Semester Wise Distribution of Course and Credits in Zoology

Scheme of Examination for M.Sc. Zoology (Semester system)as per Choice Based Credit System (CBCS) to be implemented w.e.f. session 2016-2017 onwards

Semester wise distribution of course and credits in Zoology

Paper
No. / Title of the Paper / Nature of paper / Credits / Contact hours per week
T +S + P / Total Marks
(T+IA) / Exam duration
(Hours)
Semester I
Z 101 / Cell Biology / Core / 4 / 4 + 0 + 0 / 80+20 / 3
Z 102 / Biochemistry and Bio-techniques / Core / 4 / 4 + 0 + 0 / 80+20 / 3
Z 103 / Biosystematics andBiostatistics / Core / 4 / 4 + 0 + 0 / 80+20 / 3
Z 104 / Biology of Invertebrates / Core / 4 / 4 + 0 + 0 / 80+20 / 3
Z 105 / Practical (Based on Papers Z 101 & Z 102) / Core / 4 / 0 + 0 + 8 / 80+20 / 4
Z 106 / Practical (Based on Papers Z 103Z 104) / Core / 4 / 0 + 0 + 8 / 80+20 / 4
Total / 24 / 16 + 0 + 16 / 480+120=600
Semester II
Z 201 / Population and Community Ecology / Core / 4 / 4 + 0 + 0 / 80+20 / 3
Z 202 / Comparative Physiology / Core / 4 / 4 + 0 + 0 / 80+20 / 3
Z 203 / Population Genetics & Evolution / Core / 4 / 4 + 0 + 0 / 80+20 / 3
Z 204 / Biology of Vertebrates / Core / 4 / 4 + 0 + 0 / 80+20 / 3
Z 205 / Economic Zoology / Open elective / 2 / 2 + 0 + 0 / 40+10 / 3
Z 206 / Seminar / Core / 1 / 0 + 1 + 0 / 25 / -
Z 207 / Practical (Based on Papers Z 201 & Z 202) / Core / 4 / 0 + 0 + 8 / 80+20 / 4
Z 208 / Practical (Based on Papers Z 203 & Z 204) / Core / 4 / 0 + 0 + 8 / 80+20 / 4
Total / 27 / 18 + 1 + 16 / 545+130=675
Semester III
Z 301 / Molecular Biology / Core / 4 / 4 + 0 + 0 / 80+20 / 3
Z 302 / Molecular Endocrinology / Core / 4 / 4 + 0 + 0 / 80+20 / 3
Z 303 / Applied Zoology / Core / 4 / 4 + 0 + 0 / 80+20 / 3
Z 304 / Molecular Cytogenetics – I / Any one from
Z 304 to Z 307 / Elective / 4 / 4 + 0 + 0 / 80+20 / 3
Z 305 / Reproduction and Aging-I / Elective / 4 / 4 + 0 + 0 / 3
Z 306 / Animal Behaviour & Wildlife Conservation – I / Elective / 4 / 4 + 0 + 0 / 3
Z 307 / Fish, Fisheries and Aquaculture – I / Elective / 4 / 4 + 0 + 0 / 3
Z 308 / Animal Diversity & Conservation / Open Elective / 2 / 2 + 0 + 0 / 40+10 / 3
Z 309 / Seminar / Core / 1 / 0 + 1 + 0 / 25 / -
Z 310 / Practical
(Based on Papers Z 301 to Z 303) / Core / 4 / 0 + 0 + 8 / 80+20 / 4
Z 311 / Practical
(Based on Papers Z 304/Z 305/Z 306/Z 307) / Elective / 4 / 0 + 0 + 8 / 80+20 / 4
Total / 27 / 18 + 1 + 16 / 545+130=675
Semester IV
Z 401 / Developmental Biology / Core / 4 / 4 + 0 + 0 / 80+20 / 3
Z 402 / Vertebrate Immunology / Core / 4 / 4 + 0 + 0 / 80+20 / 3
Z 403 / Environmental Toxicology / Core / 4 / 4 + 0 + 0 / 80+20 / 3
Z 404 / Molecular Cytogenetics – II / Any one from Z 404 to Z 407 / Elective / 4 / 4 + 0 + 0 / 80+20 / 3
Z 405 / Reproduction and Aging – II / 3
Z 406 / Animal Behaviour & Wildlife Conservation – II / 3
Z 407 / Fish, Fisheries and Aquaculture – II / 3
Z 408 / Practical
(Based on Papers Z 401 to Z 403) / Core / 4 / 0 + 0 + 8 / 80+20 / 4
Z 409 / Practical
(Based on Papers Z 404 /Z 405/Z 406/Z 407) / Elective / 4 / 0 + 0 + 8 / 80+20 / 4
Total / 24 / 16 + 2 + 16 / 480+120=600
Grand Total / 2550

