BRIEF HISTORY

The Academic functioning of the department of Zoology was started in July 1964 to teach zoology in the two batches of Pre-degree with Second group. When the college was upgraded as a degree college in 1967, B. Sc. Zoology with Botany & Chemistry as Subsidiaries was also started.

TEACHING FACULTY

Former Faculty of the Department.

Present members of the faculty

1. Mrs,.Saramma.M.Mathew,M. Sc,M. Phil, B. Ed. (Lecturer, Senior Scale and HOD)
2. Dr. V. Jagannath,M.Sc,Ph.D (Lecturer,Senior scale)
3. Dr. A.U. Arun,M.Sc.,L.LB.,P.G.D.C.A.,D.H.M.,Ph.D (Lecturer, Senior Lecturer)
4. Dr. Susha T.K, M.Sc., B.Ed., Ph.D.(Lecturer)

PROGRAMMES OFFERED

Courses:
B.Sc Zoology main with Botany and chemistry as subsidiaries

Eligibility :
Plus two with Biology as a paper

Student Strength :
B.Sc Zoology - 40 Seats

Learning Resources :
Department is provided with one computer, OHP with screen, a well equipped laboratory with several microscopes including oil immersion, a departmental library with 80 books; a subscribed journal and annually published manuscript by the students; a museum with more than 1000 specimens belonging to different phyla which include some of the rare specimens; a human skeleton and skeleton of many other animals; many models, slides, charts, B.P apparatus etc.; 9 well arranged and managed Aquarium, cared by the 3rd year students itself which will also become a training for them in rearing ornamental fishes.

Academic facilities :
The department has secured books, journals, computer, microscopes and other equipments, started annual manuscript and aquarium arranged with Aerater and filter.
Paper cuttings of relevance are displayed in the class room notice boards. Various learner centred methods-seminars assignments, projects, aquarium management, annual manuscript publishing, field trip, research institute visit etc. are used for facilitating learning. To get in touch with the latest developments in zoology, 8 seminars and 2 poster display, an awareness programme on dengue fever, animal science congress in collaboration with the zoological society of Kerala are organized as part of the activities of the zoology association. Students used to attend seminars in other colleges.

Collaborations:
In collaboration with Zoological Society of Kerala, the Zoology Association conducted Animal Science Congress in 2001 for all the colleges under M.G. University and 2 students conducted survey on Biodiversity of spiders and butterflies. Zoology Department has collaboration with Rajasthan University.

ACADEMIC ACTIVITIES

Special Achievements :

Extension Programmes :

Students of the Department are actively participating in the extension programmes of the college including N.S.S and N.C.C. One of our students a senior under officer in the N.C.C. participated in the Republic day parade at Delhi in 2005 representing Kerala Lakshadeep N.C.C. directorate. Saramma .M. Mathew is the director board member of the staff Co-operative society of the college. Dr. Jaganadh .V. is serving as Guru on Vijayadashami festival at Sree Ambikapuram Temple, Changanassery. Department conducted an awareness programme on dengue fever in ward IV & V of the Poothrikka Panchayath on July 2003.

Published Papers :

