact Assessment.2nd Edition. McGraw-hill Book Company,

New York.

5. Cutter, S.L. (1999) Environmental Risks and Hazards. Prentice Hall of India, New Delhi.

4. Declaration of: The Stockholm Conference, Rio, Rio+5 and Rio+10.

6. Glasson, J. Therivel, R. and Chadwick, A.(2006)Introduction to Environmental Impact

Assessment. Routledge, London.

7. Jaswal,P.S. and Jaswal,N. Environmental Law. Pioneer Publications, Delhi. 2003.

8. Khitolia, R.K. Environmental Management and Conservation , Chand Publication.

9. Kulkarni, V. and Ramachandra, T.V. (2006).Environmental Management. Capitol Pub. Co.,

New Delhi.

10.Leelakrishnan,P.(2005).Environmental Law in India. LexisNexis Butterworths Wadhwa,

Nagpur.

11. Morris, P. and Therivel R. (Eds) (2001) Methods of Environmental Impact Assessment. 2nd

Edition, Spon Press London.

11. Paliwal, U.L. (2002) Environment Audit. Indus Valley Publications. Jaipur

12. Petts, J. Handbook of Environmental Impact Assessment- Volume 1 and 2. Blackwell

13. Shastri, S.C. (2008) Environmental law in India. Eastern Book Co, Lucknow.

14. The Wildlife [Protection] Act, 1972 [as amended up to 1991, Natraj Publishers, Dehradun,

India, 1994.

15. Tiwari, R. K. (2007) Global Environmental Policies. A B D Publishers.

40

BD – TNC 303 Environment and Media

A) Environment and need for environmental journalism (1 credit)

a. Basic concepts and perspectives

b. Environment and society

c. Relation of environment with development, economy and health

d. Analysis of current status of environmental journalism

e. Comparison of Indian and global media

f. Issues raised by media.

B) Comparison between traditional and modern journalism, advent of scientific journalism

(1 credit)

a. Types of media – an overview

b. Historical perspectives

c. Comparison of traditional with modern media

d. Scientific journalism – A role in environmental issues and societal progress

C) Global and local issues related to environment (1 credit)

a. Environment and development

b. Biodiversity conservation

c. Pollution

d. Energy

e. Management of natural resources

f. Climate change

D) Environmental journalism and its impact (1 credit)

a. Generation of awareness amongst masses

b. Conversion into action, social response.

c. Policy making

d. Implementation level

E) Various media and their contribution in documentation of their success stories

(1 credit)

a. Contribution of media

Print media, Audio media, Audio visual media, and Social media

41

SUGGESTED ASSIGNMENTS:

Case studies related to impactful media coverage like Kesari ( weekly,1920) dealing with issues

related to construction of Mulshi dam by Tata, a book by Rachael Carson, The silent spring

leading to environmental conservation movement or initiatives by Green Peace

SUGGESTED READINGS:

1. Aruna murthy, Vasundhara, Bhuwaneshwar, (2005) EIA process in India and its drawbacks

2. Corporate document repository, www.fao.org

3. Dr Y Prabhanjan Yadav, Role of communication in climate change and sustainable

development, Global media journal, Indian ed vol 2, no 2

4. J. Taylor Miller, Thomson, Environmental sciences

5. Michael P Murphy and Luke A. J . O’ Neill. What is life? the next 50 years

6. Priya Uttam, K ‘Cherry and Tripat Kaur, Global environmental issues

7. Ramsar convention – India, Current science, vol-101, no 10, 25th Nov 2011

8. R S Deshpande, Current land policy issues in India

9. Rachael Carson (1962), The silent spring, Houghton Mifflin

10. Richard Mabey , The oxford book of nature writing

11. State mineral policy and related matters (manual) govt of Maharashtra, 1999.

Important links / websites

1) www.myfootprint.org

2) www.ramsar.org

3) www.moef.nic.in

42

BD-TNC 304: Agro and Livestock Diversity

A) Origin and development (1credit)

a. History of domestication of plants and animals

b. Centres of origin and wild relatives of crops

c. Centres of origin and wild ancestors of animals

d. Spread across the globe

e. Nomenclature of cultivated plants and domesticated animals

B) Cultivation of crops (1credit)

a. Traditional methods: permanent, shifting, home-gardens

b. Modern methods: Common/co-operative, state controlled, mechanical

c. Mono-cropping versus poly-cropping

Intercropping, Mixed cropping, Sequential cropping, Overlapping cropping

d. Crop interactions: Amnidation, Allelopathy

e. Breeding methods: Traditional and modern methods

C) Management of Agrobiodiversity (1 credit)

a. Documenting information in field and lab

b. Experimental cultivation and commercial cultivation

c. Ex-situ and in-situ conservation (Rice, Wheat, Timber, etc)

