Syllabus for
Master of Science (Zoology)
Academic Year  (2022)

This program is one of the most fundamental unit of basic sciences studied at Postgraduate level. The program helps to develop scientific tempers and attitudes, which in turn can prove to be beneficial for the society since the scientific developments can make a nation or society to grow at a rapid pace. After studying this program, students will be more equipped to learn and know about different biological systems, their coordination and control as well as evolution, behavior and biological roles of the animals in the ecosystem. Moreover, they will be able to qualitatively and quantitatively analyse evolutionary parameters using various bioinformatics and computational tools used in modern sciences. This will provide them ample opportunities to explore different career avenues.

The evaluation scheme for each course shall contain two parts; (a) internal evaluation and (b) external evaluation. 50% weightage shall be given to internal evaluation and the remaining 50% to external evaluation and the ratio and weightage between internal and external is 1:1.  (a) Internal evaluation: The internal evaluation shall be based on predetermined transparent system involving periodic written tests, assignments, seminars and attendance in respect of theory courses and based on written tests, lab skill/records/viva and attendance in respect of practical courses.

Microbes play a very significant role in the lives of higher organisms. The paper surveys the features of microbes like bacteria, viruses, fungi, algae and protozoa in order to make the students understand their biology so as to manipulate them. This course fulfils the basic knowledge in microbiology for those students who wish to pursue career in allied health fields and other technical programs.

History of Microbiology, Microscopy – Light, Phase contrast, Fluorescence & Electron microscopy – TEM and SEM, Physical and Chemical control of microorganisms, Classification and nomenclature of microorganisms, Bergey’s manual, Staining techniques - Gram’s, acid fast, capsular, flagellar and endospore staining. Microbial Taxonomy: Pure culture techniques (Streaking, spread plate, pour plate, serial dilution), Identification of microorganisms – Morphological, Biochemical, serological and molecular techniques.

Bacterial cell structure, classification based on shape and arrangement of cells, cell wall, flagella, pili and capsule – structure & functions, endospore formation, features of mycoplasma, Rickettsia, Prions and diseases caused. 

Microbial metabolism: Aerobic, anaerobic respiration, fermentation, Catabolism of carbohydrates, lipids and proteins. Bacterial photosynthesis, oxidation of inorganic molecules. Growth curve, factors affecting growth, Nutritional classification, Microbial associations (Mutualism, Syntrophism, Proto-cooperation, Commensalism, Ammensalism, Predation, Parasitism), Stress physiology: effect of oxygen toxicity, pH, osmotic pressure, heat shock on bacteria, HSPs, thermophiles, halophiles, alkaliphiles, acidophiles, psychrophiles and barophiles and their adaptations and significance., Bacterial biofilm formation (mechanism and mode of resistance). Nitrogen fixation mechanisms and genes involved.

Hepatitis B virus. RNA viruses: HIV, Nipah virus and Coronavirus (structure, infection cycle and risk factors), bacteriophages-. Lifecycle of Lambda phage. Cultivation and assay of viruses: Cultivation of viruses in embryonated eggs, experimental animals and cell cultures

Fungi:- Structural features, Ainsworth’s system of classification, salient features of division, reproduction of fungi, fungi as food, as plant pathogens, control measures of fungi, Mycorrhizae- ecto and endomycorrhizae, significance, Algae:- Salient features, classification (Fritsch’s) and reproduction, Symbiotic algae, use as biofuel.Algae as SCP (advantages and disadvantages)

Major Bacterial diseases – Typhoid, Tetanus, Tuberculosis, Pneumonia and Cholera, Viral diseases - Dengue, Chikungunya, Rabies. Emerging viruses – H1N1, Ebola, Zika. Major parasitic diseases –Malaria, Amoebiasis, Giardiasis- pathogen, lifecycle and treatment measures. Etiology, symptoms and control measures of some plant diseases - Bacterial blight of rice, Late blight of potato, Coconut Root wilt, Ginger Soft Rot, Downy Mildew of Grapes, Rust of Wheat, Red Rot of Sugarcane.

Concepts of pathogenesis, virulence and epidemiology, Disease classification - Epidemic, endemic and pandemics, CDC and its role, normal human microflora, gut microbiota and its relevance. Diagnosis and control of infections, Antibiotic – types and mechanism of action, biomedical waste management, nosocomial infections, Drug resistance in bacteria – causes and consequences, super bugs.

