Zoology

About the Department

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Academic Grievance Committee

Department of Zoology

A.M.U., Aligarh

The following Faculty Members are appointed as members of the Academic Grievance Committee:

S. No. Name Mob. No. Email ID

1. Prof. Mukhtar A. Khan 9412272587 khanmukhtar@yahoo.com

2. Prof. Qudsia Tahseen 9319624196 qtahseen@gmail.com

3. Prof. S.M.A. Abidi 9897785575 a.abidi92@gmail.com

4. Prof. M. K. Usmani 9897124896 usmanikamil@yahoo.com

usmanikamil94@gmail.com

5. Dr. G.G.H.A. Shadab 9412174099 gghas.amu@gmail.com

(Prof. Mohammad Afzal)

Chairperson

DEPARTMENT OF ZOOLOGY

Vision

To inhere amongst the students the highest values of life, respect for nature and inculcate sound acquisition of knowledge especially for animal sciences through quality educational practices.

Mission

- To prepare responsible, trained manpower in animal studies, teaching and research

- To produce leadership in science and technology

- To sensitize human society for animal welfare, conservation and protection of biodiversity

- To publish high quality research papers in different fields

- To undertake research projects in different fields and conduct quality research in frontier areas

- To develop infrastructural facility and introduce tools and techniques in relevant fields

The Department of Zoology was established as a constituent section of the Mohammadan Anglo Oriental (MAO) College in 1906 and subsequently it was upgraded as an independent unit, imparting teaching at undergraduate level in 1922. The Department of Zoology is now almost 97 years old. Dr. Mohammad Sharif took over as the first Head of the Department in 1923. Dr. Sharif left for Calcutta in 1925 to join the Zoological Survey of India and Mr. Inayat Ali Khan succeeded him as the next Head of the Department. Prof. Mohammad Babar Mirza joined the Department as Head in January 1930 and moulded the destiny of the Department during long thirty one years of his tenure. Through his untiring efforts he placed the Department on the global map as a well-known Centre for teaching and research in Zoological Sciences. Soon after the commencement of postgraduate teaching in 1930's and shifting of the Department to its present premises, Prof. M.B. Mirza carved out the specializations of Entomology and Helminthology in 1931 and 1932 respectively, and, later Parasitology and Ichthyology & Fisheries in 1951 and 1956 respectively. He retired from the services in May, 1961 and subsequently, Prof. M.A. Basir took over as Head of the Department and established Plant Nematology as a distinct discipline for postgraduate teaching and research. He was succeeded in October, 1966 by Prof. Shah Mashhood Alam who served the Department for about 38 years. During this period, the Department acquired particular prominence as a well-reputed Centre for research in Entomology. Thereafter, Prof. Nawab Hasan Khan succeeded Prof. S. M. Alam in July 1981 as Chairman (a new nomenclature) of the Department and he provided boost to Plant Nematology and Genetics as distinct disciplines for postgraduate teaching and research.

The period of Prof. Athar H. Siddiqui as Chairman witnessed the dawn of a new era of modern biology. Prof. M.S. Jairajpuri, who was also appointed as Director, Zoological Survey of India and founder Vice-Chancellor, Maulana Azad National Urdu University (MANUU), Hyderabad was a renowned academician and founder Coordinator and Director of Institute of Agriculture, AMU and he was also the Chairman of the Department. Prof. Mumtaz A. Khan, Prof. M.M. Agarwal, Prof. A.K. Jafri, Prof. Jameel Ahmad Khan and Prof. Durdana S. Jairajpuri carried out their tasks with great aplomb and success. Their efforts brought the Department on extremely sound footing. The contribution made by Prof. M. Hayat, Prof. Asif A. Khan and Prof. Absar M. Khan provided a new infrastructural fillip to the Department during their tenures as Chairman. Prof. Irfan Ahmad, Prof. Iqbal Parwez and Prof. Wasim Ahmad added their noteworthy efforts in infrastructure and remodelling of courses. Hence, from a small one room-offspring, it has grown into a well-developed Centre of teaching and research, with all the essential requisites for the pursuits of advance biology. Its schools of specialization in Entomology, Genetics, Ichthyology & Fisheries, Nematology and Parasitology have attained new heights and acquired international recognition.

