Announcements

From the academic year 2024 onwards, the department has been offering the Four Year Undergraduate Programme (FYUGP) in Zoology with specialisation in Fisheries Science. Student can choose his/her own pathway for learning. On successful attainment of 133 credits in a three-year period, a student shall be awarded an Undergraduate Degree in Zoology. In a four-year period, the student can successfully attain 177 credits and shall be awarded with either Undergraduate Honours Degree or Undergraduate Honours with Research Degree. There shall be a fast track mode to enable students to complete the programme in N-1 Semesters.

Zoology is a dynamic and interdisciplinary branch of science with vast scope and growing relevance in the modern world. It enables the scientific exploration of animal life, from microscopic organisms to highly complex multicellular animals, and helps in understanding their structure, physiology, behavior, evolution, ecology, and interactions with the environment. By studying the fascinating diversity of animal life, Zoology provides valuable insights into the functioning of ecosystems and the intricate balance of nature. The discipline offers students opportunities to investigate a wide range of biological phenomena, including animal adaptations, biodiversity, genetics, wildlife biology, and ecosystem dynamics. It also helps in understanding the evolutionary relationships among organisms and the ecological significance of different species within natural habitats. Through theoretical knowledge and practical exposure, students gain a deeper appreciation of the natural world and develop scientific skills essential for research and environmental management. In the present era of environmental crises and rapid ecological changes, Zoology plays a vital role in addressing global challenges such as biodiversity loss, habitat degradation, climate change, pollution, and emerging infectious diseases. The subject contributes significantly to wildlife conservation, sustainable resource management, ecosystem restoration, and public health by providing scientific knowledge and innovative solutions for environmental protection and biodiversity conservation. A degree in Zoology opens up diverse academic and career opportunities in areas such as research, teaching, wildlife conservation, fisheries, aquaculture, environmental consultancy, biotechnology, healthcare, forest and wildlife services, and scientific administration. Whether pursuing higher studies, engaging in scientific research, or contributing to conservation and sustainable development, Zoology equips students with the knowledge, skills, and environmental awareness needed to make meaningful contributions to society and the natural world.

Graduate attributes bridge the gap between academia and the real world, fostering lifelong learning and meaningful contributions. They denote the skills, competencies and high-level qualities that a student should acquire during their university education. Apart from gathering content knowledge, these attributes go beyond the assimilation of information to its application in various contexts throughout a graduate’s life. It aims in inculcating the art of critical thinking, problem solving, professionalism, leadership readiness, teamwork, communication skills and intellectual breadth of knowledge. The University of Kerala envisages to pave the path in guiding the student’s journey to shape these attributes uniquely, making them integral to personal growth and success in various spheres of life. The University strives to ensure that these graduate attributes are not just checkboxes, but they play a pivotal role in shaping the students into capable, compassionate and responsible individuals with a high degree of social responsibility.

PROGRAMME OUTCOMES (PO)

  • PO-1 Critical thinking

    • analyze information objectively and make a reasoned judgment
    • draw reasonable conclusions from a set of information, and discriminate between useful and less useful details to solve problems or make decisions
    • identify logical flaws in the arguments of others
    • evaluate data, facts, observable phenomena, and research findings to draw valid and relevant results that are domain-specific

  • PO-2 Complex problem-solving

    • solve different kinds of problems in familiar and no-familiar contexts and apply the learning to real-life situations
    • analyze a problem, generate and implement a solution and to assess the success of the plan
    • understand how the solution will affect both the people involved and the surrounding environment

  • PO-3 creativity

    • produce or develop original work, theories and techniques
    • think in multiple ways for making connections between seemingly unrelated concepts or phenomena
    • add a unique perspective or improve existing ideas or solutions
    • generate, develop and express original ideas that are useful or have values

  • PO-4 Communication skills

    • convey or share ideas or feelings effectively
    • use words in delivering the intended message with utmost clarity
    • engage the audience effectively
    • be a good listener who are able to understand, respond and empathize with the speaker
    • confidently share views and express himself/herself

  • PO-5 Leadership qualities

    • work effectively and lead respectfully with diverse teams
    • build a team working towards a common goal
    • motivate a group of people and make them achieve the best possible solution.
    • help and support others in their difficult times to tide over the adverse situations with courage

  • PO-6 Learning ‘how to learn’ skills

    • acquire new knowledge and skills, including ‘learning how to learn skills, that are necessary for pursuing learning activities throughout life, through self-paced and self-directed learning
    • work independently, identify appropriate resources required for further learning
    • acquire organizational skills and time management to set self- defined goals and targets with timelines
    • inculcate a healthy attitude to be a lifelong learner

  • PO-7 Digital and technological skills

    • use ICT in a variety of learning and work situations, access, evaluate, and use a variety of relevant information sources
    • use appropriate software for analysis of data
    • understand the pitfalls in the digital world and keep safe from them

