Department of Zoology

About Us:

The department of Zoology was established in 1963 and is a recognized postgraduate centre. It is also recognized as a research centre for enrolling students for the M Sc (by research) and Ph D degrees. At the postgraduate level the department offers two specializations viz. Animal Physiology and Oceanography.

Faculty Profile:

 There are eight staff members in the department, six of them are doctorate and one has enrolled for the Ph D degree. Six staff members are recognized postgraduate teachers of the affiliating University. One staff member is recognized to guide students for PhD degree. One staff member is Vice Principal of the college. One staff member is member Board of studies in Zoology and Faculty of Science. Almost all members are in syllabus committee and contribute to curriculum revision and implementation. The staff members are invited as subject experts for selection and placement of teachers. All staff members are members of at least one professional body.

Student Profile:

The department has about 200 students in undergraduate program and 20 at the PG level. At UG level the students are mostly from vernacular medium coming from economically underprivileged section of the society and are of average competency.

Changes in the Course/Program:

 In the last few years to develop global competencies among students topics like Molecular biology, Biotechnology, Epidemiology, etc along with practical skills have been introduced.

Trends in Success and drop out rates:

 The pass percentage of undergraduate students is above 80% and many of them secure a first class. The pass percentage of the Postgraduate students is above 70%.

Learning Resources of the department:

 In addition to the central library the departmental library has 100 books, a few periodicals and thesis. There are six computers in the department with connectivity. These are mainly used by the students for project work. There are four laboratories of different sizes. They are well equipped, ventilated and illuminated. The laboratories are shared with the Botany department and together the departments have sophisticated instruments for students to get hands on training.

Modern teaching methods practiced and use of ICT in teaching – learning:

 Teaching besides the conventional class room teaching involves field trips, seminars, quiz, and group discussions. ICT is widely used for explaining relevant topics. The department has a reasonable collection of computer based teaching material. The staff members make teaching interesting by adopting innovating techniques like skits on topics of social relevance and curriculum based. Zoology can be understood better on field than in classroom, and hence teachers in Zoology organize frequent nature trails, field trips and excursions to give the students ample opportunities to understand nature as well as to become hard core conservationists.

Participation of teachers in academic and personal counselling of students:

Teachers are extremely humane and go an extra mile to make students at home. Teachers are available for extended period of time in the department; students freely approach them for problem solving both personal and academic. An excellent rapport exists among the staff and the students. 

Faculty development Programs:

Teachers are encouraged and   they readily participate in various workshops and seminars. They have also completed the required numbers of orientation and refresher courses. They also present papers at various forums. One teacher has won the best prize for project related to waste management and along with her team of students manages the biodegradable waste on the premises. One staff member is an active researcher and the team leader for the International Olympiad. All teachers participated in the training program for selection of students for the International Olympiad.

In the last five years, number  of  teachers of the department have been invited as resourse persons at Seminars/Workshops/ Symposia/Conventions etc., they are also on the various organizing panels and committes. They have presented  research papers and published in research journals/books. The PG students are given an opportunity to work in Environment Impact Assessment and Comprehensive Ecological Surveys undertaken by Dr. P. G. Kale.

Participation/ contribution of teachers in the academic activities: Teaching/Consultancy/ Research:

 The department of Zoology takes pride in being the main centre for training students for the International Biology Olympiad. The staff members actively participate in this activity. Dr P G kale was the team leader for the International Olympiad held at Brisbane, Australia. He has been selected to lead the team for the International Olympiad 2008. He is also a member of the National Steering Committee for Science Olympiads and General Secretary of the Indian Association of Teachers in Biological Sciences.

Colloboration with other Departments and Institute:

 With their rich heritage the department has been able to collaborate with University department of Mumbai, Homi Bhabha Centre for Science (HSBC), Education Therapeutic drug monitoring centre, Mumbai, Anchrome laboratories, Haffkine Institute and I I T Mumbai. Several laboratories like LabIndia, Equiptronics, REMI  provide guest lecturers for the benefit of students and staff. Dr. P.G. Kale is associated with several NGOs like Bombay Natural History Society, Enviro-vigil, Hariyali, Nyass, etc. besides being Hon. Director of Vanaparva Forest Development Institute. He guides the participants of the Leadership Course in Biodiversity organized by the conservation Education Centre of BNHS and leads the field visits of the above organizations.

Priority Areas of research and details of ongoing projects and publications:

 The priority areas of research are Ecophysiology, Toxicology, Environment impact assessment, antioxidant defenses, and, waste management. In the last six years the staff members have completed four projects. Currently one staff member is working on the Ecological impact assessment of the proposed site for International Airport at Panvel along with I I T Mumbai. He is also on the panel as a consultant for improvement of Mithi River and along its banks.

Community Outreach:

Teachers of the department contribute actively to the community based programmes.  They are invited as guests by educational as well as social organizations at a variety of occasions.

Placement record of students and contribution of department to aid placement:

 Being a major centre for studies in Zoology the department has provided good teachers to various colleges in Mumbai and its suburbs. 30 % of the students pursue higher studies. Our students are well placed and some of them have excelled in their profession. Dr Y Jhala who was topper from our college progressed for his Ph D program in US with a staff member from the department as a co guide and is now the Deputy Director of Wild life Institute of India,  Dehradun. Another student is the director of the Human gene therapy, University of  Pennsylvania, USA.