Botany Subjects List: Year-wise Syllabus, Semesters, Specializations & Books

Biodiversity - Mycology and Phytopathology

Students gain knowledge about the principles of plant pathology, alongside the application of these principles in controlling plant diseases.

The subject also introduces you to the world of Fungi, diving deep into its structure and functions.

It highlights the importance of microbes present in the environment.

Major topics covered in this subject are:

• Introduction to true Fungi

• Applied Mycology

• Symbiotic Associations

• Allied Fungi

• Bacterial Diseases

Plant Resource Utilisation

One of the most useful subjects in Botany, plant resource utilisation, can broadly be grouped into five categories, which are -

1. Food

2. Medicine

3. Environmental protection,

4. Construction

5. Plant germplasm.

Humans have always been dependent on plant resources for nourishment. Germplasm resources provide the base for breeding new crop varieties. Conserving and utilising these resources is necessary for improved health and nutrition.

Some critical aspects of this subject are:

• Genetic Diversity

• Phenotyping of germplasm

• Identification of valuable genes from germplasm

• Creation of new germplasm

• Mechanism study of germplasm

Plant Development and Anatomy

While Botany is the study of plants, Plant Anatomy is concerned with studying the internal structure of plants. It is one of the most important core subjects in Botany.

There have been various developments in the anatomy of plants.

This subject covers multiple topics around plant anatomy, such as

• Structure & Development of Cell Wall

• Meristems of the shoot

• Epidermis

• Secondary Xylem

• The Phloem

• Secretion in plants

Plant Taxonomy and Embryology

The purpose of plant taxonomy is to identify all kinds of plants present around us, along with their names, characteristics and distribution.

It helps in classifying and segregating the plants into specific groups. On the other hand, embryology is the branch of biology focused on the fertilisation process in plants.

It is a crucial subject for students who aspire to become future botanists.

Some common topics covered here are:

• Types of Classification - Artificial, Phylogenetic and Natural

• Engler and Prantle’s system of classification

• Plant Ovule Structures and Its Types

• Pollination and Fertilisation

• Development of Monocot and Dicot Embryos

• Polyembroyny

   

Genetics and Plant Breeding

Plant breeding implies the scientific study of changing the characteristics of plants to produce desired results.

Students are required to have detailed knowledge of the classical and latest developments in the field of genetics and plant breeding.

This subject teaches you the following:

• Principles of Genetics

• Principles of Cytogenetics

• Principles of Plant Breeding

• Principles of Quantitative Genetics

• Advanced plant breeding

• Cell Biology, Functions of Cell Wall and Cell Membrane

• DNA as the genetic material

• Griffith and Avery’s transformation experiment

• DNA structure

• Types of RNA

• Mendel’s Law of Inheritance

• Chromosome theory of inheritance

• Objectives of Plant Breeding

• Role of mutation in crop breeding.

Plant Ecology and Phytogeography

This subject focuses on the origin, distribution, and development of plant species. It also deals with the relationships of plants with other species and their surroundings.

Major factors affecting plant development are:

• Our environment

• Climate conditions

• Topography

• Biotic factors

• The ecosystem

• Hydrophytes

If you’re someone who wants to dive deep into topics like biodiversity, plant adaptations, ecological pyramids and the biogeochemical cycles, this subject is ideal for you.

Microbial Diversity

Microbes are distinguished based on their metabolism, physiology, and morphology. Identifying new microorganisms present in our environment is an ongoing process, making it an essential subject for students looking to pursue a career in Botany.

This elective talks about the following topics:

• Gram staining (in bacteria).

• Sectional cutting of Fungi-affected material

• Identification of Pathogens.

• Examination of biofertilizers, antibiotics, protein capsules and mushrooms.

• Different types of thalli (Lichens) and their external morphology

You will also get an opportunity to receive hands-on learning through field visits.

Gymnosperms

This subject talks about gymnosperms - plants that do not flower due to which their seeds appear at the surface of their reproductive structures.

The different classes of Gymnosperms taught in this subject are:

• Cycadophyta

• Ginkgophyta

• Gnetophyta

• Coniferophyta

You’ll get to learn about the following:

• General Characteristics, Classification and Distribution of Gymnosperms in India

• Structure and Life History of Cycas

• Structure and Life History of Ephedra

• Structure and Life History of Pinus

1

Microbial Diversity

Algae and microbiology

Students learn about the different kinds of microbes present on our planet.

This subject provides opportunities for students to research the evolution of microbial diversity.

The main objectives of microbial classification are to study the following:

• Stability

• Predictability

• Genetic relatedness

• The intuitive method

• Numerical taxonomy

3

Cell Biology

Plant metabolism

This is the most basic subject in Botany that talks about plants on the cellular level.

The objective of this subject is to study the molecular aspects of cell structure.

It also introduces an experimental approach to cell biology.

The major topics included in Cell Biology are

• Cell envelopes and organelles

• Nuclear organisation

• Cell division and cell cycle

• DNA

• RNA

1

Diversity of Archegoniates and Anatomy

Archegoniatae

Archegoniate refers to plants bearing an Archegonium, i.e. female sex organ.

