Botany as a program of the study came into the mainstream as “Natural Science” in 1956. It serves exclusively as a department offering UG program from 1982 onwards and PG program since 1986. With a state-of-the-art laboratory and a well-wrought biological specimens, the department promotes research fervor sustained from a sound acquaintance with the basics of plant science.
The department of Botany is fully equipped to handle the theory and practical classes for graduates, masters, and researchers. Specialized Laboratories for Microbiology, Molecular Biology, Plant Tissue Culture, and Bioinformatics have been established under the prestigious DST- FIST and DBT-STAR College Schemes. The department houses a wonderful collection of botanical specimens and a garden with plants of academic interest.
The department is located on the 2nd and 3rd Floor of the Jawaharlal Nehru (JN) Block with Green Corridors and Spacious classrooms enabled with Projector and Internet facility. Most importantly, the NCIF (National College Instrumentation Facility) with high-end equipment like Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM), GC-MS, HPLC, FT-IR, AAS, XRD is accessible to the students of Botany for teaching and training.
Nowadays, modern botany is no more only a descriptive science, it is moving towards the investigation of molecular and mechanistic aspects, so we train our students with tools and techniques of Biotechnology in a well equipped Molecular Biology Laboratory established under the prestigious DBT STAR COLLEGE Scheme. A specialized course on Fermentor / Bioreactor operations and applications is offered with an emphasis on hands-on training in Stirred Column, Air-lift / Bubble Column, Fluidized Bed, and Photo Bioreactors.
The department offers an intensive training program for students which aims to equip botany students with the skills and knowledge required to start their own ventures post-study. Through Academia-Industry collaborations, we break down traditional academic silos and drive a new multidisciplinary culture and curricula. To mention a few, we offer training on Mushroom Cultivation, Organic farming, SCP, Biofertilizer, and Bioenzyme productions. Placement training programs are offered exclusively for final year students.
We have field trips, educational tours; organize intercollegiate competitions, hold fresher’s meet (Student Induction Programme), and even ‘sad’ send-off (farewell) meetings. All these activities, beyond fun and learning, nurture connection and strengthen the bond between students and lifts up the sense of belonging with the department. Members of the faculty and students are also involved in other community outreach programs in their personal capabilities.
Botany @ NCT is one of the leading Departments in this region for Teaching, Training, and Research in Plant Sciences. We study plants because they are of vital importance; as the source of all our food, the oxygen we breathe, and most of the medicines we use. They are central to the processes of global climate change and to the provision of food and energy for an expanding human population. Our interests range over the areas of plant systematics, photochemistry, medicinal plants, tissue culture, biodiversity conservation, environment, and sustainability.
We offer wide-ranging courses designed to prepare students for active careers. There are also many opportunities for independent and faculty-mentored studies. We have diverse faculty committed to teaching and mentorship.At present, the strength of the faculty stands at Seven. There are currently 40 students enrolled for the B.Sc program, 20 students enrolled for the M.Sc program, and 12 research scholars for Ph.D. As a result of the Low student-to-faculty ratio, the staff and students of the Department of Botany are involved in a range of activities that extend the appreciation and understanding of the botanical world beyond the classroom and research laboratory.
The entire curriculum is revamped with wide-ranging courses with an emphasis on hands-on training to prepare students for successful careers. Fast learners have opportunities for independent and faculty-mentored studies through Add-on courses and Extra Credit Courses.
