Department Of Biosciences Saurashtra University Rajkot

The Department of Biosciences was established in 1969 by Prof. S.C. Pandeya. On the recommendation of the University Grants Commission (UGC), an integrated Post Graduate Course in Biology (M. Sc. Experimental Biology, 1969-1993), first of its kind in rimental Biology, 1969-1993), first of its kind in the country, was started in this Department. The Department started with its base in Environmental Sciences and in few years it took leadership in the field of ecology under the stewardship of its founder head, late Prof S. C. Pandeya. Gradually, other areas of research such as Plant Physiology, Animal Physiology & Toxicology, Neurobiology, Ornithology, Wildlife Biology and Fisheries were also integrated into the thrust areas. Later on, keeping Integrated Biology as the theme for the first year of the course, the second year was specialized into Plant Sciences (Botany), Animal Sciences (Zoology) and Microbiology (1994-2007). With the advancement of Biology and looking at the need of its teaching for Human Resource Development, M.Sc. Programme in Biotechnology was initiated from the year 2004. Today the department is progressing with the major theme of Integrated Biology in diversified research areas. Department of Biosciences is offering degrees in Botany, Zoology, Microbiology and Biotechnology (2007 onwards). Thus, this program aimed to be a platform for Human Resource Development, in the various fields of biological sciences. The Saurashtra University was created on a rigorous demand, for a separate university out of Gujarat University (Ahmedabad), from the eminent educationists and freedom fighters of the Saurashtra region. The demand was more prominent after the creation of Gujarat state on May 1, 1961. The Saurashtra University Act was passed by the Legislative Assembly of Gujarat in the year 1965(Gujarat Act No. 39 of 1965). Saurashtra University, established on 23rd May, 1967, having two headquarters in the initial stage i.e. Rajkot and Bhavnagar. After the incorporation of the Bhavnagar University, Rajkot became the sole headquarters of the Saurashtra University. The campus of the University is spread over 363 acres of land. The present jurisdiction of the University includes Amreli, Jamnagar, Rajkot, Surendranagar, and Morbi districts. It has 29 Post Graduate Departments on its campus and 238 affiliated colleges. The University has important seats of learning spreading knowledge in the respective fields i.e. Nehru Chair, Baba Saheb Ambedkar Chair, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Chair, Swami Dayanand Saraswati Chair, Gulabdas Broker Chair, etc. The University runs a centre of learning and research in the name of Shri Zaverchand Meghani i.e. Meghani Lok Sahitya Kendra. The University in collaboration with Commissionerate of Industries, Government of Gujarat, and Department of Science and Technology, Government of India, has started National Facility for Drugs Discovery (NFDD) in the year 2009. The NFDD is a state of art centre of research and innovation. Later in the year 2014, the NFDD was transformed into Centre of Excellence (COE). COE is actively involved in generating funds from industrial consultancy. ...view more