1. Jagannadh V. and V.S.K.Nair (1992). Azadirachtin-induced effects on Larval-pupal transformation of Scodoptera mauritia.J. of Physiological Entomonolgy. Vol.17 pp 56-61.
2. Jagannadh V. and V.S.K.Nair (1993).Effects of Azadirachtin and Juvanile hormone analogue on neck-ligated post-feeding larvae of Scodoptera mauritia Boisd. Indian Journal of Experimental biology.Vol.31, pp 199-200.
3. Jagannadh V. and V.S.K.Nair (1996). Effects of Azadirachtin on food consumption and utilization in Scodoptera mauritia Boisd (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae). Journal of Entomological Research Vol.20. pp 7 - 11.
4. Jagannadh V. and V.S.K.Nair (1996). Azadirachtin : Its effets on eggs and postembryonic development in Scodoptera mauritia Boisd (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae). Uttar Pardesh Journal of Zoology. Vol.16(2), pp 109-113).
5. Jagannadh V. and V.S.K.Nair (1997). Food consumption and utilization by diflubenzuron treated larvae of Scodoptera mauritia Boisd (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae). Vol.5(1) pp 40-43.
6. Jagannadh V. and V.S.K.Nair (1997). Moulting and morphogenetic aberrations induced by diflubenzuron in Scodoptera mauritia. B.63, No.4 pp.281-288.
7. Jagannadh V. and V.S.K.Nair (1998). Effects of Azadirachtin on ovarian development and fecundity in Scodoptera mauritia. Proceeding of Indian national Science Academy part B.Biological Scienes). B.64 No.5 pp 437-446.
8. Arun .A.U., Minimol K.G and K.J.Joseph 1998. Productivity Characteristics of fish pond and pokkali field (Journal of Fishery Technology of India, 1998).
9. Arun .A.U., Minimol K.G and K.J.Joseph 2000.Hydrographic parameters and productivity in pokkili field (Symposium of Asian Fisheries Society, 2000).
10. Arun.A.U.,2006. Impact of artificial structures on biodiversity of estuaries: A case study from Cochin estuary with emphasis on clam beds. Journal of Applied ecology and Environmental Research.
11. Arun .A.U., 2005. Systematics and fishery of Villorita sp. in Cochin Estuary with an impact assessment of Thannemukkom bund. Communicated to Indian Journal of Fishery.
12. Arun .A.U., 2005. Gametogenic Cyclic in Villorita cyprinoides and the influence of salinity . Communicated to Journal of Shell fish research.
13. Arun .A.U., 2005. Physiological and Biochemical assessment of Coir colouring Industrial effluent (Rodamine - B) in Villorita cyprinoides. Communicated to Journal of Applied ecology and Environmental Research.
14. Arun .A.U.,Seasonal variation in biochemical composition of Black clam ( Villorita cyrpinoides) in Cochin Estuary. Communicated to Journal of Mollusca.
15. Arun .A.U., 2005. Allometry and growth of Blam Clam ( Villorita cyprinoides) in Cochin Estuary with a special emphasis on the impact of Thanneermukkom bund. Communicated to Journal of Mollusca.
16. Arun .A.U.,2005.Differential growth of Black clam ( Villorita cyprinoides) with respect to Salinity and Sediment texture. Communicated to Indian Journal of Marine Sciences.
17. Arun .A.U., 2007.Weight and size specific Filtration rate and oxygen consumption in Villorita Cyprinoides. Eco-Chronicle.Vol.2. No.2., 97-100.
18. Arun .A.U., Suja Devan., Honey,U.K.Pillai, Shiju,C.K. and Laluraj.A preliminary study on zooplanktons from the coastal waters of Andaman during winter monsoon. Abstract submitted to the seminar decided to conduct during the end of this year.
19. Arun A.U., Shiju,C.K., Suja Devan.,Honey U.K.Pillai, Prabhakaran,M.P., Laluraj, Anilkumar and Nair,K.K.C. A brief account on chlorophyll a, Phytoplankton composition and related hydrographic parameters in Coastal Andaman waters. Abstract submitted to the seminar decided to conduct during the end of this year.

Books Published

Dr.A.U.Arun Published a text book titiled ' Bioinformatics and Biostatistics' for B.Sc zoology Students under M.G. University- published by Zoological Society of Kera;la.

Department published abstract and proceedings of the UGC Sponsored Seminar.

Faculty Development Programme:

1. Teachers of the department are attending refresher and orientation courses regularly and also participating in seminars and workshops conducted at the state and national levels.
2. Saramma .M. Mathew has attended 4 refresher courses 3 seminars and 2 workshops.
3. Dr. V. Jagannath has attended one orientation course, 1 refresher course 4 seminars and 3 work shops.
4. Dr.Arun.A.U. Participate in the IT Oriented 'Orientation Programme' conducted by Academic Staff College, Thiruvananthapuram.
5. Dr. Arun A.U.has attended 'Training in remote Sensing and its Application in Ocean Studies'(One month), Fresh water pearl culture in CIBA, Orissa(One Month).
6. Dr.Susha T.K., Participate in the IT Oriented 'Orientation Programme' conducted by Academic Staff College, Thiruvananthapuram
7. Dr. Susha T.K. has attended one seminar.

