Department of Zoology

Zoology is branch of biology concerned with the study of animal kingdom. It is also called as animal biology. The study of zoology includes the interaction of animal kingdom in their ecosystems such as classification, habits, structure, distribution, embryology, evolution and extinct species.

The Department of Zoology was established in the academic year 1987–88 with the objective of providing quality education in the field of Life Sciences. Prof. B.B. Rathod was the first faculty member to serve the department from its inception, laying a strong academic foundation and contributing significantly to its early growth and development.

In 1990, the University introduced the non-semester pattern with a combination of three equally important optional subjects for the B.Sc. programme, namely Chemistry, Botany, and Zoology. Since then, the department has continuously adapted itself to the changing academic framework. The semester system with a revised six-semester syllabus was introduced by the University during 2005–06, followed by the implementation of the Choice Based Credit System (CBCS) in 2019–20. In line with the National Education Policy, the NEP curriculum was introduced in 2021–22, and subsequently the State Education Policy (SEP) curriculum was implemented from the academic year 2024–25.

The department has been enriched by the dedicated services of several distinguished faculty members over the years. Shri R.G. Vastrad joined the department on 15-06-1990 as a UGC Associate Professor and served with exceptional commitment until his retirement on 31-03-2025, rendering nearly 35 years of dedicated academic service. During his tenure, he played a vital role in strengthening undergraduate teaching, mentoring students, developing laboratory facilities, and promoting academic excellence within the department.

Likewise, Smt. Kalpana G. Hiremath joined the department on 18-06-1993 as a UGC Associate Professor and served with distinction until her retirement on 28-02-2026, completing more than 32 years of dedicated service. Her sincere efforts in teaching, student mentoring, curriculum implementation, and departmental development greatly contributed to the academic progress and reputation of the department. The invaluable contributions of both faculty members have left a lasting legacy, significantly enriching the department through their commitment, discipline, and academic leadership.

At present, the department is served by two committed faculty members, Smt. S.L. Madiwalar and Smt. Shruti Shettar, who continue to uphold the department's tradition of academic excellence through quality teaching, student guidance, and active participation in curricular and co-curricular activities.

The department possesses a spacious, well-equipped Zoology laboratory capable of accommodating 25 students simultaneously, ensuring the effective conduct of practical classes. The laboratory is furnished with essential instruments, experimental apparatus, charts, models, preserved specimens, and a rich collection of museum specimens that facilitate experiential learning and practical skill development. The department remains committed to imparting quality education, fostering scientific temperament, and encouraging students to pursue higher studies and research in the field of Zoological Sciences.

Vision

To develop the Department of Zoology into a centre of excellence in Animal Sciences by imparting quality education, promoting scientific knowledge, fostering research, and empowering rural students to become competent professionals, responsible citizens, and environmentally conscious individuals.

Mission

• To impart quality education in Zoology through effective teaching, practical training, and scientific inquiry.
• To promote knowledge for the protection, preservation, and conservation of biodiversity and wildlife.
• To encourage students to pursue higher education, research, and careers in Life Sciences and allied disciplines.
• To nurture scientific temperament, leadership qualities, ethical values, and professional competence among students.
• To create awareness about environmental conservation, ecological sustainability, and responsible use of natural resources through academic and extension activities.
• To develop skilled graduates capable of contributing effectively to education, research, healthcare, agriculture, environmental management, and society.

Zoological Museum

The Department of Zoology houses a well-maintained and comprehensive Zoological Museum, which serves as an invaluable learning resource for undergraduate students. The museum contains an extensive collection of preserved specimens representing the rich diversity of the animal kingdom, enabling students to gain practical knowledge of animal taxonomy, morphology, anatomy, physiology, and evolution.

The museum includes a wide range of rare and representative specimens of both invertebrates and vertebrates, systematically arranged according to their taxonomic classification. Each specimen is properly labelled with its scientific name to facilitate easy identification and enhance the learning experience.

The museum presently houses more than 300 zoological specimens, including preserved organisms, skeletal materials, osteological preparations, and a complete human skeleton used for comparative anatomical and osteological studies. It also possesses an excellent collection of permanent histology, embryology, developmental biology, protozoology, and parasitology slides, enabling students to study tissue organization, cellular structures, and developmental processes in detail. The museum plays a significant role in enriching practical learning, project work, seminars, and self-directed study while cultivating scientific curiosity among students.

Laboratory Facilities and Instruments

The Department possesses a spacious, well-equipped laboratory with adequate infrastructure to conduct practical classes efficiently. The laboratory can accommodate 25 students simultaneously and provides a safe, student-friendly environment for conducting experiments prescribed by the university curriculum.

The laboratory is equipped with modern scientific instruments and apparatus required for undergraduate practical training, including:

• Centrifuge
• Incubator
• Autoclave
• Digital Electronic Balance
• Binocular Microscopes
• Monocular Microscopes
• Dissecting Microscopes
• Binocular Microscope with Camera Attachment
• Haemocytometer
• Haemometer
• Glassware including Burettes, Pipettes, Beakers, Conical Flasks, Measuring Cylinders, and Volumetric Flasks
• Petri Dishes
• Coupling Jars
• Test Tubes
• Dissection Boxes and Dissection Trays
• Laboratory Chemicals, Reagents, and Staining Solutions
• Charts, Models, and Demonstration Materials

The laboratory also houses a rich collection of preserved animal specimens representing diverse groups of both invertebrates and vertebrates, permanent histology slides, embryological preparations, and a complete human skeleton for practical demonstrations and comparative anatomical studies. These resources provide students with valuable hands-on exposure to animal diversity, taxonomy, morphology, anatomy, histology, physiology, and evolutionary relationships, thereby significantly enhancing their practical learning, observational skills, and research aptitude.

These facilities enable students to acquire practical competencies in microscopy, histology, physiology, developmental biology, taxonomy, ecology, genetics, and experimental zoology while fostering scientific observation, analytical thinking, and problem-solving abilities.

ICT and Internet Facilities

The Department effectively integrates Information and Communication Technology (ICT) The department is equipped with:

• LCD Multimedia Projector
• Desktop Computer with Internet Connectivity
• Digital Teaching Resources, including PowerPoint Presentations,