RU Zoology Deptt helps enrich knowledge over four decades

RAJSHAHI, Nov 11: The Department of Zoology of Rajshahi University (RU) is offering higher knowledge and research activities on fish, silk and cattle head cultivation.

The Zoology Department had its origin in the Department of Botany in 1969-1970 and started functioning in the middle of 1972.

With the rapid advances in the field of animal science, it was felt necessary to extend it into an independent and full-fledged department.

The number of academic staff increased from four in 1972 to its present strength of 32, comprising 22 professors, six associate professors and six assistant professors.

The faculty members, researchers and students of the department contributed over the last four decades to enriching knowledge in the biological sector.

With the aim to keep the students abreast of advances in zoological sciences, the department offers both undergraduate and postgraduate programmes.

Here integrated courses are shared with the departments of botany and biochemistry.

Apart from the M Sc programme the department has varied and exciting programmes for the post-graduates who are keen on pursuing research leading to the degrees of M Phil and Ph D in Zoology in seven areas of research.

The areas are animal genetics and breeding, cell biology, crop protection and toxicology, ecology, entomology, fisheries and sericulture.

The exchange of ideas between teachers and students is encouraged through seminars where research findings are presented and discussed.

In addition, the department publishes annually a journal called University Journal of Zoology, Rajshahi University, and a magazine in Bangla, 'Probal', funded by a grant from the Ministry of Science and Technology.

An academic link-programme was in operation during 1988-1998 between this Department and the Department of Agricultural and Environmental Science, University of Newcastle upon Tyne, UK.

This collaborative programme provided ample opportunities for research, training and higher degrees to a considerable number of staff members of the department.

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