The department of biosciences was established in 1972 under the worthy Chairmanship of Prof. M. L. Bhatia a visionary scholar and eminent researcher followed by Prof. H.D. Kumar, Prof. H.O. Aggarwal and many more renowned Professors and Scholars thereafter. Presently, Prof. Duni Chand is working as Dean, Faculty of Life Sciences and Dr. H.S. Banyal as Chairman, Department of Bio-Science, leading the Department towards new heights and multidimensional growth.
Right from the inception, the department of biosciences has been oriented towards post-graduate training and research involving the study of biological resources their development, utilization and conservation at national and international levels keeping in view the requirements of the state of Himachal Pradesh in particular. The M.Sc. courses are run into four semesters and students are enrolled every year purely on the basis of merit in entrance examination. There are some common courses for M.Sc. Botany and M.Sc. Zoology which include Cell & Molecular Biology, Biochemistry & Metabolism, Tools & Techniques in 1st semester; Ecology & Environment, Cytogenetics & Evolution and Biostatistics and Bioinformatics in 2nd Semester. In addition to these common courses, study of Algae, Fungi, Microbiology and Plant Pathology is included in 1st and 2nd semester of M.Sc. Botany whereas Biosystematics and Taxonomy, Invertebrates & Vertebrates are covered in 1st and 2nd semester of M.Sc. Zoology. 3rd Semester of M.Sc. Botany includes Bryophytes, Pteridophytes, Plant Physiology and some optional courses. Similarly, 3rd semester of M.Sc. Zoology includes Insect Diversity and Physiology, Animal Physiology and some optional cources. 4th Semester of M.Sc. Botany is devoted to some courses like Anatomy, Palynology and Reproductive Biology, Plant Resource Utilization and a special paper to be opted by the students. Similarly 4th semester of M.Sc. Zoology includes Developmental Biology, Applied Zoology and a special paper opted by students on the bases of merit in previous semesters. Moreover, a research project is assigned to the M.Sc. students in 3rd semester.
Ph.D. course work covers three compulsory courses and one optional course. The compulsory courses include Research Methodology & Project Management, Research & Publication Ethics and Techniques in Biological Research
At present about 200 students are pursuing their studies for M.Sc. and Ph. D. Degree and almost all the research scholars after having successfully competed at national level holding CSIR, UGC, ICMR, NFSC, Inspire and other fellowships.
The department of biosciences from time to time has been able to obtain research projects from granting agencies such as UGC, ICMR, ICAR, DST, DBT, MOEF, National Medicinal Plants Board etc. which have greatly helped in augmenting and strengthening the research activities in the department.
The achievement of the faculty members and research students are reflected in various International awards and scholarships such as Visiting Professorship, Scientist, Academic Administrator, Vice Chancellor, Directors, Advisor, Alexander von Humbolt fellowship holder, Royal Academy of Sciences, London award, Japan Society for promotion of Science Award, Commonwealth Fellowship, INSA Exchange Programme/International collaboration etc. The faculty members constitute a team of bright scientists recognised nationally as well as internationally, who participate regularly in seminars, symposia, workshops and conferences in India and abroad.