D) Livestock management: (1credit)

a. Varieties/breeds of cattle, buffaloes, goat, sheep, horses and their economic importance

b. Management and scope in Aquaculture / Piscicullture, Sericulture, Apiary, Poultry,

c. Animals in research: rats, mice, rabbits, guinea pigs, etc

F) Future of agrobiodiversity and livestock management (1credit)

a. Diversified farming

b. Climate changes and its impact on traditional agro-climatic zones

c. Changes in cropping patterns-shift to cash crops

d. Industries and other infrastructure development on farmlands.

43

SUGGESTED ASSIGNMENTS:

Field visits for diversified farming assessment, multilayered farming assessmentField visit to

poultry, fishery, animal house

SUGGESTED READINGS:

1. Amalendu Chakraborty, Handbook of Animal Husbandry Sciences

2. Dahama, O.P & O.P.Bhatnagar (1994). Education and Communication for development,

New Delhi, IPH

3. Directorate of Extn. Govt. of India (1961). Extension Education in Community developments

4. Hans Raj (1992). Theory and Practice in Social Research.

5. Handbook of Animal Husbandry, ICAR publication

6. Kuppuswamy,B. (1994). Social Change in India

7. Sastry, N.S.R, Reddy, D.P.R. and Hermon,R.R, ( 1993). Planning for Development of

Animal Husbandry Sector. National Institute of Rural Development, Hyderabad.

8. Sastry, N. S. R and Thomas, C. K. (2005). Livestock Production Management, Kalyanai

Publishers, Ludhiana: Chapters on " Extension and livestock development, Livestock

Extension, Participatory and Rapid Rural Appraisal"

44

Dissertation

BD-PC 311 (Dissertation – I) and PC 411 (Dissertation – II)

Students will undertake a dissertation in the second year and depending upon the nature of

their planned work, they will have an option of doing it in either 3rd or 4th semester.

1. Dissertation can be carried out by a single student or by group of maximum three students

(where the group should not contain more than three students). The dissertation report will be

prepared as per the thesis format. Submission of the dissertation report will be at least three days

before the date of examination. One copy of the report will be preserved in the department. If there

is more than one student carrying out a single dissertation, a single report can be submitted and

these students will be assessed based on single oral presentation. In such case, presentation should

be carried out by all the students carrying out the same work; dividing the presentation equally

among them.

2. Students must submit a registration form duly completed at the end of second semester. The

form should contain details like the proposed area of work, brief description of the problem, name

and signature of the student and supervisor. In case of projects chosen outside the department, a

copy of the consent letter or mail from the supervisor must be attached with the form. For project

works chosen outside College, involving other research Institutes and supervisors, there should be

one faculty coordinator from Dept. of College who will interact with the student throughout the

project period.

3. Students will undertake dissertation in the second year, in the third and fourth semester. The

final evaluation of the dissertation shall be conducted at the end of the second year as per the rules

of SPPU.

4. At the time of presentation, the external and internal examiners appointed by the university will

be present; the dissertation guide may or may not be present.

5. Presentation should be carried out to an audience comprising of examiners appointed by the

university, departmental teaching staff and the postgraduate students of the department. Oral

presentation can be carried out using posters, blackboard, transparencies, model or LCD projector.

45

The allotted time for each oral presentation (one project) should be 10 to 12 minutes, followed by

question answer session of 5 to 8 minutes. The audience can participate in this session.

6. The assessment of the dissertation is for total of 200 marks, out of which the university

examinations assessment – end-semester - will be for 100 marks and the in-semester assessment

will be for 100 marks.

7. In-Semester evaluation will be for 100 marks for the courses BD-311 and BD-411 and will be

carried out by the guide who has supervised the work of the candidate(s) throughout the semester.

The assessment will be carried out on the basis of the points given in the accompanied guidelines.