Microbes in food manufacture (Yeast, Lactobacillus etc), food spoilage (Brucella, Bacillus, Clostridium, Escherichia etc, mycotoxins - aflatoxins, ochratoxins, ergot alkaloids), agriculture (Rhizobium, Trichoderma etc), environmental management, Biodegradation of Xenobiotics - hydrocarbons, pesticides and plastics, Bioleaching of Copper, Iron , Uranium, Gold.

CIA1: Assignment/test/poster preparation/review writing etc. for 20 marks

CIA2: MID SEMESTER EXAMINATION for 50 marks

CIA3: Assignment/test/poster preparation/review writing etc. for 20 marks

Attendance in class: 10 marks

END SEMSTER EXAMINATION: Consist of 2 sections. Section A consist of 10 questions carrying 5 marks each out of which students need to attempt 8 questions (8 X 5marks = 40 marks). Section B consists of 7 questions, carrying 12 marks each, out of which students need to attempt 5 questions (5 X 12 marks = 60 marks).

The paper is intended to develop understanding and provide scientific basis of the inanimate molecules that constitute living organisms. It also gives a thorough knowledge about the structure and function of biological macromolecules (proteins, carbohydrates, lipids, and nucleic acids), and the metabolic and bioenergetic pathways within the cell. Students learn to interpret and solve clinical problems.

Forces and interactions of biomolecules; chemical bonds – Covalent and Ionic bond (bond energy), Stabilizing interactions (Van der Waals, electrostatic, hydrogen bonding, hydrophobic interaction.), high energy molecules in living system (ATP, ADP, NAD, NADH, NADPH, FAD, FADH₂), Laws of thermodynamics, Concept of free energy, enthalpy, entropy, Coupled reactions, group transfer, biological energy transducers, redox potential.Buffers and Solutions: Concept of pH, pKa, titration curve, acids, bases and buffers, Henderson-Hasselbalch Equation, biological buffer solutions.Principles of thermodynamics; Kinetics, dissociation and association constants; energy rich bonds and weak interactions; Bioenergetics.

Classification, structure and Properties of mono, oligo and polysaccharides. Chirality and optical activity, stereoisomerism, cyclic structure of monosaccharide, (pyranoses and furanoses), structures of glucose. Absolute and relative configuration (D & L and R & S nomenclature). Disaccharides-structures of Maltose, Lactose, Sucrose, Trehalose, Raffinose. Polysaccharides. Structure and properties of homo and hetero polysaccharides. Storage polysaccharides. (Starch, Glycogen, cellulose, hemicellulose, and chitin) Derived sugars- Sugar acids (Aldonic, Aldaric and Saccharic acids), amino sugars. Derivatives of carbohydrates (Glycosaminoglycans, glycolipids, Proteoglycan and glycoproteins).

Carbohydrate metabolism: Glycogenolysis, Glycogenesis, Glycolysis- Energetics and Regulation, Fermentation reactions (Lactic acid and alcoholic fermentation), Gluconeogenesis, Reciprocal regulation of Glycolysis and Gluconeogenesis, Citric acid cycle- Energetics and regulation, Glyoxylate cycle. Pentose phosphate pathway.

Electron transport chain, Electron transfer reactions in mitochondria, Electron carriers, Ubiquinone, Cytochromes, Iron sulfur centers, Methods to determine sequence of electron carriers, Fractionation of Multi enzyme complexes I, II, III, IV of Mitochondria and their inhibitors, Oxidative phosphorylation, ATP synthesis, Chemiosmotic model, Proton gradient, Structure of ATP synthetase, Mechanism of ATP synthesis, Brown fat, Regulation of Oxidative phosphorylation.

Amino acids: Structure, properties, classification and functions, reactions of amino acids, modifications of amino acids in proteins, non-protein amino acids.

Proteins- peptide bond, psi and phi angle, Ramachandran's plot, Structural organizations of proteins (primary, secondary, tertiary and quaternary, Domains, Motifs & Folds), conformational analysis. Structure and functional classification of proteins. Structure- function relationship. Thermodynamics of protein folding, chaperones and chaperonins, Stability of Protein Structures, examples of  specific proteins; Keratin, Silk fibroin, collagen triple helix and hemoglobin; Denaturation and renaturation of proteins; neurotransmitters, Peptide hormones .

