Cell Biology is a core undergraduate course that provides a comprehensive understanding of the structure, organization, and functions of cells, the fundamental units of life. The course introduces students to the molecular and cellular basis of life, emphasizing the relationship between cell structure and function in both prokaryotic and eukaryotic organisms.
The curriculum covers the organization of prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells, biomembranes, cell organelles, cytoskeleton, cell communication, membrane transport, cell signaling, cell cycle, mitosis, meiosis, apoptosis, stem cells, and the molecular mechanisms underlying cellular growth, differentiation, and reproduction. It also explores the structure and function of nucleic acids, gene expression, protein synthesis, cellular metabolism, and the role of cells in health and disease.
The course emphasizes practical learning through microscopy, cell staining techniques, preparation of temporary mounts, chromosome studies, cell viability assays, and analysis of cellular processes using modern laboratory methods. Recent advances in cell biology, including fluorescence microscopy, flow cytometry, cell culture techniques, and applications in biotechnology and biomedical research, are also introduced.
Upon successful completion of the course, learners will be able to explain cellular structure and function, distinguish between different cell types, understand the mechanisms governing cellular activities, perform basic cell biology laboratory techniques, and apply cellular concepts to genetics, biotechnology, plant sciences, medicine, and biomedical research.
- Teacher: BISWAJIT PATRA
Ethnomedicine and Economic Botany is an interdisciplinary undergraduate course that explores the relationship between plants and human societies, with particular emphasis on traditional medicinal knowledge and the economic importance of plant resources. The course provides students with a comprehensive understanding of indigenous healthcare systems, medicinal plant diversity, ethnobotanical research methods, conservation of traditional knowledge, and the sustainable utilization of economically important plants.
The curriculum covers the fundamentals of ethnomedicine, ethnobotany, documentation of indigenous knowledge, medicinal plants and their therapeutic applications, phytochemical and pharmacological significance of medicinal species, and the role of traditional healthcare practices in primary health care. It also examines the economic importance of plants used for food, fibre, timber, beverages, spices, essential oils, dyes, gums, resins, pharmaceuticals, biofuels, and other industrial products.
The course emphasizes biodiversity conservation, intellectual property rights (IPR), benefit-sharing, bioprospecting, and ethical considerations related to the use of traditional knowledge. Through case studies, field surveys, herbarium techniques, interaction with local communities, and documentation of ethnobotanical resources, students will develop practical skills in identifying, recording, and evaluating economically valuable and medicinal plant species.
Upon successful completion of the course, learners will be able to recognize major medicinal and economically important plants, understand their traditional and commercial applications, document indigenous knowledge using scientific methods, and appreciate the role of ethnomedicine and economic botany in sustainable development, biodiversity conservation, rural livelihoods, and the discovery of plant-based therapeutics.
- Teacher: BISWAJIT PATRA
Plant Taxonomy is a foundational undergraduate course that provides students with a comprehensive understanding of the principles and practices of plant identification, classification, nomenclature, and biodiversity. The course introduces the historical development of plant taxonomy, modern systems of classification, and the importance of taxonomy in plant sciences, conservation, agriculture, forestry, and environmental management.
The curriculum covers the fundamentals of plant nomenclature based on the International Code of Nomenclature (ICN), taxonomic hierarchy, diagnostic morphological characters, herbarium techniques, botanical keys, field identification methods, and the classification of major groups of plants. It also introduces students to numerical taxonomy, chemotaxonomy, cytotaxonomy, molecular taxonomy, DNA barcoding, and phylogenetic approaches that have transformed modern plant classification.
The course emphasizes practical learning through plant specimen collection, herbarium preparation, identification using floras and taxonomic keys, digital herbarium resources, and case studies on economically and ecologically important plant families. Students will also gain an understanding of the role of taxonomy in biodiversity assessment, conservation planning, and sustainable utilization of plant resources.
Upon successful completion of the course, learners will be able to identify and classify plants using standard taxonomic methods, apply botanical nomenclature correctly, prepare herbarium specimens, use taxonomic keys effectively, and appreciate the significance of plant taxonomy in research, biodiversity conservation, and sustainable resource management.
- Teacher: BISWAJIT PATRA
Nanotechnology in Plant Science Research is an advanced postgraduate course that introduces learners to the principles, applications, and emerging trends of nanotechnology in plant sciences. The course provides comprehensive knowledge of nanomaterials, their synthesis, characterization, and interactions with plant systems, emphasizing their role in modern agricultural and biological research.
The curriculum covers the fundamentals of nanoscience, green synthesis of nanoparticles, characterization techniques, nanoparticle–plant interactions, nanofertilizers, nanopesticides, nanosensors, nano-enabled plant disease management, targeted delivery systems, and applications in plant tissue culture, crop improvement, precision agriculture, environmental remediation, and post-harvest technology. The course also addresses biosafety, nanotoxicity, environmental risk assessment, regulatory aspects, and ethical considerations associated with the use of nanotechnology in plant science.
Through case studies, research articles, laboratory demonstrations, and project-based learning, students will develop the ability to critically evaluate current research, apply nanotechnology-based approaches to plant science challenges, and design innovative research strategies. Upon successful completion of the course, learners will possess the theoretical knowledge and practical insights necessary to integrate nanotechnology into plant science research, sustainable agriculture, and biotechnology, preparing them for advanced research and professional careers in academia, research institutions, and industry.
- Teacher: BISWAJIT PATRA
Entrepreneurship in Mushroom Cultivation is an interdisciplinary course designed to provide students with the scientific knowledge and entrepreneurial skills required to establish and manage a successful mushroom production enterprise. The course covers the biology of edible mushrooms, spawn production, cultivation techniques for commercially important species, substrate preparation, crop management, pest and disease control, harvesting, post-harvest handling, value addition, quality assurance, and marketing strategies.
The course emphasizes practical aspects of mushroom farming as a sustainable agri-business that generates employment and income while promoting the recycling of agricultural residues and environmental sustainability. Students will gain hands-on knowledge of setting up small- and medium-scale mushroom production units, preparing business plans, understanding financial management, branding, market linkages, and government support schemes for entrepreneurship development.
Upon successful completion of the course, learners will be able to identify suitable mushroom species for cultivation, implement scientific production techniques, maintain quality standards, develop viable business models, and establish mushroom-based enterprises that contribute to rural development, food security, and sustainable livelihoods.
- Teacher: BISWAJIT PATRA
Microbe is a broad and some what general one which embraces the biological organisms that are characterized principally by their small size.
The objective of this course to impact knowledge of the basic principle about the micro organisms which are commercially used to produce primary and secondary metabolites, bio films, vaccines, single cell protein, vaccine, drugs, vitamins, good products and so on.
- Teacher: Rajashree Das
Plant tissue culture is defined as culturing plant seeds, organs, explants, tissues, cells, or protoplasts on a chemically defined synthetic nutrient media under sterile and controlled conditions of light, temperature, and humidity.
- Teacher: Rajashree Das
The course will enable students to
- Identify edible and poisonous mushrooms
- Gain the knowledge of cultivation of different types of edible mushrooms and spawn production.
- Learn a means of self employment and income generation.
- Teacher: Adyasha Panda
This course deals with basic knowledge of plant Biochemistry and gives idea about different biomolecules in plant.
- Teacher: Adyasha Panda