DEPARTMENT OF BIOLOGY

VISION
Women’s Empowerment through Scientific Education.

OBJECTIVES
To ensure quality education offering skill based program.
To render entrepreneurial training to make students employable.
To give ultimate insight into the correlation of various branches of biology that has overwhelming applications.
To facilitate Higher education & research (for the advanced learners).

Biology Department – An Overview
The academic clock of the Department of Zoology started from the academic year 1953. Since 1980 onwards the department has been engaged in research.
A Diploma course in Medical Laboratory Technology was started in August 2001.
An interesting invigorating Certificate course in “Beauty Culture and Herbal Cosmetics” was also inaugurated, 2001. .
Certificate in Tissue culture techniques 2006

Programs offered

B.Sc (ZOOLOGY) since 1957

RESTRUCTURED COURSE CONTENT
As per the recommendations of Experts, Alumnae, peer group and members of board of studies
Semester I :Invertebrata
Semester II :Chordata
Semester III :Human Physiology Human Development
Semester IV :Cell and Molecular Biology Biotechnology Internship

V Semester
Major Core:Human Genetics
Biophysics and Instrumentation
Evolution
Elective:Ecology & Biostatistics/ Sericulture /Public Health

VI Semester
Major Core:Biochemistry
Immunology
Special Core:Microbiology / Clinical Laboratory
Techniques/ Medical Entomology
Skill based:Bioinformatics/Apiculture/Aquaculture

The recently evolved specialization and application oriented subjects are included
eg: Bioinfomatics
Biotechnology
Microbial Genetics
Ethnic Botany Herbal medicines
Biochemistry
Human development and Genetics

The curriculum bears thrust on National development by offering Programmes -towards women empowerment are included like
Sericulture, Vermiculture, Ornamental fish culture
Certificate courses in Beauty culture and Herbal cosmetics.
Towards research and higher education in field of Bioinfomatics, Biotechnology, Microbial Genetics
Introduction of Value added courses like
Beautician course, Preparation of Biofertilizers and Alternative therapy.

Career Training is offered with Internship in Sericulture, Vermicompost,

Ornamental fish culture and Preparation of Herbal Medicine.

The course was revised to make the course content paramedical oriented & Employable (for the betterment of slow learners); and to facilitate the students for higher education & research (for the advanced learners).
List the subjects which facilitate
a) Higher education
Human Genetics, Biochemistry, Biophysics & Instrumentation, Microbiology, Bioinformatics, Biotechnology, Immunology
b) EmployabilityAquaculture, Sericulture, Clinical laboratory technique, Apiculture, Bioinformatics, Beauty culture & Herbal cosmetics and Biotechnology (certificate course)
Our courses focuses on experimental learning including Practical 90% and Work experience 60%.

TEACHING, LEARNING AND EVALUATION
Remedial classes - For the Slow learners.
Student-centered learning process
Usage of Bio-visual charts, OHPs and educational LCDs
Screening documentary films

Existing Infrastructure:
Two Spacious Labs (100 X 60 ft)
3 Biology Lecture Halls (35 X 29.5 ft.)
1 Museum cum Department Library and Reading Hall
Plant Tissue Culture Chamber (11.25 x 10 x8 ft.)
Biochemistry Lab Common to Home Science Department : 35 X 30 sq.ft.
Extension Project area- Millicompost & Vermicompost Room (42 x30)
Major equipments : Atomic absorption Spectroscopy, HPLC, Gas Chromatography, Deep Freezer -20o C, Double Distillation Unit, Autoclave
Minor Equipments : pH Meter, Electronic Balances, Microwave oven, Incubator, Hot air Oven, Hot Plate, Chromatographic Chamber, Heating Mantle,SACS PLUS, FIBRA PLUS, KELPLUS with digester
Library networking (DELNET) – A network of consortium among the colleges of Madurai.