Presently, the Department is under the dynamic leadership of Prof. Mohammad Afzal and with his creative guidance, the Department is attaining new heights in terms of teaching and infrastructural development in modern/applied research. Faculty members of the department are actively involved in various research areas such as Human Genetics, Population Genetics, Genetic Epidemiology, Genetic Toxicology, Proteomics, Cancer, Stem Cells, Translational Research, Neuropharmacology, Fish Nutrition and Feed Technology, Fish Biology, Limnology, Aquatic Toxicology, Ecophysiology, Phytoremediation, Mycoremediation, Insect and Nematode Diversity and Ecology, Integrated Pest Management, Behaviour and Physiology of Insects and Nematodes, Molecular and Biochemical aspects of Malaria, Toxoplasmosis, Immunodiagnosis of Helminth Parasites. The Department of Zoology also has collaborations with reputed Universities and Institutes in USA, Germany, UK, Spain, Belgium, China, Japan, Korea and the Netherlands, besides key national centres like AIIMS, NII, CDRI, IITR among others. Some of the faculty members are recipient of various National and International Awards such as E.K. Janaki Ammal National Award, Vigyan Ratan Award, SP Gupta Gold Medal, ONTA Special Award, Shakuntala Amir Chand Prizes, Indian Academy of Biomedical Sciences Award and Young Scientist Awards. Few faculty members are fellows of prestigious National Academy of Sciences such as Indian National Science Academy (INSA), New Delhi; National Academy of Science, Allahabad; Indian Academy of Sciences, Bangalore. In the last four years, approximately 380 research papers along with a publication in Nature by Prof. Wasim Ahmad, several books, monographs and book chapters have been published in reputed National and International Journals/Books. We have founder editors of the journal, Biology and Medicine and Journal of Insect Systematics from this department.

The Department has also produced more than 65 Ph.Ds/M.Phils during last five years. Besides, the Department of Zoology has received grants of more than Rs. 3.5 crores during the last five years from various national and international R & D agencies such as UGC, DST (including DST-PURSE), DBT (including DBT Builder Program), CSIR, ICAR, CCRUM, AYUSH, MOEF, CST (UP), ICMR, BBSRC (UK) etc. The strength of the Department lies in its highly qualified and devoted teaching staff, diverse research interests in basic and applied sciences, modern teaching aids along with dedicated Post-Docs and research students. Recently, the US News Education has ranked AMU at 294th in the world for studying Biology and Biochemistry. The Faculty of Life Sciences has been ranked 'number one Faculty of the Nation' in Times Higher Education-India ranking 2018. The department has facility for human karyotyping for cytogenetic disorders and other biochemical disorders, conducted in the Section of Genetics by Prof. Mohammad Afzal's research group. The reports are already published in respective journals. The department wants to undertake interdisciplinary research programme in neuroscience, evolutionary biology, theoretical biology, complexity theory among others.

PROGRAMS:

Ph.D. (Zoology) Program Educational Objectives (PEOs)

The PEOs of the Ph.D. program will allow students to:

PEO-1: Provide fundamental background and training in research in Zoology including specific experimental and research skills and approaches in a selected area of Zoology, Molecular Biology and Modern Biology.

PEO-2: Provide opportunities to develop transferable skills; inculcate a culture of quality and responsibility in conducting research.

PEO-3: Enhance a student�?�¢??s capacity to work effectively with others, to solve problem, think critically and innovatively in areas chosen.

PEO-4: Develop substantive knowledge in their area of specialization.

PEO-5: Master the analytical and methodological skills required to evaluate and conduct research in specialization and related areas.

PEO-6: Design and conduct original research problem in their area of specialization.

PEO-7: Demonstrate the ability to communicate the results of their research work in a clear and effective manner.

PEO-8: Demonstrate the ability to work effectively with other people from various ethnic, educational, and work experience backgrounds.

PEO-9: Demonstrate an understanding and concern for the high ethical standards in research, teaching, and service.

PEO-10: Demonstrate the ability to teach college-level courses in their area of specialization.

Ph.D. (Zoology) Program Outcomes

After successfully completing Ph.D. Program students will be able to:

PO1: Access the primary literature, identify relevant works for a particular topic in life science, and evaluate the scientific content of these works.

PO2: Explain the kinds of data generated by various workers in the field of Zoological research.