The syllabus also includes studying the structure and function of the Archegonium. Students will learn about the extant and extinct species of archegoniate.

Learning about the economic importance of Archegoniates is another crucial aspect of this subject.

3

Genetics and Plant Breeding

Genetics and Genomics

The science of changing plant characteristics to get desired results is called plant breeding.

To bring about these changes, the study of plant genetics is necessary.

This subject has a lot of scope for developing newer varieties of crops.

Plant Biotechnology

• Algae, Fungi, and Lichens

• Algal and Fungal Biotechnology

• Bryophytes and Pteridophytes

• Gymnosperms

• Anatomy of Angiosperms

• Taxonomy of Gymnosperms

• Economic Botany

Candidates interested in learning about modifying and improving crops can take up this course. The course offers detailed knowledge of plant breeding, genetics, physiology, and biochemistry.

Various institutes across India offer undergraduate and postgraduate courses in Plant Biotechnology.

Forestry

• Tree physiology

• Forest pathology

• Wildlife management

• Tribology and Anthropology

• Principles of Forest Economics

• Silviculture

• Forest Management

• Forests and People

Forestry involves the science of planting, managing, and conserving forest resources. Due to declining forest cover, the demand for this specialisation has increased significantly.

A candidate can pursue a 4-year undergraduate course before applying to the 2-year postgraduate course in forestry.

Horticulture

• Commercial Floriculture

• Agricultural Microbiology

• Principles of Seed Production

• Ornamental Gardening

• Interior Scaping

• Greenhouse construction

• Production Economics

Students interested in studying agriculture and food production can pursue a specialisation in Horticulture - a subject that provides in-depth knowledge about plantations, nurseries, and orchards.

There are graduate, postgraduate, doctorate, and diploma level courses in Horticulture.

Environmental Science

• Ecological System

• Pollution and its control

• Disaster management

• Geoenvironment

• Ecological Principles

• Waste management

• Environmental management

This field combines different aspects of Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Botany, Geography, Zoology, etc. It is the study of the nature of the environment, its problems, and solutions.

Candidates have the option of choosing from a wide range of undergraduate, postgraduate, doctorate, and diploma courses offered by top universities across India.

Agriculture

• Plant genetics

• Agricultural Meteorology

• Food Technology

• Animal Husbandry

• Soil science

• Agriculture Economics

• Agriculture Engineering

• Sericulture

Candidates can study the various technical and scientific aspects related to Agricultural Technology like food technology, dairy industry, food science, plant science, etc.

Students of agriculture have various job opportunities, especially in the government sector.

There is a variety of Bachelor’s, Master’s, doctorate, and diploma courses available in agriculture.

Cell Biology

Cell - A Molecular Approach

Cooper and Hausmann

This book offers a comprehensive approach to cellular biology and is written in a way that makes it easy to understand.

It is based on the syllabus of the first semester of B.Sc.in Botany and promotes critical thinking among students.

Genetics and Plant Breeding

Principles of Genetics

Gardner, Simmons, and Snustad

This book talks about genetics, emphasising its applications in modern life. It covers techniques of modern genetics like isolation, cloning, etc.

This book covers some other related topics: cell mechanics, chromosome mapping, gene cloning, gene expression, etc.

Plant Development and Anatomy

Plant Physiology

Taiz and Zeiger

The book is perfect for beginner students of Botany. This book introduces plant physiology in an understandable manner.

Some topics covered in this book include plant cells, plant movements, transpiration, photosynthesis, etc.

Biochemistry

Principles of Biochemistry

Lehninger

This award-winning book guides students to understand the complex discipline of Biochemistry. It includes illustrations and tables to help students understand the concepts of biochemistry and cell biology.

Plant Taxonomy

Molecular Plant Taxonomy

Pascale Besse

The primary aim of this book is to offer a better understanding of the evolutionary processes in taxonomic groups.

This book provides conceptual as well as technical guidelines for plant taxonomists.

Advanced Plant Physiology

Advanced Microscopy in Mycology (Fungal Biology)

Kirk J. Cyzmmek, Tanya E.S. Dahms

This book covers each microscopic method used in mycology.

It also covers the advantages and disadvantages of these methods, apart from processes like the confocal principle and laser scanning microscopy, among others.

Mycology and Phytopathology

Introduction to Fungi

Roland WS Webster, John Webster

One of the most widely used books on Mycology and Phytopathology, this text offers a 360-degree overview of fungal biology.

Covering everything from cell and molecular biology, taxonomy and pathology of fungi, it also offers an extensive amount of visual references for easier understanding.

Hindu College, New Delhi

Miranda House College, New Delhi

Fergusson College, Pune

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St. Xavier's College, Mumbai

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Mount Carmel College, Bengaluru

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Gargi College, New Delhi

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Christ College, Bengaluru

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Ramjas College, New Delhi

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Kirori Mal College, New Delhi

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Madras Christian College, Chennai

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