T – Theory; S– Seminar; P– Practical

Total Credits: Core 80 + Elective 16 + seminar 2+open elective 4= 102

SEMESTER – I

Paper: Z 101 (Core)

Cell Biology

Credits: 4

Objective: To make students learn the deeper aspects of cell structure and function at molecular level.

Outcomes: The studies will make the students reveal elegance,dynamics and economy in the living cell and a gratifying unity in the principles by which a cell functions.

Note:

Nine questions will be set in all.
Question No. 1, which will be objective/short answer type covering the entire syllabus, will be compulsory. The remaining eight questions will be set section wise selecting four questions from each section (A & B). The candidate will be required to attempt question No. 1 and four more selecting two questions from each section.
As far as possible the questions should be divided into sub-parts and marks indicated part wise.

Section – A

Biomembranes

1.1Molecular composition and arrangement, functional consequences.

1.2Transport – Recapitulation of the plasma membrane; diffusion, active transport and pumps, uniports, symports and antiports.

1.3Donnan equilibrium; ion movements and cell function: acidification of cell organelles and stomach

1.4Maintenance of cellular pH; cell excitation; bulk transport; Receptor mediated endocytosis

1.5Transepithelial transport

2Cytoskeleton and cell movement

2.1Structure and organization of actin filaments

2.2Actin, myosin and cell movements

2.3Structure and dynamic organizations of microtubules

2.4Microtubule motors and movement

2.5Intermediate filaments

2.6Cilia and flagella

3The Extra Cellular Matrix and Cell interactions

3.1Cell walls

3.2The ECM and cell-matrix interactions

3.3Cell-cell interactions: adhesion junctions, tight junctions, gap junctions, plasmodesmata

3.4Ca++ dependent and Ca++ independent Homophilic cell-cell adhesion

4Cell matrix adhesion

4.1Integrins

4.2Collagen

4.3Non-collagen components

4.4Auxin and cell expansion

4.5Cellulose fibril synthesis and orientation

5Protein sorting and transport

5.1Protein uptak into the ER

5.2Membrane proteins and Golgi sorting

5.3 Mechanism of vesicular transport

5.4Lysosomes

5.5Molecular mechanism of secretory pathway

Section– B

6Cell cycle

6.1The eukaryotic cell cycle

6.2Regulators of cell cycle progression

6.3The events of M phase

6.4Meiosis and fertilization

7Genome organization

7.1Chromosomal organization of genes and non-coding DNA

7.2Mobile DNA

7.3Morphological and functional elements of eukaryotic chromosomes

8Cell – Cell signaling

8.1Signaling molecules and their receptors

8.2Function of cell surface receptors

8.3Pathways of intracellular signal transduction

8.4Signaling networks

9Cell death and cell renewal

9.1Programmed cell death

9.2Stem cells and the maintenance of adult tissues

9.3Embryonic stem cells and therapeutic cloning

10Biology of Cancer

10.1The development and causes of cancer

10.2Oncogenes

10.3Tumor suppressor genes

10.4Molecular approaches to cancer treatment

11Biology of Ageing

Suggested Reading Material

Molecular Cell, Biology, J. Darnell, H. Lodish and D. Baltimore Scientific American Book, Inc., USA.
Molecular Biology of the Cell, B. Alberts, D. Bray, J. Lewis, M. Raff, K. Roberts and J.D. Watson. Garland Publishing Inc., New York.

