MASTER OF SCIENCE (ZOOLOGY) - K J Somaiya College of Science and Commerce

In the first course, the learner is taught about the different animal groups with respect to their taxonomic position and evolutionary significance. Osteology deals with the study of the skeleton, its structure and function across the animal Kingdom.

Course two teaches a topic that is fundamental to zoology, irrespective of the specialization. Biomolecules are the structural and functional molecules of the cell and this course simplifies their role to the learner. Once the student understands the molecules, the course explains how these molecules send messages and signals within cells and between cells.

Course 3 Evolution, Genetics and Developmental biology.This course deals with the theories of evolution, with emphasis on horse, elephant and man. The concept of molecular evolution is also taught.The module on genetics elaborates on non mendelian interactions, maternal inheritance and gene mapping. Developmental Biology explains the process of development of an organism in great detail, how the cells differentiate, specialise, function and eventually age and die.

As laboratory skills and hands on techniques are imperative to deep understanding and research in any subject, this last course is designed to acquaint the learner with the working and principles of instruments like spectrophotometer, chromatography, electrophoresis, microtomy etc. Research Methodology further accentuates the systematic approach required to perform research to the learner.

This course introduces the learner to the basics of genome management, gene manipulation techniques,Vaccine and monoclonal antibody production,bioremediation, transgenic animals and human therapies, tissue engineering etc.

This is the first course where the student is actually starting with the subject specialisation, Oceanography. It covers all aspects of the ocean like topography, general properties waves, tides, currents, nutrients and the biodiversity of the ocean.

This course takes an indepth look at planktons, classification, types, adaptation etc. The next module covers the various types of fisheries practiced by man. Module 3 explains the immune system of fish to the learner, various diseases and pathogens that infect fish and vaccines that have been developed. Knowledge of Aquaculture practices and their impact completes this course.

The last course in semester 2 focuses on various microbes found in marine environments, their role in the nutrient cycles of the ocean, including corals and mangrove environment. Pathogens found in water, processed sea food, diseases caused and preventive methods are covered in module three. The last module speaks about the role of microbes in bioremediation of the ocean.

This course is the first step into the study of insects for a student who choses entomology as the specialisation. It speaks about the insect body, division of parts and the outer tough covering found in insects.

In the second course the learner familiarises with the systematic position of Class Insecta in the animal kingdom, with a little bit of history. The types of insects and taxonomic keys of insect identification are also explained in this course.

Course three elaborates on the anatomy of the insect body, which means the study of internal organs and various systems like respiration, circulation and excretion in insects.

This course is a continuation of the anatomical study of the insect body and focuses on the nervous system, sense organs and reproduction in insects. To understand the insect systems better, cockroach is taken up for detailed type study.

In this course the student will learn about some of the well known applications of Biotechnology in the fields of agriculture, medicine,Industry and Environment. Many landmark achievements of biotech such as human genome project and Bt plants are covered in detail here.

This course elaborates on some very important instruments required for oceanographic research and few of the popular oceanic expeditions. The other modules cover marine ecology, impact of pollution on marine environment and some of the resources obtained from the sea.

This course teaches about the various micro flora and fauna found in the oceans, their collection and role in the ecosystem. The second module emphasises on the population dynamics of fish, fish catch, population models and the socio economic aspects of fishery. Further the hormones found in fish and the physiology of fish body is discussed.

This course is very significant as it covers all the major vocation based topics that will help a student of oceanography to secure a career. Aquaculture, transgenic fish, cell line development, marine natural products, probiotics, cryo[reservation, and fish breeding are all latest technologies that are sought for in the Industry.

In the first course of semester 3, the budding entomologist will understand the working of basic insect hormones and how they play a significant role in regulating vital insect functions like molting and metamorphosis.

This course deals with insect habits, habitat, field identification, different collection and preservation methods. The ecology of insect interactions like mimicry, coloration and migration is elucidated here. Finally the course also touches upon basic phylogeny , DNA isolation and sequencing methods.

Here, the learner attempts to understand basic life processes observed in insects, how their body responds to infection, the cells and organs involved in the process etc. In the module on industrial entomology they are taught about industries which use insects to manufacture essential products such as apiculture, sericulture, lac culture etc.

The final course covers certain applied or allied fields of entomology such as forest entomology and forensic entomology which are new and of great intrigue for the student.