Amino acid and Protein metabolism: Transamination, Deamination, Decarboxylation, basic glutamine and glutamic acid pathways, urea cycle and its regulation, formation of uric acid.

Enzyme nomenclature and classification, Isolation of enzymes. Extraction of soluble and membrane bound enzymes: Purification of enzymes-Criteria for purification; Assay of enzymes. Factors affecting enzyme activity, Isozymes, Coenzymes and cofactor, Metalloenzymes, membrane bound enzymes, Multienzyme complexes, Synthetic enzymes, Ribozymes. Mechanism of enzyme action, Active site and Specificity of enzyme. Theories on enzyme substrate complex. Free energy of enzyme reactions. Steady state kinetics. Michaelis-Menton, Lineweaver–Burk, Edde-Hofstee and Hanes-Woolf equations. Pre-steady state kinetics. Fast kinetics to elucidate the intermediates and rate limiting steps.

Enzyme inhibition: types of inhibitors; Mechanism of enzyme inhibition –competitive, non – competitive, uncompetitive, mixed and irreversible inhibition. Allosteric regulation in metabolic pathways. Applications of enzymes, enzyme engineering (Protein engineering). Immobilization of enzymes and their application.

Classification- Structure, properties, reactions and biological functions of lipids. Phospholipids, Sphingo and glyco lipids, Steroids-cholesterol-bile salts, steroid hormones,Cerebrosides, lipoamino acids, lipoproteins, lipopolysaccharides, eicosanoids (Prostaglandins, leucotrienes and thromboxane).Role of lipids in biomembranes.

Metabolism of Lipids: Biosynthesis of saturated and unsaturated fatty acids and cholesterol. Beta oxidation of Fatty acids: activation, transport to mitochondria, metabolic pathway. Oxidation of saturated and unsaturated fatty acids. Alpha and omega oxidation, metabolic disorders (Triglyceridemia, NaymanSacchs Disease).

Structure and properties- Bases, Nucleosides, Nucleotides, Polynucleotides.

Nucleic acid metabolism: Biosynthesis and regulation of purines and pyrimidines, Denovo and Salvage pathways, biodegradation of purines and pyrimidines.

Vitamins: Classification, Chemistry and Biological Functions, Fat and water soluble vitamins. Role in metabolism, Vitamins as co-enzymes. Metabolic Disorders –A, B, C, D, K.

Hormones:Autocrine, paracrine and endocrine action. Endocrine glands, Classification of hormones, basic mechanism of hormone action, importance of TSH,T3,T4, Estrogen, Testosterone, HCG, FSH, LH, Prolactin, Progesteron, adrenaline, insulin and glucagon. Hormone imbalance and disorders: hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism, Polycystic Ovarian Disorder PCOD), Insulin Dependent Diabetes.

Plant Growth regulators: Biosynthesis, Physiological role and mechanism of action of plant growth hormones (Auxins, Gibberellins, Cytokinins, Ethylene, abscisic acid, Brassinosteroids), receptors and signal transduction (salicylic acid and jasmonic acid pathways).

Nelson, D. C. and Cox, M.M., Lehninger Principles of Biochemistry, 5th Edition, W. H. Freeman, 2010.

Voet D., Voet J.G, Biochemistry 4th Edition., John Wiley and Sons, 2011.

Elliott, W.H., Elliott, D.C. Biochemistry and Molecular Biology 3^rd Indian edition, Pub. Oxford.

Mathews, Van Holde and Ahern, Biochemistry by 3^rd edition, Pub Pearson education

Berg J.M., Tymoczko J.L. and Stryer L., Biochemistry. 7th edition, W.H. Freeman and Co. New York, 2011.

Kuchel, P.W., Ralston Schaums, G.B. Outlines of Biochemistry 2^nd edition Pub: Tata.

Devlin, T.M. (1997). Biochemistry with clinical correlations, Wiley-Liss Inc. NY

Zubey, G.L. Parson, W.W., Vance, D.E. (1994). Principles of Biochemistry WmC Brown publishers. Oxford.

Edwards and Hassall. Biochemistry and Physiology of the cell 2^ndEdn. McGraw Hill Co. UK. Ltd.

