Brief History

Courses Offered

         Undergraduate Courses:

          (1) BSc. Zoology ( M.G.University)

Results of 2006-2007

Students appeared : 24

First class : 22

Second class : 2

(2)B.Sc. BT & SP (Biological Techniques & Specimen Preparation )  ( UGC-sponsored Vocational Course, affliated to M.G University )

Results of 2006-2007

Students appeared : 30

First class : 29

Second class : 1

          Post Graduate Courses:
          M.Sc Biotechnology

Research : Several M.Sc proects & 1 PhD Scholar

Academic Programmes

Faculty

Head: Dr. T. Thomas Philip M.Sc.(Calicut), Ph.D. ( Guelph ) ,

P.D.F.( Guelph ) , P.D.F ( British Columbia )

Permanent

Guest

Lab Assignments

Mr.Praveen .M.V	Biotechnology lab
Miss. Sreedevi P V	Microbiology
Mrs. Pearly Tony / Jisha S	Biochemistry lab
Mr.Praveen .M.V	Association in charge for MSc Biotechnology

Retired

Prof. N.C.Chacko

Prof. P.Jacob Kurien

Dr.(Mrs.)Susan George

Mrs. Annie George

The Department has a small library of selected reference text books, in addition to the General Library of the College. Most of the books in the Department library are foreign editions authored by well-known international authors, and hence very expensive. In order to facilitate their use by our students, we photocopy them (2 or 3 copies) and have them spiral-bound. The originals are kept in the library for reference in the Department. The student can, however, take the spiral-bound copes home or to their hostels for reading. This is one area which we want to make more extensive by acquiring several more International Text Books and Manuals for the use of students and faculty. Department Library has over 250 books.Department subscribes one journal ---  . "ADVANCED BIOTECH ”

Other Facilities

We have 3 computers, with Internet facility in one of them. The PG students make special use of the computers for their projects (reference collection, writing etc). We have a very good DNA/Molecular Biology laboratory, in addition to Microbiology, Biochemistry, Histology, Zoology laboratories. All 14 students of our final MSc have done their projects (tissue culture, microbiology, biotechnology, disease diagnosis etc) in our own laboratories. Now, many students go out to institutes such as BARC, Rajiv Gandhi centre for biotechnology, RCC, Amala Cancer Institute, and Amrita Institute of Medical Science. We have created several transgenic plants (bitter gourd, soyabeen) having pest-resistance.

Activities of the Department

Although the primary teaching method is giving lectures, specific topic are allotted to both the UG and PG students for Seminars and Assignments. In addition, Quizzes and discussions are encouraged in many classes.

Our BT&SP students undergo 4 weeks of practical training in Haematology, Microbiology, and Clinical aspects in the Malalnkara Orthodox Syrian Church Medical College, Kolencherry, and receive Certificates from this institution. In addition, they also undergo a 3 week training in plant tissue culture at SYNTHITE Industrial Chemicals Ltd., and receive their Certificates. These Certificates have been found to be a great bonus to these students in their higher studies and in obtaining jobs.

We are always happy to have scientists from abroad. We have had a few renowned international scientists visiting the Department and leading seminars on subjects of current international significance. An international Seminar on Molecular Basis of Deseases and their Diagnosis was conducted 31 May 2006 to 2 June 2006 . A workshop on radioisotopes in Biology was conducted under the leadership of BRIT (Govt.of India ) during 1-2 June 2006.

Just as we assess the students through tests, terminal examinations, seminars, assignments etc, we also allow the students to assess us by providing them with a questionnaire that evaluates different aspects of our teaching. We give great importance to such evaluations by our students.

Student Research

A manuscript submitted by one of these students has been accepted for publication as a full paper in the Journal of the Society for Biology and Biotechnology.

Mr. Praveen M (Lecturer in Biotechnology) has started his Ph.D. research under the supervision of the HOD, Dr.T.Thomas Philip on molecular aspects of Alzheimer’s disease.

Brief history of the research wing

( b )  Community Extension activities

(c )   Alumini

( d ) Other highlights

The primary objective of our Department is to impart the best education to our students in the broad areas of Zoology, Biological Techniques and Biotechnology. Hence we have enlisted the services of a number of guest faculty in addition to the “permanent” faculty, who have expertise in various disciplines and many of whom have obtained their PhDs from Europe & U.S and are engaged in research /Consultation with international collaborators/agencies. We also have had the privilage of seminars/Lectures by international scientists. For example, we had Prof. Dr. George K Iwama, Director General, National Research Council of Canada & Dr. Anil .N. (a  former students of ours), Researcher in Neurophysiology at New York state University, USA visiting us and leading Seminars in 2003. In the present year 2004 we had Dr.John Nadakkavukaran (from Malden,Massachusetts, USA) with us , who gave  a lecture on techniques employed for elucidation of structures biologically important molecules.

Now that we have established a DNA lab and acquired a number of sophisticated equipment, we are venturing into full-fledged research in the area of Molecular Biology/Microbiology/Bio- technology.

We conducted an exhibition of Zoology and Biotechnology items on 26^th & 27^th of November 2004.

We conducted an International Seminar cum Workshop from 31 May 2006 – 2 June 2006 on “ Molecular Basis of Diseases and their diagnosis. The workshop was on the applications of radioisotopes in Biology. It was led by scientists from BRIT (Board of Radiation & Isotope Technology), Dept.of Atomic Energy, Govt.of India . The international resource persons were Prof. Dr. George K Iwama, Professor of Biology and Dean of Science at Acadia University , Canada , and Dr. Mathailakath M Vijayan, Assoc.Professor and University research chair, University of Waterloo , Ontario , Canada . In addition, we had eminent persons from regional Cancer Center , TVM, Rajiv Gandhi Center for biotechnology, TVM, and consultant neurologist from Ernakulam.

Now that we have established a DNA lab and acquired a number of sophisticated equipment, we are venturing into full-fledged research in the area of Molecular Biology/Microbiology/Biotechnology. One of our faculty members Mr. Praveen M V is working under Dr. T Thomas Philip on molecular tools for the early detection of Alzheimer’s disease

We have recently renovated our 3 Biotechnology labs for better facilities for MSc practicals and research at the doctoral level.

( e ) Association activities

Two days exhibition on Zoology and Biotechnology items on 26 th and 27 th of November 2004.
Won first prize in the Departmental  Floral carpet competition 2006  held in the college.  One day picnic to Thommenkuthu was done by the entire department.

(f) Lecture/Seminar series  
Seminar on AIDS – on World Aids Day December 1^st 2004 by Anju Mary Philip

(g) Scholarships

Roll of Honour

  Special achievements of students