Level-1G

• Introduce the concept of origin of life
• Provide knowledge on cell structure and function
• Introduce the macromolecules in the cell
• Impart knowledge on cell cycle

• Define the basic concepts on the origin of life
• Explain the cell structure and function
• Discuss the macromolecules present in the cell
• Recall the stages of cell division
• Illustrate the stages in protein synthesis

• Introduction: Origin of life, scientific method; Prokaryotic and  eukaryotic cells;   Cell types;     Cell architecture; Ultra structure of cell organelles and   membranes: cell wall, cell membrane, nucleus, mitochondria, chloroplast, endoplasmic reticulum, ribosomes, golgi apparatus, cytoskeleton
• Cell cycle and cell division; Structure of macromolecules: carbohydrate, protein and nucleic acids
• DNA replication and protein synthesis; Structure and function of genes
• Laboratory exercises based on above topics

             End of Course    Examination: 70%

Practical: In-course assessment(s):30%

             End of Course Examination: 70%

Overall marks = (6MT+4MP)/10

MT – Marks for theory component, MP – Marks for practical component

• Carol, L. S. (2004). The Basics of Biology (Basics of the Hard Sciences). Greenwood press
• Lodish, H. F., Berk, A., Kaiser, C. A., Krieger, M. and Bretscher, A. (2016). Molecular Cell Biology, 8^th ed. Freeman, W. H. & Company
• Plopper, G. (2014). Principles of Cell Biology. Jones & Bartlett Publishers.

      Theory

Indepe dentLearning

• Introduce the features and diversity of cyanobacteria, algae and fungi
• Provide knowledge on classification of the above groups
• Impart knowledge on the evolutionary tendencies and life cycle patterns among cyanobacteria, algae and fungi

• Describe the life cycle pattern of algae and fungi
• Compare and contrast algae and fungi
• Express the importance of cyanobacteria, algae and fungi
• Explain the differences between various groups

•  Cyanobacteria: cell structure and differentiation, morphological diversity, cyanobacterial associations and economic importance.
• Heterocyst and nitrogen fixation.
• Algae: classification and the criteria on which the classifications are based, Representative genera of major algal groups, characteristic features, reproduction, ecology, life cycle patterns and economic importance.
• Fungi: characteristic features of fungi, fungal classification, reproduction, ecology, life cycle, economic importance.
• Laboratory exercises based on above topics.

             End of Course    Examination: 70%

Practical: In-course assessment(s):30%

                End of Course Examination: 70%

Overall marks = (6MT+4MP)/10

MT – Marks for theory component, MP – Marks for practical component

 References

• Kapoor, K. (2010). Oxford Book Company.
• Sarma T.A. (2012). Hand book of Cyanobacteria. CRC Press.
• Gilbert, M. (1955). Cryptogamic Botany Algae and Fungi, Vol.1. McGraw-Hill Book Company.
• Pandey, B. P. (2005). Algae Fungi and Bryophyta. College Botany: 1: McGraw-Hill Book Company.

Theory

Independent Learning

• Introduce the features and diversity of bryophytes and lower vascular plants
• Illustrate the evolutionary tendencies and life cycle patterns among lower vascular plants
• Provide knowledge on the economic importance of the bryophytes and lower vascular plants

• Compare and contrast the characteristic features of bryophytes and lower vascular plants
• Describe life cycle patterns in the above groups of plants
• Differentiate vascular and non – vascular plants
• Explain the economic importance of bryophytes and lower vascular plants

• Introduction: Characteristics features of Bryophytes, Pteridophytes, Gymnosperms and Angiosperms, their life cycle patterns and evolutionary tendencies, Comparison of vegetative and reproductive structures.
• Classification, habitat, habit, distribution and adaptations of Bryophytes, Pteridophytes and Gymnosperms; Life cycles of major classes of Bryophytes, Pteridophytes and Gymnosperms.
• Economic importance of each group of organisms.
• Laboratory exercises based on above topics.

             End of Course    Examination: 70%

Practical: In-course assessment(s):30%

                End of Course Examination: 70%

Overall marks = (6MT+4MP)/10

MT – Marks for theory component, MP – Marks for practical component

• Vashishta, P. C. (1996). Botany for Degree Students- Gymnosperms. 2nd Chand and Company.
• Vashishta, P. C., Sinha, A. K. and Kumar, A. (2010). Botany for Degree Students – Pteridophyta (Vascular Cryptogams). Chand and Company.

     Theory

Independent Learning

      24                    –

• Introduce the basic concepts in microbiology
• Impart skills in microbiology techniques
• Provide the fundamentals in the enumeration of microorganisms

• Recall the structure, function and diversity of microorganisms
• Classify the various groups of microorganisms
• Apply the basic techniques in microbiology
• Explain the role of control agents on microbial growth

• Introduction and scope of microbiology: discovery and diversity of microorganisms, classification of microorganisms
• Enumeration of microorganisms; Structure and function of a microbial cell
• Staining of bacteria and fungi; Sterilization techniques; Culturing, isolation, purification, characterization and identification of microorganisms
• Microbial metabolism; Growth of microorganisms: bacterial growth curves, batch and continuous culture systems, factors influencing microbial growth
• Concepts on controlling microorganisms: chemical and physical antimicrobial agents, kinds and modes of action of antibiotics, antibiotic resistance
• Laboratory exercises and field visits based on above topics.

Evaluation /Assessment strategy

             End of Course    Examination: 70%

Practical: In-course assessment(s):30%

             End of Course Examination: 70%

Overall marks = (6MT+4MP)/10

MT – Marks for theory component, MP – Marks for practical component

 References

Tiwari R.P., Hoondal, G.S and Tewari, R. (2009). Laboratory Techniques in Microbiology and Biotechnology, 1^st ed. Abhishek Publications.

Gerba, C. and Gentry, T. (2014). Environmental Microbiology. Ian Pepper,Academic Press.

• Introduce the concept of biotechnology
• Provide knowledge on complexity of genome
• Screening for vectors and clones
• Impart skills on various electrophoretic techniques
• Introduce the fundamentals of cloning

• Recall the fundamental concepts pertaining to basic principles of biotechnology
• Interpret the structure and function of gene
• Compare various vectors and selection of clones
• Apply the electrophoretic techniques for the separation of nucleic acids and proteins
• Build expression clones

• Structure of Nucleic acids, Genome complexity.
• Extraction of plant, Plasmid, Animal and Phage DNA, RNA extraction.
• Restriction, digestion and ligation, Linkers, adapters.
• Gel electrophoresis
• Polymerase chain Reaction
• Vectors, cloning and introduction to libraries
• Screening of clones; screening by DNA hybridization, blotting techniques, molecular markers
• DNA finger printing
• Transgenic plants and animals.

End of Course Examination: 70%

References

• Brown, T. A. (2013). Gene Cloning and DNA Analysis: An Introduction, Sixth edition. John Wiley & Sons
• Pathak, R. (2007). Introduction to Biotechnology. Atlantic publishers.
• Patnaik, B. K., Kara, T. C., Ghosh, S.N. and Dalai, A.K. (2012).  Textbook of Biotechnology. Tata McGraw Hill.