Botany is the main branch of Biology. It was established in Academic session 2012-13. It is the systematic and scientific study of plants. Botany covers a lot of scientific discipline such as Biochemistry, Microbiology, Ecology, Physiology Biodiversity, Biotechnology, Taxonomy, Economic botany, Anatomy, Cell and Molecular Biology etc. Botany also covers specific sciences that caters for a specific study areas in plant life such as photochemistry that deals with chemical reactions, product and chemical derivative in plants as well as it effects on other biological species, plant anatomy and morphology which deals with structure evolution process and mechanism of plant parts and taxonomy which is deais the science of describing, naming and classifying of organisms.

New sciences such as genetic engineering which caters the issue of genetically modified organism ( GMO), economic botany which deals on how to utilize plant kingdom and even Forensic botany that uses plants to find clues for crimes

Since the core of botany is plants ( though it should also be reminded that in the study of botany Kingdom Fungi and Algae is also discussed though it has its own study: Mycology often paired with Virology, Phycology for Algae). Basic introductory botany course will enable you to understand the interesting mechanism of plants which include their growth and development, chemical properties, Genetics, Ecology and Evolution etc. and most of them will instill an understanding on the importance of plants.

The department in government degree college Banjar was established in 2009 with the sole purpose of providing quality education to students, contributing towards their holistic progress with the help of well design course work and co-curricular programmes.

Objectives

• To develop a strong foundation of the subject.
• The objective of this course is to ensure that students can achieve an up to date level of understanding of plant science.
• Our aim is to provide training in scientific and transferable skills through modular lecture courses, projects, written work, seminars and supervisions
• To train students so that so that they can apply themselves meaningfully in activities requiring botanical expertise.
• Trained to increased: your capacity to think critically; Your ability to design and excute an experiment.
• To attain the holistic growth of students so that they can prepare themselves for their future career i.e post-graduation programmes and various competitive examinations.

Programme Outcome

• Career Opportunities :- A student with graduation in Botany can be a part of any reputed organization as a plant explorer, Conservationist, Ecologist, Environment consultant, horticulturist, Plant biochemist ,Nursery manager, Genetics, Molecular biologist, Taxonomist, Plant pathologist and Farming consultant . In addition to this career in Mushroom Cultivation , Floriculture, Ethnobotany and Bio-fertilizer are fields in which job opportunities can be created.
• Problem Solving Skills :- Students will be able to apply the fundamental concept of Botanical science and process of science through accessing data and literature. They will be able to apply the knowledge to solve any problem related with plant science.
• Leadership and Team Work :- Student will be able to function effectively as an individual ,as a member or a leader in a team.
• Social Welfare :- Well designed curriculum, stresses on scientific reasoning and problem solving. Furthermore, practical and theoretical skills gained in this programme will be helpful in designing different public health strategies for social welfare.
• Self-reliance:- The students tend to become confident and self sufficient during the programme by learning constantly ad gaining knowledge on diverse areas of the subject.
• Scientific knowledge :- Student will be able to identify, classify and differentiate the major groups of plants and understand their phylogenetic relationships. They will be able to explain how theory of evolution offers scientific explanation for the unity and diversity of life on earth and can use specific examples to explicate how descent with modification has shaped plant morphology and physiology.
• They will be able to explain the functioning of plant organism at gene, cellular, tissue, organ and organ system level and integrate and analyse the information to formulate arguments and critically evaluate scientific claims.
• Students will be able to acquire complete knowledge of disciplinary as well as allied biological sciences.
• Practical Skills :- After graduation, students will be able to use basic laboratory techniques and biological instrumentation , preparing them for higher studies.
• Professional skills :- Understand the application of biological sciences in Identifying plants, Floriculture, Mushroom cultivation, Biofertilizer, Ethnobotany, Forestry, Agriculture ,Enzymology and economic botany etc. to name some.
• Environmental concerns :- Students will be able to relate the physical features of environment to the structure of population, communities and ecosystem. This will make them recognize the urgent need to conserve the ecosystem and its components worldwide.