Two spacious Labs (100 ft x 60 ft ) – ZOOLOGY LAB
 

TISSUE CULTURE LAB WITH LAMINAR AIR FLOW
 

SOME OF THE AVAILABLE MAJOR EQUIPMENTS - Other than Microscopes and other regular instruments – are
Laminar Air Flow
Colorimeter ,Centrifuge
Incubator, Refrigerator
Hot Air Oven
Chromatography Cabinet
Constant Temperature Water bath
Analytical Electronic Balance
 

CONSTANT TEMPERATURE
WATER BATH COLORIMETER INCUBATOR

Books:
The Department already has an excellent collection of books on the subject in its library.

Faculty Profile:
NAME OF THE STAFF- the dept has 3 Doctoral degree holders and 3 staff with M.Phil

Department of Zoology:
1.Dr (Mrs.). Rita Elizabeth Roy -M.Sc. ,M.Phil. ,PhD.(HOD)
2.Mrs. A. Tamil Selvi - M.Sc. (SLET Qualified)
3.Dr (.Miss). Antony Amala Jayaseeli- M.Sc.,B.Ed.PhD.
4.Dr.N.Malathi- M.Sc.,Phd.
5.Mrs.T. Jothimani- M.sc.M.Phil.,B.Ed.,(PhD)

Department of Botany:
Mrs. Rani- M.Sc., M.Phil.

Specialization of our Faculty:
 

S.No.	Name of the Faculty	Qualification	Area of Specialization	Thrust Area
1.	Dr.Mrs. Maria Anthoniammal	Ph.D	Biotechnology & Microbiology	Extensive studies on Bacillus thuringiensis and Mass production of Biopesticides & Biofertilizers
2.	Dr.Mrs. Rita Roy	Ph.D	Immunology, Biophysics & Instrumentation.	Medical Entomology, Pursuing studies on Microbial genetics
3.	Mrs. Rani	M.Phil.	Microbiology, Herbal medicine & Plant tissue culture	Studies on Alkaloids in ethnic medicinal plants
4.	Mrs. Tamilselvi	M.Sc. , SLET	Microbiology, Biotechnology, Biochemistry & Bioinformatics	Biofertilizers
5.	Dr.Miss. Antony Amala Jayaseeli	Ph.D	Bioinformatics, Microbiology, Biotechnology, Cell Biology& Biochemistry	Marine Biology & Bioactive compounds
6.	Dr. Mrs. Malathi	PhD	Plant Biotechnology,	Tissue Culture & Plant Biotechnology
7.	Mrs. T.Jothimani	M.Phil. (PhD)	Bioinformatics Environmental Biotechnology,	Environmental Biotechnology

Staff Participation in National/International Seminar:
1.Mrs. Tamil Selvi participated a 2days seminar on ‘Bioinformatics and Computational Biology’ on 29th and 30th September 2006 organized by Thiagarajar college of Engineering, Madurai.
2.Dr. Mrs. Rita Roy and Mrs. G. Rani, participated in NAAC sponsored National Seminar on Sustaining Quality of Education through Effective Teaching and Learning Practices organized by Sri Sarada College for Women, Salem on 2nd & 3rd of March, 2007.
3.Dr. Ms. Antony Amala Jayaseeli, Participated in one day National Seminar on “Global Warming& Coastal ecosystem”, organized by Suganthi Devadason Marine Research Institute, Tuticorin in collaboration with World Conservation Union (IUCN) and Coastal Ocean Research and Development in the Indian Ocean (CORDIO) on 8th June 2007.
4.Dr. Mrs. N. Malathi participated a 5 days workshop on” Multimedia & E- content development” organized by Lady Doak College, Madurai and UGC- CEC New Delhi from 18th June to 22nd June, 2007.

Serving as a Resource person in Inter Departmental Seminar:
1.Dr. Mrs. Rita Roy gave a guest lecture on “Immunity and Lymphatics” to the students of Home Science Department on 12th Feb 2007
2.Dr. Mrs. N. Malathi gave a guest lecture on “Cloning vectors” to the students of Home Science Department on 27th September 2007.
3.Dr. Mrs. N. Malathi gave a lecture on “Multimedia and E- content development” in the seminar organized by Fatima College, Madurai on
22nd September 2007.