Head of the department should communicate this point wise assessment system to the dissertation

supervisor (Guide), well in advance. Guide will give appropriate marks, point-wise and submit it in

a sealed envelope to the Head of the respective department, three days prior to examination and

project presentation. On the day of examination, Head of the department will hand over these

unopened envelopes to the examiners.

8. End-Semester evaluation will be for 100 marks for the courses BD-311 and BD-411 and will be

carried out jointly by internal and external examiners at the time of final oral presentation for

individual student. The assessment will be carried out on the basis of the points given in the

accompanied guidelines.

9. Students should be made aware of the assessment parameters, on which they will be assessed at

the end of the fourth semester.

10. The external and internal examiners by mutual agreement will appropriately settle the marks

given by the guide (reconsider, if necessary) and marks of final oral presentation and submit the

mark lists for both courses (BD PC 311 and BD PC 411) to the Coordinator of the M. Sc.

Examination Panel for that examination.

46

I. Guidelines for dissertation evaluation:

In-Semester evaluation

Point-wise mark sheet – to be filled in by the Guide

BD – PC 311 - Dissertation – I

Criteria Max. Marks Evaluation

Project Concept / Defining scope of work / Hypothesis

generation & Presentation

10

Literature review 10

Inputs of students in development of work plan, ideas,

implementation.

15

Motivation – punctuality, perseverance, meeting deadlines 05

Ability to work with others 05

Communication skill

05

Total 50

BD – PC 411 - Dissertation - II

Criteria Max. Marks Evaluation

Presentation at the end of 4th Semester 10

Actual field work / experimentation / data generation 20

Field book or lab diary 10

Presentation at National / International Symposia 05

Developing independent proposal for funding 05

Total 50

47

I. Guidelines for dissertation evaluation:

End-Semester evaluation

BD – PC 311 - Dissertation - I

Point-wise mark sheet to be filled in by the Internal Examiner

(Based on oral presentation and viva-voce of the dissertation as end-semester evaluation)

Course BD – PC 411 – Dissertation - II

Point-wise mark sheet to be filled in by the External Examiner

(Based on oral presentation and viva-voce of the dissertation as end-semester evaluation)

Points for evaluation Max. Marks Evaluation

Submission of progress reports, the dissertation report

preparation (scientific writing) and its contents-

15

Quality of the work, results, data analysis, interpretation of

results and discussions, outcome of the study/ salient findings,

and possible future plans, publication potential of the work

15

Proficiency of presentation skills – use of audio-visual aids,

preparation of graphs, charts, models, etc., use of scientific

language, time limit , clarity in presentation, etc.

15

Abilities of satisfactory responses to the queries from the

audience

05

50

Points for evaluation Max. Marks Evaluation

Submission of progress reports, the dissertation report

preparation (scientific writing) and its contents-

15

Quality of the work, results, data analysis, interpretation of

results and discussions, outcome of the study/ salient findings,

and possible future plans, publication potential of the work

15

Proficiency of presentation skills – use of audio-visual aids,

preparation of graphs, charts, models, etc., use of scientific

language, time limit , clarity in presentation, etc.

15

Abilities of satisfactory responses to the queries from the

audience

05

50

48

BD PC- 312 Application of Geographical Information System and Wildlife photo

documentation

I) Geographical Information Systems and remote sensing for Biodiversity applications

A. Basics of GIS, Querying and Analyzing data, (1 credit)

a. Installing the package

b. Type of objects

c. Structure of files

d. Visualizing the data

e. Spatial queries

f. Import / Export

B. Map generation / Layout & Digitisation (1 credit)

a. Design

b. Understanding different components in layout

c. Projections

d. Georeferencing

e. Map editing

C. Basics of Remote Sensing (1 credit)

a. Type of images

b. Different sources of remote sensing imagery

c. Image georeferencing, Image classification, Raster operations like addition,

multiplication etc

d. Import / Export of data

II) Basics of digital photography and need of photo documentation in Biodiversity studies

A. Basics of Camera & Photography (1 credit)

a. What is Photography? Types of photography

b. Film, Digital, Point & shoot, SLR, DSLR, Action camera, Underwater camera, Go Pro

c. About Digital Photography

d. About Composition & Flash

e. Introduction to camera accessories (lenses, filters, tripod, monopod)

B. Application of photography in scientific research (1 credit)

a. Photography as a tool for documenting information

Need of photo documentation, photography for art, photography to help scientific research

by documentation species, actions, moments, events, habitats, environmental conditions,

conservation efforts.

b. Use of lenses and flash while photographing key characters of plant/animal taxa.

a. Use of shutter speed, aperture, ISO for effective documentation.