  • PO-8 Value inculcation

    • embrace and practice constitutional, humanistic, ethical, and moral values in life including universal human values of truth, righteous conduct, peace, love, nonviolence, scientific temper, citizenship values
    • formulate a position/argument about an ethical issue from multiple perspectives
    • identify ethical issues related to work, and follow ethical practices, including avoiding unethical behaviour such as fabrication, falsification or misrepresentation of data, or committing plagiarism, and adhering to intellectual property rights
    • adopt an objective, unbiased, and truthful actions in all aspects of work

PROGRAMME SPECIFIC OUTCOMES (PSO)

  • No. Upon completion of the Undergraduate programme in Zoology the graduate will be able to PO No.
    PSO-1 Demonstrate Proficiency in Zoological Concepts and Principles, Understand and apply fundamental concepts in zoology including taxonomy, anatomy, physiology, ecology, and evolution. PO1, PO2
    PSO-2 Collect, analyze, and interpret data related to animal behavior, population dynamics, and ecological interactions using appropriate statistical and computational methods. Present research findings, theories, and concepts in zoology effectively through written reports, oral presentations, and visual aids to diverse audiences. Communicate scientific information effectively PO1, PO3, PO4, PO5, PO6, PO7
    PSO-3 Explore the diversity of animal life across different taxonomic groups and understand the physiological, morphological, and behavioral adaptations that enable their survival in various environments. Evaluate the impact of human activities on wildlife. PO1, PO2, PO3, PO4, PO6, PO7, PO8
    PSO-4 Demonstrate, explain and appreciate the molecular and cellular basis of physiological functions in animals and dynamics of life system. PO7, PO8
    PSO-5 Acquire innovative skills which will enable production of knowledge and skills required for employment in biochemistry, Fisheries Science
    /Entomology/ Environmental Science, microbiology, aquaculture, vermiculture/apiculture and bio technology on the level of the gene, genome, and their functions.
    PO5, PO6, PO8
    PSO-6 Perform practical skills in the areas of laboratory experiments and good laboratory practices (GLP) related to dissection, developmental biology, biochemistry, cell and molecular biology, genetics, immunology and microbiology. PO6. PO8
    PSO-7 Work collaboratively with professionals from diverse disciplines such as ecology, genetics, conservation biology, and environmental science to address complex issues related to animal biology and conservation. PO6. PO8

PROGRAMME STRUCTURE

  • Semester Course Type Course Code Course Title
    Semester I DSC UK1DSCZOO101 Non-Chordate Diversity - Part I
    MDC UK1MDCZOO101 Health and Sex education
    Semester II DSC UK2DSCZOO101 Non-Chordate Diversity - Part II
    MDC UK2MDCZOO101 Global Climate Change
     
    Semester III
    DSC UK3DSCZOO201 Chordate Diversity - Part I
    DSE UK3DSEZOO201 Fisheries Science I- Taxonomy and Fishery Biology
     
    Semester IV
     
    DSC
    UK4DSCZOO201 Chordate Diversity-Part II
    UK4DSCZOO202 Evolution and Zoogeography
    DSE UK4DSEZOO201 Fisheries Science II- Principles of Aquaculture
    Internship UK4INTZOO200 Internship in Zoology
     
     
     
    Semester V
     
     
    DSC
    UK5DSCZOO301 Developmental Biology
    UK5DSCZOO302 Animal Physiology
    UK5DSCZOO303 Microbiology and Immunology
     
    DSE
    UK5DSEZOO301 Ecology and Disaster Management
    UK5DSEZOO302 Fisheries Science III- Culture of Finfishes and Shellfishes
    SEC UK5SECZOO301 Vermiculture and Vermicomposting
     
     
     
     
     
    Semester VI
     
     
    DSC
    UK6DSCZOO301 Cell and Molecular Biology
    UK6DSCZOO302 Genetics and Biotechnology
    UK6DSCZOO303 Biochemistry
     
    DSE
    UK6DSEZOO301 Animal Behaviour and Chronobiology
    UK6DSEZOO302 Fisheries Science IV- Fish Processing Technologies
    SEC UK6SECZOO301 Ornamental Fish Production and Aquarium Management
     
     
    Semester VII
     
    DSC
    UK7DSCZOO401 Instrumentation and Biological Techniques
    UK7DSCZOO404 Human Physiology: The Life Sustaining systems
    DSE UK7DSEZOO401 Research Methodology and Biostatistics
     
     
    Semester VIII
    DSC-
    Online/DL
       
    Project UK8CIPZOO400 OR
    UK8RPHZOO400
    Capstone Internship Project in Honours Programme OR
    Project in Honours with Research Programme