Publications:
Dr. Mrs. Rita Roy published a paper entitled “Study of Mosquito species from rural and urban areas of Madurai city”, Insect environment, Vol-12: No.2 (2006).
Dr. Mrs. Rita Roy - Temporal variation in the Biting rhythm of culex spp. in the peripheral region of Madurai-Tamil Nadu (in press) (Insect environment).
Dr. Mrs. Rita Roy - Comparative study of density of Mosquito species of Monsoon in Rural and Urban areas of Madurai, Tamil Nadu (Insect environment) (in press)

RESEARCH, CONSULTANCY, EXTENTION ACTIVITIES
 

S.No	Name of the Staff	Degree	Title of the thesis:	Year
1.	Dr.Mrs. Maria Anthoniammal	PhD	Comparative studies on the Ecology of chosen Diplopods occurring in Madurai and Palani Hills	April, 2003
2.	Dr. Mrs. Rita Elizabeth Roy	PhD	Bio Ecology of Mosquitoes in the sub-urban areas of peripheral regions of Madurai	December, 2001
3.	Dr.Ms.Antony Amala jayaseeli	PhD	A Study on some aspects of Biology of Scallops of Gulf of Mannar, Southeast Coast of India	2005
4.	Dr. Mrs. N. .Malathi	PhD	Genetic diversity and Population differentiation in Casuarina equisetifolia clones	2004

Seminar/Workshop organized by the department:
A workshop on “Environmental Law” was jointly organized by the Dept of Zoology and CPR Environmental Education Centre, Chennai and Oscar Foundation and Research Centre, Chennai, on 13th February 2003.
 

The Zoology Association of Fatima College had conducted an Inter College competition and State Level Workshop on 7th and 8th October,2004 and an exhibition (“Wild about Wild Life”), at the college premises in connection with the wild Wildlife Week Celebration.
 

An A National level Seminar on Socio-Economic Impact of Biotechnology on Developing Countries was organized by the Department of Zoology, Fatima College (Autonomous) on 22nd and 23rd of February 2005.

Interdepartmental workshop was organized by the department of Zoology in connection with the world wild life week celebration. Guest lectures & interdepartmental competitions like elocution, painting and poster making were organized on 5th October’07,
Dr. (Mrs.). Aruna Devaraj, Renowned Herpetologist, Rtd H.O.D, PG Department of Zoology, Jayaraj Annapackiam College for Women, Periakulam gave a special lecture on ‘Wild life conservation’.
 

Prof. Dr.Samuel Paul Raj , Head & Coordinator, School of Energy, Environment & Natural Resources, Madurai Kamaraj University delivered an enlightening talk on ‘Environmental conservation’.
A workshop on “HERBAL MEDICINE”was conducted. Mrs. Vijayalakshmi, Lotus Herbal Products and Dr. Jeyavekatasan organised a demo-cum-sale of herbal medicines on 12.12.2007.

Minor Research project:
1.Dr. D. Maria Anthoniammal, Department of Zoology, received Rs.22,500/- as second installment for the Minor Research Project on Mass production of Bacillus thuringiensis Enrich Millipede Egesion as Bio-pesticide against Local Tests of Heliothis Species in December 2006.
 

2. Mrs. G. Rani, Department of Botany, received Rs.22,500/- as second installment for the Minor Research project on Evaluation of three chosen Herbal Derivatives as Complementary Therapy in the management of Diabetes, Acidity & cholesterol in December, 2006.

STUDENT PROJECT
Group projects were given to the students on topics like Milliculture and analyzing the effect of and Milli compost-As Biopesticides and iofertilizers.
Panchakavya ( an organic manure, made from the products of cow ) -studying its efficacy on the growth, biosynthesis of photosynthetic pigments and nutrient content in plants.

Vermi composting - Analyzing the effect of Vermicompost as a Bio-fertilizer on the growth of plants like Dhaincha.Ornamental fish culture
Medical entomology- Studying the biodiversity, density, spatial distribution, seasonal occurrence of mosquitoes in selected sites of urban and rural areas of Madurai.
 

Special lectures organized:
Mr. Gurusamy, Director, Prem Clinical laboratory addressed the final B.Sc students for demonstrating & conducting Practicals in Microbiology on 31.08.07 & 3.09.07.

Extension Activity:

LAB TO LAND
Department of Zoology and WEAT organized LAB TO LAND extension project on Vermicomposting technology for 80 farmers.

