School of Life Sciences

The School of Life Sciences comprises of four Departments and two Centres offering diversified courses at Post Graduate (M.Sc.) level and research in interdisciplinary frontier areas leading to M.Phil. and Ph.D. degrees.

The School is developing into a dynamic Centre for research through interactions with other Schools of the University and collaboration with other institutions in Pondicherry in different areas of biological sciences with applications in Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Biotechnology, Marine Biology, Ocean Studies, Pollution Control, Bioinformatics, Ecology and Environmental Sciences.

Departments/Centres coming under the school:
1. Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
2. Department of Biotechnology
3. Department of Ecology and Environmental Sciences
4. Department of Ocean Studies and Marine Biology
5. Centre for Bioinformatics


Prof. S.Jayachandran , Dean

1. Department of Biochemistry &  Molecular Biology

The Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology offers M.Sc., and Ph.D. programmes in Biochemistry & Molecular Biology (BMB). The Department has an excellent complement of teaching faculties.

The Department is recognized for special funding under DST-FIST programme and has also attracted extramural funding worth several lakhs. The Departmental faculty has established research collaborations with foreign investigators.

Research activities focus on Reproductive Biology, Plant Physiology & Biotechnology, Thermophilic Enzymes, Phytoregulator-animal Cell Interaction, Systematic & Developmental Anatomy and Biopesticies. Besides the centralized facilities, the Department has excellent sophisticated and modern equipments for wet-lab training, viz., UV-Vis Spectrophotometers, Ultracentrifuge, High Speed Refrigerated Centrifuges, Microfuges, Ultrasonicator, PCR Machine, Temperature controlled plant growth chamber, CO2 Incubators, Geldoc apparatus, Elisa reader and Ultrapure water purifier.

The Department admits students based on performance in the national entrance examination. Several of our students have found entry into MS and Ph.D. programmes in the USA and Europe. This Department offers a congenial environment for training and individual growth.

Programmes of Study
M.Sc. Biochemistry & Molecular Biology (BMB)
Ph.D. Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
(Full-Time)

UGC/CSIR- NET qualified students are admitted to Ph.D. programme. Students are also selected for Ph.D. programme if they are selected as Fellows in research projects.

Entrance examination
Selection of students for M.Sc. is based on entrance examination conducted at various centers in the country. The test consists of multiple choice questions in Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Zoology, Botany, Chemistry, Biophysics, Microbiology, Genetics, Physiology and allied areas.

Infrastructure facilities
The department has necessary infrastructural facilities to carry out teaching and research in modern areas of biology. Besides separate teaching labs for M.Sc, each member of the faculty has laboratories for research in his/her specialized areas. The research equipments include: High speed refrigerated centrifuge, Deep freezer (-800C), Spectrophotometers, CO2 Incubators, Microfuges, Liquid scintillation counter, Gamma counter, Phytotron, Nitrogen analyser, Elisa reader, Phase contrast microscope, Metabolic shaker incubators, Laminar flow chambers, Sonifier, Fraction collectors and Gel electrophoresis systems.


For more details refer Admissions
Dr. K JEEVARATNAM,HEAD
 For contacting on Phone numbers dial to 2654421 – Office number 2654417

Faculty Qualification Specialization/Interest Phone
Professor
* P.P. Mathur Ph.D (Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi) Biochemistry of Reproduction, Molecular Biology, Environmental Endocrinology, Bioinformatics. 419,417
Professor. & Head
 *Dr K Jeevaratnam Ph.D (Indian Institute of Science
,Bangalore)
Biochemical Pharmacology & technology, Nutrition Biochemistry and Microbial Biotechnology 421,417
Readers
* B. Kannabiran Ph.D (Madras University, Madras) Pharmacognosy, Systematic anatomy, Developmental Biology, Biopesticides. 420,417
*Dr.K.Srikumar Ph.D (Hyderabad University, Hyderabad) Biochemistry and Biotechnology, Enzymology and Cytokine biology. 422,417
 Lecturer      
*Dr.Y.Suresh (Upto Apr 2007) Ph.D. (Osmania University, Hyderabad) Molecular Endocrinology, Reproductive immunology,  toxicology and cancer biology 537,417

* Recognised as Supervisor for guiding scholars leading to MPhil and Ph.D.

Back to Top


2. Department of Bio-technology

Since its inception in the year 1992 the Department of Biotech­nology is offering M.Sc. and Ph.D. programmes in Biotechnology. The students admitted to M.Sc. Biotechnology programme are those selected in the combined entrance examination conducted by Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi on an all India basis. The Department of Biotechnology, Govt. of India has given an additional grant to strengthen the M.Sc. Biotechnology teaching programme. To augment the infrastructure facility and to develop a vibrant research group, the members of the faculty have attracted extramural funding from both national (UGC,DBT,DST, CSIR, AICTE and BRNS) and interna­tional (Rockefeller Foundation and Danish Government) funding agencies. The publications attest the quality research work carried out in the Department.

