1. THE COURSES
The M.Sc. Courses in Botany are 2 years full-time curriculum, spread over 4 semesters, with four theory Papers (three cores and one interdisciplinary / multidisciplinary) and one combined practical in first two semesters. The last two semesters offer choice of courses to the students where two core courses and one elective courses will be taught. Any elective course will be taught only when prerequisite number of the student enrols for that course. The minimum required number of student to run a course varies from course to course and to be decided by the Staff Council of the Department from time to time. A semester will be of about 100 working days. At the starting of Semester ‑ III, students will be offered a Dissertation which is an original piece of research work and is part fulfilment for the degree, to be carried out by the student and submitted at the end of the fourth semester for evaluation. The elective courses and subject of dissertation should be decided by the student at the beginning of the 3rd Semester.
1.1 EDUCATIONAL STUDY TOUR
The Educational study tour (s) is compulsory and part of the Curriculum to study different ecosystems, botanical, zoological and microbiological places of interest anywhere in the country. Since the tour or tours are part of the curriculum, these can be conducted during any or all of the four semesters. The study tours can be undertaken anywhere within India to meet the academic demand. The students shall make Tour Reports and submit them during the IV Semester Examination for their evaluation. However, in special cases, alternative of the educational tour will be decided and assigned to the student concerned, by the Staff Council of the Department.
1.2 SEMINARS
Regular seminars will be organised on I and II Semesters and it is compulsory. Presentation on relevant topics, mostly from syllabus (oral and / or poster), is mandatory for the enrolled student. For each seminar, a student will be given marks, which will be added in the III Semester marksheet.
1.3 ATTENDANCE
Admitted students have to attend all the Lectures, Practicals and Seminars. A minimum prescribed attendance as per University rules is required to sanction a term grant. Students whose term is not granted will not be allowed to appear in the examination and will have to join the same semester in the following year.
1.4. EXAMINATIONS
At the theory examinations, there shall be questions from the four units and all the questions are compulsory. Theory Examinations will be held at the end of each semester. However, Internal Examinations will be conducted by the Department during the ongoing Semester dates of which will be decided by the Staff Council. Students are required to apply in the prescribed application form for appearing in the Semester- end Theory Examination along with the necessary examination fees on the date to be notified by the University. The semester wise distribution of the courses and papers are given below.
2. SEMESTER WISE DISTRIBUTION OF MARKS:
SEMESTER‑I: 4 Papers (100 Marks each* ) : 400 ; 1 Combined Laboratory course : 200 ; Total 600 marks
SEMESTER‑II: 4 Papers (100 Marks each* ) : 400 ; 1 Combined Laboratory course : 200 ; Total 600 marks
SEMESTER‑III: 3 Papers (100 Marks each* ) : 300 ; 1 Combined Laboratory course : 150 ; Seminars : 50 ; Total 500 marks
SEMESTER‑IV: 3 Papers (100 Marks each* ) : 300 ; 1 Combined Laboratory course : 150 ; Tour / Field Work : 50 ; Dissertation : 200 ; Total 700 marks
Grand Total : 2400 Marks (* 70 Theory + 30 Internal )
2.1. EVALUATION OF PAPERS
The theory papers will be having a weightage of 100 marks each. Out of 100 marks, 30 marks are in the form of Internal Examinations. The written Semester end examination for a paper will be of 70 marks from 4 Units. The question paper will be of 5 questions carrying a total of 70 Marks. However, these are subjected to changes as per University rules prevailing at that time.
3.0 ADMISSION
Academic year of the University begins from May-June. The lectures and practicals of the third semester starts immediately. The same for the first semester usually commences immediately after admissions. The admission process is as per the criteria laid down by the University, through written admission test.
3.1 Eligibility:
The candidate with B.Sc. degree in the subject concerned with at least II class is eligible for admission to M.Sc. course of that particular subject. Students, who have cleared B.Sc. with the subject as the second subject in S.Y. B.Sc. will also be considered for admission, provided the seats are available. A total of 15 seats are available in each subject out of which five seats are on Self-Financed basis. Students will be admitted as per the reservation policy in effect from time to time, as directed by the University.
Candidates applying for admission should attach certified true copies of their B.Sc. examination mark sheets and passing certificate. In case of Saurashtra University’s students, the candidates have to submit Transfer Certificate (TC) from the college last attended by them. Candidates coming from Universities other than Saurashtra University, have to submit Eligibility Certificate, immediately on obtaining admission, followed by submission of Transfer/ Migration Certificate.
The M.Sc. courses run by this Department are full time studies and as such, a student admitted to the Department cannot join any other courses or study or take up any paid service.
Limited number of seats in the University Hostel is available to the students admitted to the Department. Desirous students will have to apply in prescribed form available from the Rector of the Hostels. Some scholarships and freeships are awarded to the students as per the University Rules.
Last date for receiving the application forms and the date and time of Admission Interview are shown in the application form. THE CANDIDATE SHOULD BRING ALL ORIGINAL MARK SHEETS, CERTIFICATES ETC. AT THE TIME OF THE INTERVIEW.
3.2 Fee Schedules : As per University rules as applicable from time to time in both Grant-in-Aid and Self-Finance Schemes
Self-Finance Fees does not include Examination Fees. The fees are to be paid in the Department Office on the day of admission and is subject to change by the University from time to time
3.3 Registration : Students admitted to the first semester in each of the streams will have to get registration as post-graduate students of this University. No transfer will be given to any student once registered for a particular stream.
Syllabus:
Download M.Sc (Botany) (BioScience) (w.e.f. 2016-17)
Program Duration: 2 Years