CART(Creating Awareness on Routes of Transmission)
The Department in September 1999 started CART – Creating Awareness for Routes of Transmission for school children as an extension program.
The faculty of the department had appointment on 13.07.2007 with the Headmistress Mrs. J. Georgina, Corporation Primary School, Thathaneri, Madurai and decided to adopt Standard III comprising of 125 children as suggested by the Headmistress.
 

The programme is scheduled to have on all Thursdays between 2.00 and 4.00 pm inside the above mentioned school premises by a team of final year students accompanied by any one of our staff members in turns.
The objectives of the programme is to enlighten the school children with the knowledge on the following areas,
Routes of transmission of diseases
Personal hygiene
Health and Nutrition and other healthy practices
Physical exercises
Environmental awareness

This on-going programme for the year 2007-2008 had a good start on 19.07.2007 to inculcate the above objectives among the kids of corporation primary school Thathaneri, Madurai.To motivate and encourage the children to achieve the objectives, we offer them with some writing materials and nutritious eatables. This programme is going on as scheduled till date.

Zoology Association & Club Activities:
On 20th February 2002, an exhibition – cum – sale of medicinal plants and medicines was organized. Consultation with Siddha and Ayurveda doctors was organized on 27th March March,2002..
“CUTE” Seminar (Counseling for Uplift Through Employment) was conducted for the final year students from five different majors.

CUTE 2K3 was conducted on 11. 03. 2003.
 

The Zoology Association of Fatima College had conducted an Inter College competition and State Level Workshop on 7th and 8th October,2004 and an exhibition (“Wild about Wild Life”), at the college premises in connection with the World Wildlife Week Celebration

The Zoology Association (ZOA) was inaugurated on July 11th, 2007.Dr.G.Marimuthu, Head, Dept of Animal Behaviour, Madurai Kamaraj University presided over the function & gave a guest lecture on ‘Chronobiological rhythm of bats’.

MMrs. Hemalakshmi, Viceprincipal, Vadamalayan Institute Paramedical Sciences gave a guest lecture on ‘Scope & trends in Bioinformatics’ on 27th August07.

Dr. Dr.S.Sridharan, Reader, Dept of Botany & Biotechnology, Thiagarajar College of Arts & science gave a guest lecture on ‘Biotechnology & Human Welfare on 29.09 .2007.

STUDENT SUPPORT SYSTEM
Sr. Marie Pierre, Sr. Adaikala Mary, Sr. Josephine, Sr. Alice, Sr. Rosary, are our Departmental alumnae, belonging to St. Josephs of Lyons. Among our alumnae, nearly 20% as doctors, 20% as Scientists in the National and International Universities, 20% as Lecturers, 35% Employed in Schools, Banks and LIC.
1. 80% of the students pursue their higher education, including PG, MBA, MCA, PGDCA and B.Ed., etc.
2. Dropouts:1 in the year 2002 – 03, 4 in 2003 -04 and 3 in 2004 – 05.
3. Currently, 10% of our students are employed in schools