Course Outcome( Cos)

The students will be able to understand the need to classify and identify the diverse groups of plants and their phylogenetic relationships. They will develop knowledge of contemporary issues. Students will develop ability to design and perform experiments and interpret the data.

Biodiversity ( Microbes, Algae, Fungi, and Archegoniates)

• Understand characteristic features of diverse group of plants present on the earth.
• Phylogenetic relationship among the animals.
• Understand the process of evolution.
• Plant Ecology and Taxonomy
• Understand the ecosystem and importance of sustainable development.
• Understand the taxonomic position and identification of plants.
• Plant anatomy and Embryology
• Understand anatomy and different physiological system of plants.
• To understand evolution and increasing complexity of physiological system of plants.
• Understand the development of Embryo , various organs, and organsystem.
• Plant Physiology and Metabolism
• Understand the functioning of various physiological systems of plants.
• To understand structure and functions of bio/ macromolecules of life and intermediary metabolism.
• Economic botany and Biotechnology
• To learn the diverse human uses of plants and olant products.
• To learn taxonomic diversity of useful plants.
• To learn the biological reason why certain plants resources are important.
• To acquire an increased awareness and appreciation of plants and plant products encountered to every day life.
• “Basics to learn biotechnology” provide the most essential information needed to understand biotechnology.
• Bioinformatics
• To organize vast reams of molecular biology data in an efficient manner.
• To develop tools that aid in the analysis of such data.
• To interpret the results accurately and meaningfully.
• Genetics and Plant Breeding
• Improving the genetic make-up of the crop plants.
• To improve yield, quality, disease-resistance, drought and frost- tolerance and important characteristics of the crops.
• Analytical technique in plant sciences
• To separate nucleic acid based on molecular weight differences.
• To determine the 3-D structure of proteins.
• To separate the four principal chloroplast pigments
• Cell and Molecular Biology
• To understand and integrate knowledge of chemical and biological principles of living systems.
• Study of cells and the macro-molecules Protein, Lipids, Carbohydrates) that define their structure and function
• Biofertilizer
• To exploit the microbial diversity in various agro-ecologies for biofertilizer application in diversified systems.
• To improve the bio-fertilizer technology to ensure high quality and improved delivery.
• To study the impact of soil management practices on microbial function and soil health.
• To diversify bio-fertilizer research and application in dry lands , degraded soils and tribial areas.
• Gardening and floriculture
• The art and knowledge of growing flowers to perfection .
• To focus on the promotional and awareness aspect by providing incentives to the farmers and motivating them to grow traditional as well as non- traditional floral crops and house-plants for commercial use.
• Medicinal botany and Ethnobotany
• Proper Documentation of indigenous knowledge about Medicinal Plants .
• Preservation of Unwritten- traditional knowledge about Herbal Plants .
• Conservation of our National Heritage before its Extinction .
• To create awareness about its role in cultural, social and health of People

Student Progression

• After graduation every year many students qualify the enterance tests conducted by various states/ central universities/ institutions for admission to various Post-graduate Programmes . A good number of students get themselves enrolled for M.Sc /B.Ed. in Government / private Universities and colleges affiliated to the States Universities and some students prepare themselves for various competitive examinations such as : IAS, HAS, IFS, CDS, HFS and other allied services.

Activities

• Periodic activities liKe Quizzes, Seminars, Declemations, Debates, Workshops and Working and non-Working Models are being organized by the department to provide the academic excellence to undergraduate students. The faculty is constantly engaged with the students to boost their morale , knowledge and curiosity. Short excursion trips to study practically the local flora are organized by the department. Students are also encouraged to take parts in different events like; Sports , NCC, NSS Culture activities to develop overall personality of an individual. Students grievances are also taken care of by the faculty members.