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Department of Botany

Profile

Department of Botany was established in 1994. The Department offers an undergraduate program which is in affiliation with Himachal Pradesh University, Shimla. The department is supported under strengthening component of Star College scheme of Department of Biotechnology (DBT) Government of India. Ex-Principal of the college Dr. Veena Rathore was the founder Head of Botany Department. 

A well balanced curriculum having theory and practical and qualified faculty has been the hall mark of this Department since its inception. In keeping pace with the advances in various aspects of plant science, the department organised various workshops, seminars on the topics like Phytochemical Screening, Floriculture, Biodiversity and Sustainable Development. The department offers entrepreneurship- and job-oriented skill-enhancement courses like floriculture, mushroom cultivation, herbal technology, medicinal plants, nursery & gardening, etc. which can give a new direction to the future prospects of the students. To create expertise in exploration, identification and evaluation of flora, conservation of nature and natural resources and in the protection of endangered species and biota dependent on them field visits and industrial visits are organised by the department.

At present the department has the strength of 105 students in B.Sc. The students of the department are also enrolled for college Eco Club and actively participate in various environment related programs. Research projects in the areas of plant physiology, medicinal plant biology, ethno- botany and taxonomy are allotted to the students under Star College Scheme and Uttkrisht Mahavidyalaya scheme. The student projects motivate innovative ideas and prepare the students by developing appropriate competence and efficiency.

The sincere and dedicated faculty of the Department is responsible for our good academic record over the years. The department thrives to reach standards of excellence in teaching, learning and research. 

  1. Name of the department: Botany
  2. Year of Establishment: 1994
  3. Names of Programmes / Courses offered: UG (B.Sc.)
  4. Names of Interdisciplinary courses and the departments/units involved:
  5. Annual/ semester/choice based credit system (program wise): Choice Based Credit System (CBCS) Annual
  6. Number of Teaching posts: 02
  7. Number of academic support staff (technical) and administrative staff sanctioned and filled: Senior Lecturer Assistant (SLA): 1 (Filled), LA: 1 (Vacant)Departmental projects funded by DST - FIST;
  8. UGC, DBT, ICSSR, etc. and total grants received: Financial assistance from DBT under Star College Scheme (Rs. 41 Lakhs)
Details of Infrastructural facilities
  • Library: There is a separate Botany section in the central library
  • Internet facilities for Staff & Students: Yes. Internet facility is provided to the students in the central library. The campus has also been made Wi Fi by the College and the recently launched Reliance Jio hotspot has also been set up in the college campus.
  • Class rooms with ICT facility: One with ICT facility
  • Laboratories: One
Teaching methods adopted to improve student learning: Field visits, ICT SWOC analysis of the department and Future plans:

Strengths:

  • Adequate no. of biovisual charts .
  • The college premises have enough space for the plantation and maintenance of plants which is helpful in teaching taxonomy.
  • Well equipped lab for hands on training of the students.
  • Well maintained botanical garden and herbal garden.
  • Team work and harmony among teachers and also in between students and teachers.
  • Both the teaching faculty members are the alumni of the institute and have the good knowledge of surrounding flora which help them to import good practical knowledge to the students.
  • There is proper teaching faculty, highly qualified and experienced.
  • Financial assistance from DBT under Star College scheme.
  • Fresh classroom material (ALGAE, FUNGI, flowers) is easily available in the vicinity of the college.

Weaknesses:

  • There is shortage of trained lab staff and internet facility for the students.
  • Insufficient lab space due to single lab for the simultaneous conduction of theory and practical.
  • The department has to depend on other funds for engaging lab helpers.
  • There is no facility of departmental library. Facility for research work for final year students is less.
  • Shortage of computers with requisite software

Opportunities:

  • Floriculture and mushroom cultivation courses can generate ample career opportunities.
  • Since the surroundings of the college have a lot of natural vegetation, so there is no dearth of study material for the students.
  • A number of institutes like forest research institute, botanical survey of India are located close to this institute so the students can frequently visit these institutes for practical learning and enhancing their skills.
  • There is opportunity for establishment of placement and training cell in collaboration with these institutes.

Challenges:

  • Inadequate teaching and research resources including space.
  • No infrastructure availability for online classes.
  • To improve the writing and communicative skills of students.
  • To enhance employability of students
  • To inculcate research temperament among students

Future Plans:

  • To start Certificate courses in mushroom cultivation, Gardening and Floriculture.
  • To arrange more guest lectures of academicians, scientist from different institutes.
  • To arrange more field visits