The Department of Zoology has the distinction of catering to the academic needs of graduates, postgraduates and research students. The degree course was started in the year 1963, and upgraded to the postgraduate status in the year 1986. Two years later, in the year 1988, M.Phil. Degree course was introduced. In the year 1997, Ph.D. research programme also commenced with the recognition of the Zoology Research Centre by Manonmaniam Sundaranar University, Tirunelveli. The department is equipped to provide optimal solutions to student’s delight by adopting newer technologies.

The department is furnished with a good range of research journals, academic textbooks and sophisticated laboratory equipments. They are utilized for the regular and research activities by the students as well as the faculty members. There are 11faculty members working, among which 10 are doctorate holders and one is about to submit her PhD thesis.Our faculty members are specialized on Endocrinology, Animal Behaviour, Ornithology, Bat Research, Sericulture, Microbiology etc. The faculty members continuously engage themselves not only in academic achievement of students but also in research activities and publish their findings in reputed journals of national and international status. Generally, seminar and conference conducted by our department focuses on themes such as environmental awareness, biodiversity conservation and recent advance techniques in biology. The department has conducted UGC sponsored seminar and conference.

Separate and adequate laboratories are available for B.Sc., M.Sc., M.Phil and Research programmes. Provisions are available to carryout practical related to Molecular Biology, Microbiology, Immunology, Endocrinology and Biochemistry. A well-furnished research laboratory is available in working condition for Sericulture and animal based research.In addition to the wet lab, Biochemistry lab, Biotechnology lab and Instrumentation room helps to create a beneficial environment for research as well as advanced learning.

Our Department is added with a smart class room for the utility of the UG, PG, M.Phil. and PhD Research scholars. It can accommodate 40 students and is provided with a LCD projector, Public Audio system, Broad band net connection etc.

Smart Class Room

Our Department is added with a smart class room for the utility for the UG, PG, M.Phil,and Ph.D., Research scholars. It can accommodate 40 students and provided with LCD projector,Public Audio system, Broad band net connection etc.

Animal House

An animal house has been constructed, specially, to rear bats in semi-naturalistic condition in the Zoology Research Centre. The Bat rearing chamber is one of the state-of-the-art facilities available in Asian countries. This is used to study and know the minimum requirements for keeping tropical fruit bats in captivity. This will help us to maintain and care the orphan bats or injured bats and to get scientific information on growth studies, energetics, physiological or behavioural evaluation. The bat rearing chamber is an octagonal chamber fitted with glass cubicle to facilitate observation without disturbing the bats. The glass cubicle is fitted in a manner that each and every corner of the chamber can be seen clearly, which helps to observe the natural activities of bats. Many research studies have been carried out using this animal house and major projects are completed using this facility. More than 15 M.Phil.projects were accomplished and 5 Ph.D. Programmes were completed using this rearing chamber alone.

The bat rearing chamber is an octagonal chamber fitted with glass cubicle to facilitate observation without disturbing the bats. The glass cubicle was fitted in a manner that each and every corner of the chamber could be seen clearly, which helped to observe the natural activities of bats. Wooden poles fitted with aluminium wires were provided on the roof of the chamber to facilitate roosting of bats. The floor of the chamber was covered with sand for easy removal of the bolus and guano that may fall on the floor. Since sunlight diffused into the chamber through glass windows during daytime, the animals were subjected to natural day and night cycle during the rearing period. Many research studies have been carried out using this animal house and major projects were completed using this facility. More than 15 M.Phil. Projects were accomplished and 5 Ph.D. Programmes were completed using this rearing chamber alone.

Integrated Farm

In the years 2016-17, the surrounding areas of the Animal house have been upgraded as “Integrated Farm” to rear various economically important animals. The activities include Vermiculture, Ornamental fish culture, Apiculture and Poultry farm.

Sericulture Research Centre

The sericulture laboratory was constructed with the objective of utilizing the financial assistance received from U.G.C. for “Vocational Sericulture Course” between the years 1997 and 2002. The centre has enough infra-structure to rear many laying at a time and is also designed to grow bivoltine races too. The lab is also suitable for egg production. The centre has produced 2 Ph.D and more than 25 M.Phil scholars. Most of the research work are concentrated on evolving region specific varieties – both silkworm races as well as mulberry variety.

Molecular Biology Laboratory

A state-of-the art facility provided Molecular Biology Laboratory with necessary equipments which have enabled to carryout various genetic DNA studies in our campus. This is an air conditioned lab with provided with PCR Thermocycler, Electrophoretic unit, Deep freezer (-20oC), Laminar flow hood, Gel Doc, Micro oven and Microbial Colony counter etc.

Ethical standard of the department

Animal based research is carried out by our department faculty members after getting ethical clearance from the ethical committee framed by university.

MOU with other institutions

Recently, the department made an MOU with the Centre for Research in Medical Entomology (CRME), Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) under the Department of Health Research, the Ministry of Health and Family welfare, located at Madurai. The CRME is a premier National level research institute functioning as a vital resource centre with its multi-faceted research activities on various levels encompassing various dimensions of vector borne diseases, co-coordinating training programmes across the country.

Other activities

As a regular practice, various programmes such as Students’ association meetings, seminars, workshops, study tours, cultural activities, lab visits, farm visits, field visits, village adoption etc are conducted to gain practical knowledge, to inculcate in the minds of students scientific interest and at the same time to expose their hidden talents.

• Smart Class Room
• Department Library
• Full Equipped Research Lab
• Animal House

UNDER CONSTRUCTION