49

d. Photomicrography

Introduction, resolution & image quality, choice of digital camera, connecting camera to

microscope, soft wares for photomicrography

e. Camera traps used in wildlife research as a tool

Different types of camera traps, camera features for choosing models, camera performance

& study design

f. Post processing and workflow for studying biodiversity in photography.

50

SEMESTER IV

BD – TC 401: Bioactivity of Secondary Metabolites and Molecular Biology

A) Natural product chemistry – Primary and Secondary Metabolites (1 credit)

a. Importance and production of Secondary Metabolites (from Plants, Animals and Microbes)

b. Introduction to classes of naturally occurring compounds: Fatty acids, Alkaloids,

Terpenoids, Steroids, Flavonoids, Anthocyanins, Carbohydrates, Complex compounds,

Essential oils

B) Screening of bioactive molecules (1 credit)

a. Antimicrobial Bioassays

b. Pharmacological Bioassays

C) Extraction methods – Physical and chemical (1 credit)

a. Extraction of Phytochemicals: Maceration, Soxhlet extraction, Steam distillation,

Hydrodistillation, Wax extraction, Fractional crystallization, Fractional distillation,

Spinning band distillation etc.

b. Analysis of Crude Extracts and Pure Phytochemicals: Physical Methods, Elemental

analysis, Chromatographic Techniques, Spectral methods

D) Introduction to Molecular Biology (Structure and Processes) (1 credit)

a. Structure of DNA, RNA and Protein

b. Prokaryotic Transcription and Operons

c. Translation in Prokaryotes

d. Gene expression and regulation in Prokaryotes

E) Genomics and Proteomics (1 credit)

a. Tools in genomics: DNA modifying enzymes, PCR, Vectors, Cloning, Sequencing

b. Tools in proteomics: Isoelectric focusing, PAGE, 2D PAGE, X-ray crystallography, Mass

Spectrometry & Maldi-Tof, Protein Microarray

c. Significance of Molecular Tools in Diversity and Conservation Studies

d. Use and application of Metagenomics in studying Biodiversity

SUGGESTED ASSIGNMENTS:

Group discussion on comparison of Transcription, Translation and Gene Regulation in

prokaryotes and eukaryotes.

Research article presentation on pharmacognostic evaluation of natural products for drug

development

Review presentations on successful use of molecular tools in diversity and conservation

studies.

51

SUGGESTED READINGS:

1. Benjamin Lewin. (2008), Genes IX, Jones and Bartelett Publishers Inc.

2. Harborne, J. B. (1973) English, Book, Illustrated edition: Phytochemical methods : a guide

to modern techniques of plant analysis.

3. James D. Watson, Tania Baker, Stephen P. Bell, Alexander Gann, Michael Levine,

Richard Loswick (2004) Molecular Biology of the Gene, 5th Ed, Pearson Education, Inc.

and Dorling Kindersley Publishing, Inc.

4. Khanna P., (2008) Cell and Molecular Biology, I.K. International Publishing House

Pvt. Ltd

5. N. R. Krishnaswamy, (1999), Chemistry of Natural Products, Universities Press (India) Pvt.

Ltd

6. National Committee for Clinical Laboratory Standards (now Clinical and Laboratory

Standards Institute, CLSI). Methods for dilution antimicrobial susceptibility testing for

bacteria that grows aerobically. Approved Standards M7-A4. Villanova, PA: NCCLS, 1997.

7. National Committee for Clinical Laboratory Standards (now Clinical and Laboratory

Standards Institute, CLSI). Performance standards for antimicrobial susceptibility testing;

12th information supplement (M100-S1). Villanova, PA; NCCLS: 2002

8. Silverstein R. M., Bassler G. C., (1968), Spectrometric Identification of Organic

Compounds,2nd Ed.