SEMESTER – I

Paper: Z 102 (Core)

Biochemistry and Bio-techniques

Credits: 4

Objective: To develop understanding of biological processes at chemical, biochemical and molecular level to perform wide range of analytical techniques to explore biological activities.

Outcomes: It will provide the students a basic appreciation of the underlying principles and practicalstrategy of the analytical and preparative techniques that are fundamental to study andunderstanding of life processes.

Note:

Nine questions will be set in all.
Question No. 1, which will be objective/short answer type covering the entire syllabus, will be compulsory. The remaining eight questions will be set section wise selecting four questions from each section (I & II). The candidate will be required to attempt question No. 1 and four more selecting two questions from each section.
As far as possible the questions should be divided into sub-parts and marks indicated part wise.

Section – A

1.0General Principles of Biochemistry and chemical composition of life.

2.0Glycolysis, citric acid cycles its regulation and role as metabolic hub.

3.0Hexosemonophosphate pathway its regulation and significance.

4.0Cholesterol biosynthesis, its metabolism steroid genesis, Bile acids and their metabolism derrayed cholesterol level.

5.0Saturated and unsaturated fatty acid and their metabolism.

6.0Primary, Secondary, tertiary and quaternary structure of proteins (Domain, Reverse turn of Ramachandran plot).

7.0Enzyme: classification and nomenclature, co-enzymes, induced fit and Molecular Mechanism of Enzyme action, Enzyme feedback mechanism, Isozymes.

8.0DNA, RNA, structure and functions, DNA chroeography.

Section – B

9.0Chemical and Biological assays (invitro and in vivo assays)

10.0Principles and uses of analytical instruments: Spectrophotometers, NMR spectrophotometer, ultra centrifuge, Microscopes.

11.0Microbiological Techniques:

11.1Media preparation and sterilization.

11.2Inoculation and growth monitoring.

12.0Cell culture techniques:

12.1Design and functioning of tissue culture laboratory.

12.2Cell proliferation measurements.

12.3Cell viability testing.

12.4Culture media preparation and cell harvesting methods.

13.0Cryotechniques :

13.1Cryopreservation for cells, tissue, organisms.

13.2Cryotechniques for microscopy.

14.0Separation techniques in biology.

14.1Molecular separations by chromatography, electrophoresis, precipitation etc.

14.2Organelle separation by centrifugation.

14.3Cell separation by flow cytometery, density gradient centrifugation, unit gravity centrifugation, affinity adsorption, anchorage based techniques etc.

15.0Radioisotope and mass isotope techniques in biology :

15.1Sample preparation for radioactive counting.

15.2Autoradiography.

15.3Metabolic labeling.

15.4Magnetic resonance Imaging

16.0Biosensors.

Suggested Reading Materials:

Animal Cell Culture – A practical approach, Ed. John R.W. Masters, IRL Press.
Introduction to Instrumental analysis, Robert Braun, McGraw Hill International editions
A Biologists guide to Principles and Techniques of Practical Biochemistry, K. Wilson and K.H. Goulding, ELBS Edn.

SEMESTER – I

Paper: Z 103 (Core)

Biosystematics and Biostatistics

Credits: 4

Objective: First section of the paper deals with theory and practice of taxonomic arrangement and classification of animal diversity, while, the second section impart knowledge about statistical assessment of the biodiversity w.r.t. quantitative and qualitative status and population dynamics.

Outcomes: Both the sections are significant for understanding the overall biodiversity of the world and their application in all the fields of biological sciences.