Student’s participation:
Students of the department actively participated in various activities inside and outside the college.
The following students underwent Leadership Training (2006-2007) conducted by Fatima College, Madurai .
Aarthy. K. S.–II B.Sc. Zoology
Krishna Priya – I B.Sc. Zoology
Racheme --I B.Sc. Zoology
Vaishnavi Kiruba.S.--II B.Sc. Zoology
18 students of III year and 11 students of II year (2006-2007) completed certificate course in “Tissue Culture Techniques”.
S. Jayalakshmi, P.Sumathi and N. Shyamala of I year (2006-2007) completed certificate course in “HDCA”. S.Geeth Priya of III year (2006-2007) completed certificate course in “Information Technology”.
3 students of I year and 4 students of II year completed certificate course in “Beauty culture and Herbal cosmetics”.
K.S. Aarthy attended Trekking camp in Madurai, CATC camp at Rajapalayam during of September 2006. She attended AOC attachment camp at Secunderabad during November 2006, NIC camp at Gujarat. She participated in National Youth Parliament during July 2006 and visited Delhi in the month of August 2006.
Vaishnavi Kiruba participated in Ooty Nilgris Camp from 1.05.2007 – 15.05.2007.
M.Karthika, I B.Sc. Zoology (2006-2007) bagged III prize in Essay competition on Pollution.
M. Nagalakshmi, I B.Sc. Zoology (2006-2007) participated in State level Poem writing competition.
K.S. Aarthy, II B.Sc. Zoology (2006-2007) participated in Magnus meet organized by Magnus School of Business,Chennai and bagged I prize in Fashion Parade and II prize in Group dance.
S, Vaishnavi Kiruba, II B.Sc.Zoology (2006-2007) participated in Inter University competition at Madurai Kamaraj University. She actively participated in Magnus meet and bagged I prize in Debate. She was selected for Interunit NCC Camp and represented Tamil Nadu state in Thalsainik camp 2006 in New Delhii.
K.S.Aarthy, II B.Sc. Zoology (2006-2007) was selected for 8th Youth Parliament and attended National Integration Camp at Allahabad.
P.Jothimani,I B.Sc.Zoology (2006-2007) bagged I place in Inter collegiate Hockey match and Open Hockey tournament at Dindigul.
Baby Saranya of II year (2006-2007) participated in Hockey tournament in Madurai Kamaraj University and Arulanander College. Sujitha Devi of II year (2006-2007) participated in Badminton tournament in MKU.
Indurani, II B.Sc. Zoology (2006-2007) secured I place in Volley ball tournament held in Madura College.
M.Ramya , III B.Sc Zoology (2006-2007) secured IV place in State level Volley ball tournament in Nagapatinam and I place in Intercollegiate competition in Madurai Kamaraj University.
J.Maria Sneha, J.Sumathi,E.Shobana,S.Suganya,B.Sankareswari, Ruth Angel Celia,K.Kanimozhi,S.AlimathSahthya and S. Jebakumari of II B.Sc. Zoology attended CATC camp, organized at Agriculture College,Madurai from 13th to 24th August,2007.
A.Kenwin of II B.Sc. Zoology attended AICUF camp at Gujarat from 19th to 29th May 2006, at Trichy from 6th to 8th July 2007 and at St.Mary’s College, Thoothukudi from 30th August to 1st September, 2007.
P.Rekha and E.Ananthi of I B.Sc.Zoology (2007-2008) secured II prize in Painting and Poster competition conducted by the Department of Zoology on Wild life Day celebration on 5.10.2007.
M. Biroja Banu and M.M.Roshini Begum of I year (2007-2008) attended a 15 days seminar on Human Rights from 8th - 22nd September 2007.
C.Revathy of III year (2007-2008) bagged I prize in Poster presentation organized by the Department of Zoology on Wild life Day celebration ON 5.09.2007.

Placements and Higher studies:
38 students attended Campus interview inside the college premises conducted by Google,Chennai, 8 attended HSBC,10 attended DotCom Infoways,4 attended Southerland Global Services and 38 attended Slash Support. Of all these, S.Geeth Priya and J.Saranya of III B.Sc. Zoology (2006-2007) were selected by Southerland Global Services and S. Vaishnavi Kiruba (2007-2008) was selected as Supporting Technician by Slash Support.
S.Vaishnavi Kiruba and K.S. Arthy (2007-2008) were selected by INFOSYS as Business Process Executives.

Details of some eminent Alumnae:
1. Ms. Usha M.Rafferty, Director, World wide regulatory affairs, Pfizer global research & development, Michigan laboratories, Pfizer Inc, 2800 Plymoth road, Ann Arbor, M148105. (usha.rafferty@pfizer.com)
2. Dr. Rema Devi, Assistant director, Zoological survey of India.
3. Dr. K. Sakhila banu, Onto genie et Reproduction – CRBR, CHUL, Laval University, 2705, Boul. W. Laurier, Ste-Roy, GIV4G2, Quebec, Canada.

FUTURE PLANS
CONVERSION OF B.SC ZOOLOGY AS
ADVANCED ZOOLOGY
WITH SPECIALIZATION IN BIOTECHNOLOGY
PG IN ZOOLOGY.
 
 

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