To be eligible for admission to a 3-year Bachelor of Science (B.sc) degree program in colleges affiliated with Sant Gadge Baba Amravati University, a student typically needs to have successfully completed their Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) in either the science or Science field and maintained a consistent academic record throughout their educational career.

Semester: I
Course Code: 107201
Course Name: Foundations of Plant Science and Career Development
Exam Duration: 2 Hours
Max Marks: 30 (External) + 20 (Internal) 

Syllabus

Unit System and Contents

Unit I

1.1 Bridging knowledge of lower classes, historical context of botany and its importance in the modern world, basics of diversity, taxonomy, and systematics.
1.2 Plant interactions with their environment (including ecosystems), fundamentals of physiological processes (photosynthesis, respiration, plant hormones, and growth regulation).
1.3 Cell and molecular biology for understanding plant cell structure, organelles, differences from other living cells, and transformation of phenotype from genotype.
1.4 Plant breeding and genetic engineering, Mendelian inheritance, and modern plant breeding techniques for the creation of genetically modified crops.

Unit II

2.1 Agricultural Botany — Role of plants in agriculture, crop improvement programs, and sustainable practices.
2.2 Plants as an Industry — Biomolecular, food, medicinal, biofuels, and biomaterials.
2.3 Environmental Botany — Impact assessment, climate change, and pollution.
2.4 Ultramodern Concepts in Plant Sciences — CRISPR/Cas9 and advanced genetic editing, synthetic biology, plant neurobiology, phenomics, and high-throughput plant phenotyping using Artificial Intelligence (AI).

Unit III

3.1 Opportunities for higher studies (Master’s and Doctoral), top institutes in India and abroad.
3.2 Readiness for entry into the corporate world of industries — Plant-based industries and their skill demands.
3.3 Exploration of various research lines, prominent national and international research institutes, and their contributions.
3.4 Competitive Examinations for Plant Sciences — Entrance exams for higher studies, international opportunities, and entry into public and corporate services.

Unit IV

4.1 Innovations in Plant Sciences — Artificial photosynthesis, hydrogen fuel harvesting, edible vaccines, phytoremediation, biofortification, plant-based meat alternatives, responsive “smart” plants, etc.
4.2 Entrepreneurship Opportunities — Scope and projections, local and international business (case studies: one each).
4.3 Communication Skills — Writing scientific papers, presenting research, and public speaking.
4.4 Fellowships and Scholarships for Botany students.



Course Outcomes

After successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

CO 1: Recall key historical milestones in botany, basic concepts of plant diversity, taxonomy, and systematics, and foundational knowledge of plant physiology and cell biology.
CO 2: Demonstrate an understanding of how plants interact with their environment, the role of plants in agriculture and various industries, and their impacts on environmental issues such as climate change and pollution.
CO 3: Apply knowledge of plant sciences to explore opportunities for advanced studies and careers in the corporate world, including preparation for competitive examinations and understanding skills required in plant-based industries.
CO 4: Analyze and critically evaluate modern concepts in plant sciences such as CRISPR/Cas9, synthetic biology, and the application of AI in plant phenotyping, along with ethical and legal aspects of these innovations.
CO 5: Assess the effectiveness of innovative plant science technologies like artificial photosynthesis, hydrogen fuel harvesting, and plant-based meat alternatives, and make informed judgments about their potential impact on society and the environment.
CO 6: Synthesize knowledge and skills to develop original ideas or approaches in plant sciences, potentially leading to entrepreneurial opportunities or novel research projects. Students will also demonstrate proficiency in communicating their scientific ideas effectively through writing and presentations.