9. Trease & Evans, (2008), Pharmacognosy 15th Ed, Elsevier Publication (India)

10. Weaver R., (2007) Molecular Biology, 4th Edition, McGrew Hill Science.

52

BD-TNC 402: Environment education and awareness

B. Need and scope of environmental education and awareness (1 credit)

a. Identifying audience & their needs: at school and college, General public, Decision makers ,

planners and implementers of government policies and laws

b. Techniques in environmental education: Class-room techniques, On Field techniques

c. Role of various institutes/NGOs & individuals in spreading awareness and conservation of

natural resources

d. Role of print and electronic media,

d. Concept of reduce, reuse & recycle

e. Waste management practices

f. Concept of CSR

g. Concept of IBBI

C. Understanding Ecological Disasters (1 credit)

Types of Ecological Disasters – Natural & Anthropogenic

Floods and Famines, Earthquakes, Forest Fires, Desertification, Species Introduction &

Invasion, Thermal Disturbance, Nuclear Disasters, Oil Spills, pollution hazards and threats,

Global Warming and Climate Change.

D. Environment Education and Management of Ecological Disaster – Abiotic parameters to be

monitored for various types of habitats, Keystone species & Indicator species Continuous &

seasonal monitoring. Various monitoring techniques & methods, Importance of data

collection on climate, ecological/environmental parameters, agriculture and its records.

(1 credit)

E. Strategies for effective environmental mitigation (1 credit)

a. Bioremediation- Fate and Transport of Contaminants, Levels of Bioremediation

(Biostimulation, Bioaugmentation), Biodegradation of common contaminants, Degradation of

xenobiotics and elimination of toxicants,

b. Potential Use of GMOs in Bioremediation

F. Environmental awareness through practicing restoration ecology (1 credit)

a. Definition, aims and objectives of restoration, principles, concepts and strategies (long term

vs. short term); physical, chemical and biological restoration; role of ecological principles in

restoration, holistic approach in restoration.

b. Restoration of natural resources; restoration of biodiversity; degraded land/waste land, range

land, forest, river corridor, water resources and mine spoils.

c. The concept of sustainable development, environmental degradation and conservation issues,

global change & sustainable issues

53

SUGGESTED ASSIGNMENTS:

Effective use of modern media in creating environmental awareness by developing new tools

Field visit to disaster affected ecological site, ecologically conserved site, etc

SUGGESTED READINGS:

1. Bolt, B.A. (1988) Earthquakes, W. H. Freeman and Company, New York.

2. Carter, N, W. (1992) Disaster Management: A Disaster Manager’s Hand Book, Asian

Development Bank, Manila.

3. Gautam Ashutosh. (1994) Earthquake: A Natural Disaster, Ashok Publishing House,

New Delhi.

4. Sahni, P.and Malagola M. (Eds.)(2003).Disaster Risk Reduction in South Asia, Prentice-

Hall of India, New Delhi.

4. Sharma, V.K. (Ed.). (1995) Disaster Management, IIPA, New Delhi..

5. Singh T. (2006) Disaster management Approaches and Strategies, Akansha Publishing

House, New Delhi.

5. Sinha, D. K. (2006) Towards Basics of Natural Disaster Reduction, Research Book

Centre, New Delhi.

6. Smith, K. (2001) Environmental Health, Assessing Risk and Reduction Disaster, 3rd

Edition, Routledge, London.

54

BD- TNC 403: Wildlife and Conservation Biology

A. Conservation (1 credit)

a. Scope of wildlife biology – Basics and historical perspectives

b. Wildlife and human welfare

c. Need and importance of conservation

B. a. Conservation practices - Traditional practices (1 credit)

Sacred groves, Agricultural practices, Hunting practices, Fishing practices,

b. Conservation practices - Modern practices

Reserve forest, Sanctuaries, National parks, Biosphere reserves, Community conserved

areas, Joint forest management

C. Rare, Endangered & threatened species, extinct species (1 credit)

a. Definitions and status

b. Important international conventions and treaties on nature and conservation

c. IUCN

d. Ex situ and in situ means of conservation

D. Natural habitat and its conservation (1 credit)

a. Types of habitat and their major ecological factors

b. Adaptation to habitats by plants and animals

c. Threats to the conservation of habitats – present status

d. Future of habitat conservation – policies and implementation

E. Issues related to conservation (1 credit)

a. People and conservation

i) Traditional knowledge

ii) Traditions, cultures and traditional societies

iii) Man wild life conflict

b. Important issues

i) Laws and policies

ii) Habitat distribution

iii) Role of government and NGOs.