CIA1: Assignment/test/poster preparation/review writing etc. for 20 marks

CIA2: MID SEMESTER EXAMINATION for 50 marks

CIA3: Assignment/test/poster preparation/review writing etc. for 20 marks

Attendance in class: 10 marks

END SEMSTER EXAMINATION: Consist of 2 sections. Section A consist of 10 questions carrying 5 marks each out of which students need to attempt 8 questions (8 X 5marks = 40 marks). Section B consists of 7 questions, carrying 12 marks each, out of which students need to attempt 5 questions (5 X 12 marks = 60 marks).

This paper has been designed in a standard manner to impart knowledge of the cell and its various attributes among the post graduate students. The topics included in this paper gives not only the basic idea about the subject but also provides in-depth knowledge. Students get an idea about the cellular structures, as well as how these structures are helpful for the cell to communicate with its environment and transduction of various signals, whether intracellular or extra-cellular. Furthermore, students also learn the mechanism of mitotic and meiotic cell division as well as how the cell cycle is regulated. The course structure also fulfils the important criteria regarding the preparation of students for the competitive examinations, for e.g. National Eligibility Test (NET), conducted by Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), as well as various other entrance examinations for pursuing doctoral research.

CIA1: Assignment/test/poster preparation/review writing etc. for 20 marks

CIA2: MID SEMESTER EXAMINATION for 50 marks

CIA3: Assignment/test/poster preparation/review writing etc. for 20 marks

Attendance in class: 10 marks

END SEMSTER EXAMINATION: Consist of 2 sections. Section A consist of 10 questions carrying 5 marks each out of which students need to attempt 8 questions (8 X 5marks = 40 marks). Section B consists of 7 questions, carrying 12 marks each, out of which students need to attempt 5 questions (5 X 12 marks = 60 marks).

• The chapters on genetics make them appreciate the flow of inherited characters from one generation to the other and study about the interaction of different genes in different organisms.
• The students will also gain knowledge related to quantitative, population and evolutionary genetics, in addition to microbial genetics.

CIA1: Assignment/test/poster preparation/review writing etc. for 20 marks

CIA2: MID SEMESTER EXAMINATION for 50 marks

CIA3: Assignment/test/poster preparation/review writing etc. for 20 marks

Attendance in class: 10 marks

END SEMSTER EXAMINATION: Consist of 2 sections. Section A consist of 10 questions carrying 5 marks each out of which students need to attempt 8 questions (8 X 5marks = 40 marks). Section B consists of 7 questions, carrying 12 marks each, out of which students need to attempt 5 questions (5 X 12 marks = 60 marks).

To understand what is meant by concentration, by volume, and by amount, and their interrelationships

Make the students able to convert multiples of one unit to another

To make the students understand that there is a physical limit to the volume of a solution you can pipette, determined by your equipment

Fractions, Decimals and Percentages, Amounts, Volumes and Concentrations, Scientific Notation, Conversion of Units.

Solving Equations and Evaluating Expressions, Logarithms, Straight-Line and Non-Straight-Line Graphs, Rate of Change

Assignment - 10 

Mini project - 20 

exam -          20

1.      To understand the theoretical basis of conducting research

2.      To design a research

3.      Understanding the importance of the research paper

4.      To impart knowledge regarding the ethics in research

Need for research, stages of research; Basic concepts of research -Meaning, Objectives, Motivation and Approaches. Types of Research (Descriptive/Analytical, Applied/ Fundamental, Quantitative/Qualitative, Conceptual/ Empirical);

Research formulation -Observation and Facts, Prediction and explanation, Induction, Deduction; Defining and formulating the research problem, Selecting the problem and necessity of defining the problem

Laboratory record, CAS, Good Documentation Practises, Data Integrity

Workbook maintenance, Various funding agencies (National and International), Project proposal writing, Research report writing (Thesis and dissertations, Research articles, Oral communications); Presentation techniques - Assignment, Seminar, Debate, Workshop, Colloquium, Conference.