Note:

Nine questions will be set in all.
Question No. 1, which will be objective/short answer type covering the entire syllabus, will be compulsory. The remaining eight questions will be set section wise selecting four questions from each section (I & II). The candidate will be required to attempt question No. 1 and four more selecting two questions from each section.
As far as possible the questions should be divided into sub-parts and marks indicated part wise.

Section – A

1.0Definition and basic concepts of biosystematics and taxonomy.

1.1Historical resume, Importance and applications of systematics in biology.

2.0Trends in biosystematics – concepts of different conventional and newer aspects

2.1Chemotaxonomy

2.2Cyotaxonomy

2.3Molecular taxonomy

3.0Dimensions of speciation and taxonomic characters

3.1Species concepts – species category, different species concepts; sub-species and other intra-specific categories.

3.2Theories of biological classification, hierarchy of categories.

3.3Taxonomic characters – different kinds, weighing of characters

4.0Methodology

4.1Taxonomic collections, preservation, curetting process and identification.

4.2Taxonomic keys-different kinds of taxonomic keys, their merits and demerits.

4.3Systematic publications – different kinds of publications.

5.0International code of Zoological Nomenclature (ICZN)

5.1 Operative principles

5.2Interpretation of the following :

Stability, Priority, Concept of availability, formation of names, synonymy, homonymy, the type method, kinds of type specimen, type-designation.

Section – B

6.0 Measures of central value

Arithmetic mean, mode and median, Definition, calculation and its properties.

7.0 Measures of Dispersion:

4.4Range, Interquartile range, Quartile deviation.

4.5Mean deviation and standard deviation, Standard error

8.0 Correlation:

Methods studying correlation – Scatter diagram method, Graphic method, Karl Pearson coefficient of correlation, Rank correlation.

9.0 Regression analysis (Regression lines and regression equation.)

10.0 Concept of sampling and sampling methods:

Definition and law of sampling, judgment sampling, Random sampling, stratified sampling, systematic sampling, multi-stages sampling and quota sampling.

11.0 Test of significance for large samples and small samples (student t-test; ANOVA).

12.0 Chi-square analysis

13.0 Probability and law of probability, Theoretical probability distribution: Binomial distribution, Poison distribution, Normal distribution.

14.0 Computer in Biometrics

14.1 Components of computers

14.2 Statistical Software in Biology

Suggested Reading Material:

M. Kato. The Biology of Biodiversity, Springer.
E.O. Wilson, Biodiversity, Academic Press, Washington.
G.G. Simpson, Principle of animal taxonomy, Oxford ISH Publishing Company.
E. Mayer, Elements of Taxonomy.
E.O. Wilson, The Diversity of Life (The College Edition), W.W. Northerm & Co.
S.K. Tikadar, Threatened Animals of India, ZSI Publication, Calcutta.
Batschelet, E. Introduction to mathematics for life scientists, Springer-Verlag, Berling.
Jorgensen, S.E. Fundamentals of ecological modeling. Elsevier, New York.
Swartzman, G.L. and S.P.O. Kaluzny. Ecological simulation primer, Macmillan, New York.
Lendren, D. Modeling in behavioral ecology. Chapman and Hal, London, UK.
Sokal, R.R. and F.J. Rohlf. Biometry. Freeman, San Francisco.
Snedecor, G.W. and W.G. Cochran, Statistical methods. Affiliated East-West Pres, New Delhi (Indian ed.).
Murray, J.D. Mathematical biology. Springer-Verlag, Berlin.
Pielou, E.C. the Interpretation of ecological data:A primer on classification and ordination.

SEMESTER – I

Paper: Z 104 (Core)

Biology of Invertebrates

Credits: 4

Objective:Make students to understand how life evolved from simple to complex organization by division of labour & enhancing efficiency in Invertebrates.

Outcomes:The study of invertebrates reveals progressive evolutionary history and adaptationstogether which forms the basis of huge complex and diverse life forms.