SUGGESTED ASSIGNMENTS:

Assessment of controlled breeding of endangered species and assessment of protected areas like

sacred groves for conservation of biodiversity and benefit of society around.

Status analysis of reserved forest and suggestions for its betterment.

Debates like SLOSS debate

55

SUGGESTED READINGS:

1. Gary E Davis, Science and Ecosystem Management in National Parks, The University of

Arizona Press, Tucson, 1996

2. India’s 4th national reports on convention on Biodiversity, MOEF 2009.

3. Keya Acharya (2010),Green pen, Sage publications

4. Kailash C. Malhotra, Yogesh Gokhale, Sudipto Chatterjee, and Sanjeev Srivastava

(2001). Cultural and Ecological Dimensions of Sacred Groves in India. Indian National

Science Academy, New Delhi, and Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Manav Sangrahalaya, Bhopal.

5. Maharashtra protection and preservation of trees Act, 1975, Govt of Maharashtra, modified

upto 9th June 2004.

6. Rosaleen Duffy (2010), Nature crime: how we are getting conservation wrong, Yale

University Press, London,

7. Priya Ranja Trivedi and Uttam Kumar Singh, Environmental laws on Wildlife,

Commonwealth Publishers

8. Rutwick Dutta, Wildlife Law: A ready reckenor, A guide to wildlife Protection Act, 1972,

as amended in 2002. Wildlife Trust of India, 2004

9. Tejaswini Apte, Kalpaviksha (2006) A simple guide to intellectual property rights,

Biodiversity and traditional knowledge.

10. Vivek Menon(1999),Wildlife Crime, Natraj Publishers, Dehradun.

Important links/ websites:

1. http://biodiversitymedia.ning.com

2. www.conservation.org

3. www.conservationindia.org

4. www.truthabouttigers.org

5. www.wpsi-india.org

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BD –TNC 404: Socio-economic Aspects of Biodiversity

A. Interaction between social organization and resource use patterns (1 credit)

Diversity, specificity and sustainability in the use of bioresources.

B. Economics of natural resource use: use value analysis, direct and indirect economic values,

study of household and community economy, local markets, national and international

trades in Biodiversity , environmental economics

(1 credit)

C. Knowledge systems: folk biology, traditional knowledge system, traditional health care

system, important medicinal plants and their uses, survey techniques in ethnobiology ,

(1 credit)

D. Interviewing Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA), Rapid Rural Appraisal (RRA),

participant observation, identifying informants and structured interactions (using, listening,

pairwise ranking, pile sorting, triad testing. (1 credit)

E. Origins of innovations and innovation diffusion in the society, Knowledge systems in

traditional and industrial societies, communication in sciences, models of community

development and benefit sharing: case studies (1 credit)

SUGGESTED ASSIGNMENTS:

Survey of local medicinal plants used in a village

Biomass audit of a village system

Visit to self help groups

Interaction with farmers

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SUGGESTED READINGS:

F. Gadgil Madhav and Guha Ramachandra, This Fissured Land: An Ecological History of

India. Oxford India Perennials Series.

G. Socio Economic Review of Districts- Directorate of Economics and Statistics .g.

-aMaMaMrahaMhttps://mahades.maharashtra.gov.in/publication.do?pubCatId=DSA

H. Mark Q. Sutton and E.N. Anderson. Introduction to Cultural Ecology. Rowman &

Littlefield Publishers Inc. Second Edition.

58

BD PC – 412: Molecular tools in Biology and Bioanalytical Chemistry

1. Isolation of Genomic (bacterial/animal/ plant) and plasmid DNA & Agarose gel

electrophoresis. PCR amplification of DNA, Southern blot and RFLP (1 credit)

2. Restriction digestion, ligation and Transformation in Prokaryotic systems (1 credit)

3. Isolation of cellular protein, PAGE and Western blotting (1 credit)

4. Screening for antimicrobial compounds from natural sources, Quantitative assays

of antimicrobials (1 credit)

5. Isolation of secondary metabolites from a natural source. Methods of extraction :

Single step and Multi step Extractions; Hot and Cold Extractions.

Purification of extracts using separation techniques

(TLC, Column Chromatography etc.) (1 credit)