Programmes of study
M.Sc. Biotechnology
Ph.D. Biotechnology
(Full-time)
The Department offers a full-time Ph.D. programme. Students who have qualified in the CSIR/UGC-NET examination alone are admitted for Ph.D. full-time programme. However, students can join the Ph.D. programme if they are selected as Junior Research Fellows in any of the research projects awarded to the faculty.
 

Entrance Examination
Ten students are admitted based on merit in the all India entrance examination conducted by Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi. Additionally, 2 top ranking students from among those who appear in the entrance examination who are also natives of U.T of Pondicherry are also admitted to M.Sc Biotechnology programme. All the students admitted to M.Sc. Biotechnology programme are offered fellowship @ Rs.800/- p.m.

Infrastructure facilities
The Department has well-equipped, spacious laboratories with all modern facilities such as cold room, dark room, photo-documentation facility and animal house. The Department also has sophisticated equipments such as high speed refrigerated centrifuges, UV spectrophotometers, UV transilluminator, bioreactor system, Gel apparatus, Gel documentation system, PCR, HPLC, GC, Vaccum concentrator, Lyophilizer and Phase contrast and inverted microscopes.

For more details refer Admissions
Dr. S. Jayachandran , Dean & Head
For contacting on intercom numbers dial 2655991 to 2655998 and the number

Faculty Qualification Specialization/Interest Phone
Professor & Dean      
* S. Jayachandran Ph.D, (Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar) Microbiology, Genetic Engineering 427,428
Reader      
* N. Sakthivel Ph.D, (University of Madras, Madras) Plant Biotecholgy, Molecular Plant Pathology. 430,427
Lecturer(Senior Scale)      
* V. Arul Ph.D, (Maduarai Kamaraj University, Madurai) Aqua culture, Marine Bio-technology. 429,427
* Lata Shukla Ph.D, (Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi) Plant Biotechnology, Free Rdaical Research 473
Guest Faculty 2 Nos.    

* Recognised as Supervisor for guiding scholars leading to M.Phil and Ph.D.

Back to Top


3. Department of Ecology and Environmental sciences

 The major objective of this Department has been to provide interdisciplinary high quality education to students in order to deepen their understanding of contemporary ecological and environmental problems. The faculty have received international national research awards and medals. Some have also been elected to the fellowship of National Academics and Professional Societies and are on the editonal boards of national & international journals.

Programmes of study
M.Sc. Ecology and Environmental Sciences
M.Phil. Environmental Technology
[Full-time]
Ph.D. Ecology and Environmental Sciences
(Full time, Part-time: internal and external)
Ph.D. Environmental Technology
(Full time, Part-time: internal and external)

Entrance Examination

Selection of students for M.Sc. M.Phil. and Ph.D. is based on entrance examination. The question paper will consists of objective type questions of multiple choice.

For more details refer Admissions
Dr. Anisa B. Khan, Head
For contacting on intercom numbers dial 2655991 to 2655998 and the number

Faculty Qualification Area of Specialization/Interest Phone
Professor
* S.A.Abbasi Ph.D. (IIT,Mumbai),D.Sc. (Cochin University of Science & Technology), FNASc., FIIChE, FIE. Environmental Engineering  
* Priya Davidar Ph.D (Bombay University, Bombay) Conservation Biology, Plant Animal Interactions, Behavioural Ecology, Field Ornithology. 322,320
* Anisa B.A. Khan
 
Ph.D. (Andhra University, Vishakapatnam) Environmental pidemiology - Vermi Technology, Resource re-cycling Management, Marine Ecology. 324,320
* M. Vikram Reddy Ph.D (North Eastern Hills University, Shillong) Applied Soil Ecology; Soil Faunal Biodiversity; Pesticide Effects; Water Pollution; Wildlife Ecology; Ecotechnology and Environmental Biotechnology.
Readers
* K.V. Devi Prasad Ph.D, (Purdue University, USA) Bio-Physics;Theoretical Studies; Environmental Law & Policy. 323,320
* G. Poyyamoli Ph.D. (Madurai Kamaraj University, Madurai) Human Ecology, Sustainable Management of Natural Resources and Ecosystems, Eco-Tourism and Agro-Ecology. 325,320
* N. Parthasarathy Ph.D (University of Madras, Madras) Biodiversity & Conservation Forest Ecology, Diversity and Ecology of lianas, fungi & lichens, Functional Ecology of forest Plant Community. 326,320
D. Ramamoorthy Ph.D. (Annamalai University, Annamalai Nagar) Principles of Ecology and Environmental Sciences, Agriculture and Environment, Agro-Ecosystems and Weed Ecology & Ecology of Horticultural Crops. 327,320
Lecturer
(Selection Grade)
S.S. Sundaravel (Selection Grade) M.A., P.G.Diploma in Planning Environmental Impact Assessment, Land Ecology, Global Change. 328,320
Guest Faculty 2 Nos.

Back to Top


4. Department of Ocean Studies & Marine  Biology

Please click here

5. Bio-informatics centre/DIC

Please click here
Back to Top



* Recognised as Supervisor for guiding scholars leading to M.Phil and Ph.D.