PO3: Explain contemporary issues in Zoological sciences relevant to the area of specialization.

PO4: Exercise critical judgment, independent thinking and problem solving through the research work undertaken.

PO5: Demonstrate critical and creative thinking, with an aptitude for continued self- directed learning.

PO6: Graduates will be able to summarize major themes and current research problems in their area of specialization (review).

PO7: Possess an ability to identify, formulate, and solve biological problems to contribute to service efforts to the community.

PO8: Apply multidisciplinary fundamentals of statistical tools, software and physical principles (physics, chemistry) to the analysis of relevant biological situations.

PO9: Write scientific reports and communicate results in oral presentations.

PO10: Publish the findings in scientific journal, conference proceedings and books.

PO11: Write thesis in a standard scientific format using the current norms of scientific writings.

PO12: Students master the objectives for learning outcomes in an undergraduate discipline.

PO13: Graduates will be able to communicate the major tenets of their field and their work orally and in writing for students, peers and the lay public (tutorial).

PO14: Graduates will be able to identify areas where ethical issues may arise in their work or discipline, and articulate strategies for dealing with ethical issues in the profession.

PO15: Graduates will be able to explain and identify open problems and areas needing development in environment, health and agriculture.

M.Sc. ZOOLOGY PROGRAM

PROGRAM EDUCATIONAL OBJECTIVES (PEOs):

PEO-1: To inculcate the understanding of diverse and complex fields of Zoology like Systematics and Taxonomy, Anatomy and Physiology, Evolutionary Biology and Ecology, Cell biology, Molecular biology and Biochemistry, to provide an appropriate foundation for a career in biomedical and agricultural sciences and effectively train for various challenges of the society.

PEO-2: To train academically sound researchers and intellectuals in the area of Zoology, like Genetics, Fisheries, Entomology, Parasitology and Nematology.

PEO-3: To impart modern research and technological skills amongst the Masters students in order to become professionals and leaders in the sector of Zoological sciences.

PROGRAM OUTCOMES (POs):

PO-1: Students will demonstrate the ability to identify, formulate and solve problems in the area of Zoological sciences.

PO-2: Students will have the ability to perform various laboratory procedures in the areas of Genetics, Fisheries, Entomology, Parasitology and Nematology and their applications in biological sciences.

PO-3: Students will acquire the aptitude for creative thinking, critical analysis and decision making for productive research and development in the area of Zoological sciences.

PO-4: Students will acquire understanding of tools and techniques, and their usage in analysis and design of experiments.

PO-5: Students will learn to work in field, clinical and laboratory set ups, also design experiments and communicate through effective presentations.

PO-6: Students will get the understanding of the professional and ethical responsibilities.

PO-7: Students will have the ability to contribute effectively both individually as well as collectively in diverse and multi-disciplinary environments.

PO-8: Students will participate and succeed in various national and international competitive examinations.

B.Sc. ZOOLOGY PROGRAM

PROGRAM EDUCATIONAL OBJECTIVES (PEOs):

PEO-1: Students will have successful professional careers in academics as well as in the public/private sectors in the field of biological/biomedical/agricultural sciences.

PEO-2: The students will be capable enough to acquire basic and specialist science skills, their use and incorporation to boost their confidence and faith, for effective personal and professional development.

PEO-3: Students will be able to gain holistic knowledge about the environment that is essential for being a responsible citizen to protect Nature.

PEO-4: Students will be equipped with the life-long learning process for self-sustainability, employability and leadership roles in our dynamic society.

PROGRAM OUTCOMES (POs):

PO-1: Students will be able to demonstrate the knowledge of animal sciences across the disciplines of Zoology.

PO-2: The students will develop the ability of scientific reasoning and problem solving.

PO-3: The students will acquire the ability to pursue various paths, including graduate school, professional training programs, or entry level jobs in any area of biology.

PO-4: Students will have the knowledge of statistical analysis and hands-on training in laboratory skills, and field techniques.

PO-5: Students will develop confidence for self-education and ability to engage in life-long learning.

PO-6: Students will develop better communication skills.

PO-7: Students will have the ability to contribute effectively both individually as well as collectively, in diverse and multi-disciplinary environments.

PO-8: Students will be able to actively participate and succeed in various competitive examinations.