Note:

Nine questions will be set in all.
Question No. 1, which will be objective/short answer type covering the entire syllabus, will be compulsory. The remaining eight questions will be set section wise selecting four questions from each section (I & II). The candidate will be required to attempt question No. 1 and four more selecting two questions from each section.
As far as possible the questions should be divided into sub-parts and marks indicated part wise.

Section - A

1.0Introduction to invertebrates with their general characters and classification up to class level.

2.0Minor Phyla:

2.1Concept and significance

2.2Organization and general characters of Acoelomate, Pseudocoelomates and Coelomates minor phyla (with special emphasis on Ctenophora, Rotifera, Endoprocta, Ectoprocta, Phoronida, Sipunculida and Echiuroidea).

3.0Organization of coelom

3.1Concept and structure of Acoelomate, Pseudocoelomates and Coelomates.

3.2Protostomia and Deuterostomia

3.3Metamerism in Annelida, Pseudometamerism.

4.0Locomotion

4.1Flagella and ciliary movement in Protozoa

4.2Hydrostatic movement in Coelenterata, Annelida and Echinodermata

5.0Nutrition and Digestion

5.1Patterns of feeding and digestion in lower metazoa

5.2Filter-feeding in Polychaeta, Mollusca and Echinodermata

6.0Respiration

6.1Organs of respiration : Gills, lungs and trachea

6.2Respiratory pigments

6.3Mechanism of respiration

Section – B

7.0Excretion

7.1Organs of excretion: Coelom, coelomoducts, Nephridia and Malpighian tubules.

7.2Mechanism of excretion and osmoregulation

8.0Nervous system

8.1Primitive nervous system: Coelenterata and Echinodermata

8.2Advanced nervous system: Annelida, Arthropoda (Crustacea and Insecta) and Mollusca (Cephalopoda).

8.3Trends in neural evolution.

9.0Invertebrate larvae

9.1Larval forms of free living invertebrates

9.2Strategies and Evolutionary significance of larval forms

9.3Conservation of invertebrates.

10.0Introduction to insects

10.1Mouthparts of Insects

10.2How are insects able to fly?

10.3Mechanism of insect flight.

10.4Metamorphosis in insects

10.5Hormonal control of moulting.

11.0Social life in insects

12.0Economic importance of Invertebrates; Various Adaptations in Invertebrates

Suggested Reading Materials:

Hyman, L.H. The invertebrates, Vol. I. Protozoa through Ctenophora, McGraw Hill Co., New York.
Barrington, E.J.W. Invertebrate structure and function. Thomas Nelson and Sons Ltr J. London.
Jagerstein, G. Evolution of Metazoan life cycle, Academic Press, New York & London.
Hyman, L.H. The Invertebrates. Vol.2. McGraw Hill Co., New York.
Hyman, L.H. The Invertebrates. Vol.8. McGraw Hill. Co., New York.
Barnes, R.D. Invertebrate Zoology, IIIrd edition. W.B. Saundrs Co., Philadelphia.
Russel-Hunter, W.D. A Biology of higher invertebrates, the Macmillin Co. Ltd. London.
Hyman, L.H. the Invertebrates smaller coelomate groups, Vol. V. McGraw Hill Co., New York
Read, C.P. Animal Parasitism. Prentice Hall Inc., New Jersey.
Sedgwick, A.A. Student text book of Zoology. Vol. I, II and III Central Book Depot, Allahabad
Parker, T.J., Haswell, W.A. Text book of Zoology, McMillan Co., London.

