DEPARTMENT OF ZOOLOGY
PROGRAMME OFFERED
B.Sc. – Bachelor of Science
Zoology was introduced as one of the minor subjects in the college in 1976, particularly to cater to the needs of students pursuing medical courses. Subsequently, the university incorporated the three-equal-subject scheme in the curriculum in 1989.
The Department of Zoology has continued to provide students with opportunities to develop knowledge and practical skills in biological sciences. The department emphasizes classroom learning, laboratory work, field studies, study tours and experiential learning.
Dr. Nayana Revankar, Assistant Professor, is the Head of the Department of Zoology.
VISION
We aspire to develop an excellent department providing a conducive environment for teaching, learning and research, supporting the efforts, qualities and skills of students and grooming them into socially responsible, globally competent and excellent human resources.
MISSION
To develop the Department of Zoology as a centre of excellence in higher education and to create an academic environment in which innovative ideas, scientific thinking and research can flourish.
GOALS
- To impart quality higher education.
- To provide a conducive teaching and learning environment.
- To provide higher education opportunities to socially and economically disadvantaged students.
- To promote the use of ICT in teaching and learning.
- To undertake continuous assessment of students.
- To develop research attitude among students.
- To ensure personal and professional growth of students.
- To inculcate values such as nation building, integrity and secularism.
- To provide value-based education.
- To create environmental awareness and encourage conservation of nature.
INFRASTRUCTURE & FACILITIES
The Department of Zoology has facilities that support theoretical as well as practical learning.
Zoology Laboratory
The department has a spacious and well-equipped laboratory with approximately 110 square metres of constructed area.
Zoology Museum
The department has a well-established museum containing approximately 150 animal specimens, providing students with opportunities for direct observation and identification.
Teaching & Learning Facilities
- Computer and Internet facilities.
- Centralized library facilities.
- E-library resources.
- Videos and PowerPoint presentations for theory and practical learning.
- Charts and models.
- CDs and other teaching aids.
- Laboratory equipment for biological techniques.
- Facilities for practical and field-oriented learning.
LABORATORY FACILITIES
The department’s laboratory includes equipment and teaching resources such as:
- Incubator
- Binocular microscope
- Student microscopes
- Dissection microscopes
- pH meter
- Centrifuge
- Refrigerator
- Dissecting lenses
- Aquarium
- Haemometer
- Haemocytometer
- Laboratory hot plate
- Human skeleton model
- Human torso model
- Biological charts
- Animal models
- Demonstration equipment
LIBRARY FACILITIES
The Department of Zoology is supported by the central library and has access to subject-related books and learning resources.
The existing BNDC Zoology page records 675 volumes available through the library for the subject and mentions periodicals including:
- Biology Today
- Sanctuary Asia
FACULTY
HEAD OF THE DEPARTMENT
Dr. Nayana Revankar
Assistant Professor of Zoology & Head, Department of Zoology
FACULTY MEMBER
Ms. Aditi S. Kalmangi
Lecturer in Zoology
The above faculty list is updated according to the 2026–27 staff list provided for BNDC. The existing BNDC department page identifies Dr. Nayana Revankar as the HOD.
TEACHING & LEARNING
The Department emphasizes practical and experiential learning along with classroom teaching.
Students are encouraged to learn through:
- Classroom teaching
- Laboratory practicals
- Demonstrations
- Charts and models
- Computer-assisted learning
- Internet-based learning resources
- Field visits
- Study tours
- Project work
- Student presentations
- Continuous assessment
The department’s approach helps students connect theoretical concepts with actual biological specimens and natural environments.
BEST PRACTICES
The Department encourages students to collect and learn about new information related to life sciences from newspapers and other sources and display relevant information on the department notice board.
This practice helps students remain aware of developments and interesting information in the field of biological sciences.
FIELD VISITS & STUDY TOURS
Field visits and study tours form an important part of Zoology education.
Students are provided opportunities to observe:
- Wildlife
- Biodiversity
- Natural ecosystems
- Aquatic ecosystems
- Forest ecosystems
- Agricultural environments
- Biological specimens
The existing department records study tours to places including Karwar, Anshi, Tavarekoppa, Bandipur, Ooty, Dharwad Agricultural University, Regional Science Centre Dharwad, Kerala, Hyderabad and Hasamnal Pond.
Students are encouraged to prepare tour reports, with academic assessment associated with these activities.
STUDENT ACTIVITIES
The Department encourages students to participate in:
- Study tours
- Field visits
- Wildlife-related activities
- Environmental awareness programmes
- Science exhibitions
- Laboratory activities
- Project work
- Student presentations
- Biological specimen study
- Research-oriented activities
The department records participation in activities connected with Wildlife Week and the Hornbill Festival, along with several educational study tours.
PRACTICAL LEARNING
Practical learning enables students to develop:
- Observation skills
- Identification skills
- Laboratory techniques
- Biological specimen handling
- Microscopy skills
- Scientific recording
- Analytical thinking
- Field-study skills
BNDC’s institutional documentation also describes Zoology students undertaking projects related to topics in their syllabus and receiving practical/field-based training.
AREAS OF STUDY
Students studying Zoology are exposed to areas such as:
- Animal Diversity
- Cell Biology
- Genetics
- Evolution
- Ecology
- Animal Physiology
- Developmental Biology
- Biochemistry
- Biotechnology
- Environmental Biology
- Biodiversity
- Wildlife Biology
LEARNING OUTCOMES
After studying Zoology, students will be able to:
- Understand fundamental concepts of biological sciences.
- Identify and classify organisms.
- Understand the relationship between structure and function at different levels of biological organization.
- Use biological instruments and laboratory techniques appropriately.
- Develop practical and field-study skills.
- Understand biodiversity and ecological relationships.
- Develop awareness regarding conservation of wildlife and natural resources.
- Apply scientific thinking to biological problems.
BNDC’s institutional report specifically states that Botany and Zoology students should be able to correctly use biological instrumentation and laboratory techniques and recognize relationships between structure and function at molecular, cellular and organismal levels.
CAREER OPPORTUNITIES
Zoology students can pursue higher education and careers in:
- M.Sc. Zoology
- Biotechnology
- Life Sciences
- Environmental Science
- Wildlife Biology
- Fisheries
- Research
- Teaching
- Laboratories
- Environmental Organisations
- Forest and Wildlife-related services
- Government services
- Competitive examinations
DEPARTMENT STRENGTHS
- Experienced teaching faculty.
- Dedicated Zoology laboratory.
- Zoology museum with animal specimens.
- Practical-oriented teaching.
- Field visits and study tours.
- Exposure to biological specimens.
- Environmental and wildlife awareness.
- ICT-supported learning.
- Central library and e-learning resources.
- Student project and experiential learning opportunities.