Basic concept and parameters of various Indexing agencies: Scopus and SCImago (SNIP, SJR and CiteScore), Web of Science (Clarivate Analytics, Impact Factor) DOAJ, PubMed Central (PMC), ScienceDirect, UGC CARE, other indexing agencies (Index Copernicus, Google Scholar, EMBASE etc)

Concept on Open access, types (Gold & Green)

Types of articles, basic concept on DOI, ISBN, ISSN, ORCID, Crossmark-Crossref, Concept on Volume and Issue

Literature review -Importance of literature reviewing in defining a problem, Critical literature review, Identifying gap areas from literature review

Original research article; technique of writing, different sections, finding journals (Elsevier® JournalFinder andSpringer Journal Suggester)

Basic concepts on Mini review, Short communication, Letter to the Editor. Commentaries, Book Chapter

Concept on publishing houses: International (e.g. Elsevier, Springer-Nature, Taylor-Francis, Willey Online, Sage etc) and National (CSIR, Indian Academy of Science etc)

Concept on Peer review process

Concept on Predatory Journal, Beall’s List

Concept on Citations and References, Different referencing styles: APA, IEEE, MLA, and Chicago

Intellectual Property Rights - Copy right, Designs, Patents, Trademarks

Referencing software (EndNote, Mendeley, Zotero), Processing software (MS Word, MS Excel) Statistical software (Minitab, SPSS- ANOVA, t Test, Regression)

Concept of Plagiarism (UGC guideline)

Safety and precaution - ISO standards for safety, Lab protocols, Lab animal use, care and welfare, animal houses, hazards (symbols and NFPA Hazard Identification System) Extension: Lab to Field, Extension communication, Extension tools; Bioethics: Laws in India, Working with man and animals, Consent, Animal Ethical Committees and Constitution.

      2.      Dawson, C. Practical research methods. UBS Publishers, New Delhi. 2002.

2.      Ruzin, S.E. Plant micro technique and microscopy. Oxford University Press, New York, U.S.A., 1999.

• Microbes play a very significant role in the lives of higher organisms.
• The paper surveys the features of microbes like bacteria, viruses, fungi, algae and protozoa in order to make the students understand their biology so as to manipulate them.
• This course fulfils the basic knowledge in microbiology for those students who wish to pursue career in allied health fields and other technical programs. 

1.      Safety rules, instrumentation and media preparation-- Nutrient agar, Potato dextrose Agar, differential media etc.

2.      Staining techniques: Simple, Differential: acid-fast, endospore, capsule, cell wall, cytoplasmic inclusion, vital stains: flagella, spore and nuclear staining.

3.      Collection and processing of clinical samples for microbiological examination

4.      Antimicrobial susceptibility tests- a. Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion test and Dilution sensitivity test-MIC and MBC against Yeast and other fungi.

5.      Determination of Growth of bacteria, yeast and algae – Growth curve and generation time.

6.      Isolation and culture of Rhizobium and production of biofertilizer

7.      Biochemical tests Catalase, oxidase, IMViC, motility, gelatine test, urease, coagulase, nitrate reduction, acid and gas from glucose, chitin, starch.

8.      Isolation of fungi from soil: Dilution plate method, Warcup method, stamping method.

9.  Screening for antibiotic producing microbes (antibacterial, antifungal)

10.   Visit to microbiology R & D lab.

1.            Laboratory safety guidelines

2.            Preparation of buffers applying HH equation

3.            Validation of Beer-Lambert’s Law (colorimetery and spectrophotometer)

4.            Qualitative and Quantitative analysis of carbohydrates

5.            Isolation and quantification of protein (Folin Lowry/BCA, Bradford).

6.            Determination of isoelectric pH of proteins / amino acids

7.         Determination of specific activity, Km & Vmax, Optimum pH, Temperature of Amylase/Alkaline phosphatase /protease/cellulase

8.            Isolation, qualitative and quantitative analysis of fatty acids and lipids.

9.            Acid values Iodine number & Saponification values of fats

10.        Estimation of Ascorbic acid in citrus using 2, 6 dichlorophenol Indophenol.

11.        Simple assays for vitamins and hormones

Mid Semester Examination: 20%

Record: 10%

End Semester Examination: 50%

The paper imparts practical knowledge on the biology of cells and also on the basic experiments in biochemistry. It deals with detailed microscopic studies of basic cell multiplication processes like mitosis and meiosis. Microscopy techniques are given utmost importance.   Furthermore, knowledge of Genetics will help them to solve various complicated genetic problems.

•      Study of mitosis in root tip

•      Study of meiosis of flower bud

•      Study of Plasmolysis- deplasmolysis using micrometry

•      Study of Barr body in the epithelial cells

•      Isolation and enumeration of mitochondria from yeast cells

•      Isolation and enumeration of chloroplast from spinach

•      Estimation of chlorophyll in isolated chloroplasts

•      Comparative study of chloroplast number and chlorophyll content in different plant families

•      Permanent slide preparation