SEMESTER – I

Paper: Z 105 (Core)

Practical Examination(Based on Papers Z 101 & Z 102)

Credits: 4

Course Contents:

Preparation of mitotic and meiotic chromosomes.
Calculation of morphometric data and preparations of idiogram.
Determination of chiasma frequency and terminalization coefficient.
Preparation of polytene chromosomes (Chironomous/mosquito) and mapping.
Colorimetery and spectrophotometry, pH and buffers, isolation of sub-cellular organelles (principles).
Proteins: Quantitative estimation of proteins by Biuret method and Lowry’s method.
Carbohydrates: quantitative estimation of total carbohydrates and glucose, glucose tolerance test, different tests of urine glucose.
Lipids: iodine number, saponification value, extraction of lipids quantitative estimation of total lipids.
Nucleic acids: extraction of nucleic acids, estimation of DNA and RNA.
Paper chromatography: amino acids and carbohydrates.
Thin layer chromatography: neutral and phospholipids.
Tools: demonstration of parts and working of the following tools: PCR, GLC, Spectrophotometers, Fluorimeter, various kinds of microscopes, pH meter, Electrophoresis, Centrifuges, Tissue culture unit, Balance and Distillation units, Incubators, Photographic Equipment.
Microbiological media preparation, sterilization, dilution, inoculation and standard plant count.

SEMESTER – I

Paper: Z 106 (Core)

Practical Examination(Based on Papers Z 103 & Z 104)

Credits: 4

Course Contents:

Slides and Museum specimens of following phyla:

(a)PROTOZOA

(b)PORIFERA

(d)ANNELIDA

(e)ARTHROPODA

(f)MOLLUSCA

(f)ECHINODERMATA

(h)HEMICHORDATA

Study of mouth parts of different insects.
Mounting: Trachea, Crustacean Larva, Cyclops, Nauplius, Daphnia, Zoea, Mysis, Cercaria.
Demonstration of various systemsof Loligo/Sepia, Ak-hopper, Prawn, Cockroach, Earthworm.
Preparation and use of different types of taxonomic keys.
Statistical analysis of data using manual and computer software methods
Mean, mode & Median
Standard deviation and S.E.
Coefficient of correlation
Tests of Significance

SEMESTER – II

Paper: Z 201(Core)

Population and Community Ecology

Credits: 4

Objective: To expose the students in understanding various types of interactions between

biotic and abiotic components of environment.

Outcomes:

1)Information provided will give an insight about the benefits of ecosystem and can be used in the management of natural resources for sustainable development in ways that leave the environment healthy.

2)Many specialties within ecology such as marine, vegetation and statistical ecology provides students information to better understand the environment around them.

Note:

Nine questions will be set in all.
Question No. 1, which will be objective/short answer type covering the entire syllabus, will be compulsory. The remaining eight questions will be set section wise selecting four questions from each section (I & II). The candidate will be required to attempt question No. 1 and four more selecting two questions from each section.
As far as possible the questions should be divided into sub-parts and marks indicated part wise.

Section - A

1.0Basic Concepts: Definition, Scope and Significance of Ecology, Concept of biosphere, atmosphere, litho sphere and hydrosphere.

2.0Ecological aspects of abiotic, biotic and edaphic factors.

3.0Ecosystem: Concept, Kinds and components.

4.0Ecological energetic and energy flow: Food chains, food webs, trophic structure;concept of productivity: primary, secondary, gross and net, Energy flow models.

5.0Population characteristics

5.1Population density, methods of population density measurement

5.2Growth rate and growth forms

5.3Natality, mortality, survivorship curves and life tables

5.4Biotic potential – Generation time, net reproductive rate reproductive values

5.5Population and distribution.

5.6Population dispersion

Section – B

6.0Population regulation

6.1Extrinsic and intrinsic mechanisms

6.2Concept of density dependent and density independent factors in population regulation.

7.0Population Interactions

7.1Concept of intra specific and inter specific population interactions

7.2Protocooperation, mutualism and commensalisms

8.0Competition and niche theory.

8.1Intraspecific and inter specific interactions

8.2History of niche concepts

9.0Predation

9.1Model of prey – predatory dynamics

9.2Role of predation in nature

9.3Parasitism

10.0Community characteristics

10.1.1Species diversity; Biodiversity indices: Diversity, dominance, Similarity & dissimilarity Index

10.2Ecological Succession

10.3Ecological dominance

10.4Ecotones and Edge effect