Department conducted a 2 day UGC sponsored seminar on "Recent Trends in Mariculture" for teachers and Research Scholars on July 19th and 20th 2005.

OTHER ACTIVITIES

Extra curricular Activities :

1. Dr.Jagannadh was the teacher in charge of Quiz Club
2. Dr. Jagannadh was the teacher in charge of the Science Forum
3. Dr.A.U.Arun was the teacher in charge of the Zoology  Association.
4. Dr. A.U.Arun was an executive member of the 'Staff Club'.
5. Dr.A.U,.Arun was a member in the web site updating committee.
6. Dr.A.U.Arun was a committee member of the Petronian publication.
7. Dr.  A.U.Arun is preparing the IT oriented study materials for zoology Teachers.
8. Dr.T.K.Susha was an executive member of the Wormen's cell.
9. Dr.T.K.Susha was teacher in charge of 'Zooscript'.

UGC Programme :
A 2 day U.G.C sponsored seminar on "Recent trends in mariculture" for research scholars and teachers from different colleges and universities was organized in July 2005. Vice chancellor of Cochin University of science and Technology Prof. (Dr.) P.K. Abdul Aziz inaugurated the seminar. Eminent personalities like Dr. K. Gopakumar, Formerly Deputy director General (Fisheries) ICAR New Delhi, Dr. K. Sunilkumar Muhammed, Senior Scientist C.M.F.R.I Cochin, Dr. K.K. Vijayan, Senior Scientist, Central Institute of Brackish water aquaculture, Chennai, Dr. M.R. Boopendranath, Principal Scientist, CIFT Cochin, Dr. K.K. Chandrasekharan Nair Scientist in charge, NIO Cochin, Dr. George Nainan, Senior Scientist CIFT Cochin were the Resource persons.

Membership in academic and other bodies :

1. Member of Board of studies (undergraduate).
2. Member of zoological society of Kerala.

Dr. Jagannadh

1. Member of zoological Society of Kerala.

Dr. A.U. Arun

1. Nominated to Board ot Question paper setter's Calicut Univesity
2. Member of Forum of Marine Biologist.
3. Member Society of Fisheries Technologies of India.
4. Member Marine Biological Association of India.
5. Executive Member of Zoological Society of Kerala.

Dr .T.K. Susha

1. Member of zoological Society of Kerala.

ACTIVITIES

2006-2007

Inauguration of the Zoology Association for the year 2006-2007 was conducted on 18^th September 2006 by Dr.Babu Joseph, former Vice-Chancellor Cochin University of Science and Technology. Proceedings of the seminar ‘Recent Trends in Mariculture’ and  ‘Zooscript’ the manuscript magazine were released in the same function. In the Onam festival Students of B.Sc Zoology got second prize in the Floral Carpet competition. Department of Zoology organised a talk on Chikun Guinea by Dr. Mareena Rajan Joseph of M.O.S.C Medical College and an awareness programme in the campus to provide information about Chikun Guinea to the student community. Dr.V.Jagannadh, Dr.A.U.Arun and Dr.T.K.Susha Participated in the workshop on ‘Project Formulation and Funding’ organised by KSCSTE and KASc at SH college Thevara on 25 September  2006. A Survey on Intestinal Parasites of Goats’ in a nearby village - Onamkulam ( near Vengola) has been undertaken as a part of research project assigned to a student. The results clearly show the presence of various parasitic diseases in goats and the farmers were informed to take necessary steps to control the infection.

2007-2008

Verities of activities were organised by the association for the total development of the students.

2008-2009

 Inauguration of the Zoology Association was conducted on 23rd October 2008. Dr.Punnen Kurian Venkadath ( Director, Tropical Institute of Ecological Sciences) inaugurated the activities and delivered a talk on 'Water borne diseases in Kerala.. An ecological perspective. A poster designing and exhibition of posters were arranged along with the function. In collaboration with Zoological Society of Kerala  the Association conducted the final the final round of the prestigious programme' Animal Science Aptitude test'  on 14th January 2009. As a part of 'Darwin Bicentenary Celebration the association conducted programme on 12th February, Dr. Babu Joseph, Former Vice-Chancellor of Cochin University of Science and Technology inaugurated the function and delivered key note address.