M.Sc Zoology Syllabus and Subjects

Duration: 2 Years
Avg Fees: ₹30K - 1.5 LPA

The MSc Zoology syllabus is designed to provide students with an understanding of existing and extinct animals and their genetic evolution and natural habitats. The MSc Zoology subjects cover the study of topics such as Anatomy, Physiology, Behavior, Genetics, and Ecology of various animal species. 

The M.Sc Zoology course has a well-defined syllabus that focuses on industry-related topics. Hence, the job scope ranges from animal biologists, animal control officers, academic researchers, zoologists, etc

 Table of Contents

Semester Wise MSc Zoology Syllabus

The MSc Zoology syllabus provides an in-depth study of the animal kingdom, including analysis and conservation. The first year of the course covers core subjects, whereas the second year focuses on electives offered in the course. The semester-wise syllabus of MSc Zoology is given below:

First-Year M.Sc Zoology Syllabus

The M.Sc. Zoology Syllabus for 1st year is divided into the first and second semesters, provided below:

Semester I Semester II
Fundamentals of Molecular Biology Basics of Animal Physiology 
Structure and Functions of Non-Chordates Cell Biology and Genetics 
Taxonomy and Evolutionary Biology Comparative of Anatomy of Vertebrates
Basics of Animal Bio-Chemistry Biostatistics and Computer Applications
Introduction to Toxicology Structure and Functions of Chordates

M.Sc 1st year Zoology Practicals

The list below contains practicals offered in M.Sc Zoology syllabus for first year:

  • Demonstration of law of segregation and independent assortment using Drosophila mutants 
  • Statistical analysis of genetic crosses
  • Targeted tissue specific expression of genes using UAS-Gal4 System in Drosophila
  • Restriction enzyme digestion of plasmid DNA

Second-Year MSc Zoology Syllabus

Below mentioned is MSc 2nd year Zoology syllabus bifurcated into third and fourth semesters:

Semester III Semester IV
Principles of Ecology Electives
Computational Biology,
Biostatistics and Bioinformatics
Research Methodology and
Bioethics 
Immunology Projects
Electives -

M.Sc 2nd year Zoology Practicals

The list below contains practicals offered in 2nd year of M.Sc Zoology syllabus:

  • Study of life cycle and developmental stages of Zebra fish
  • Isolation of Genomic DNA from a bacterium and its quantification
  • Purification of 16S rRNA gene
  • Aseptic technique - Testing the efficiency of sanitization with 70% alcohol

MSc Zoology Subjects

The MSc Zoology subjects cover theoretical and practical aspects such as Experimental Embryology, Immunology, and Conservation Biology. The Zoology MSc Syllabus includes a list of core, elective, and lab subjects which is given below:

MSc Zoology Core Subjects

The core subjects in MSc Zoology are listed below: 

  • Molecular Cell Biology 
  • Biochemistry and Biostatistics
  • Functions and Structure of Invertebrates
  • Immunology and Biotechnology
  • Environment and Ecological Evolution

MSc Zoology Elective Subjects

The elective subjects in MSc Zoology are listed below: 

  • Marine Biology
  • Applied Entomology
  • Aquaculture and Fish Biology
  • Applied Microbiology
  • Animal Migration and Behaviour Due to Global Warming
  • Applied Entomology

MSc Zoology Lab Subjects

The lab subjects in MSc Zoology are listed below: 

  • Preparation of single cell suspension from bone marrow and spleen (spleenocytes) of mice.
  • Cell counting and viability testing of the spleenocytes prepared.
  • Preparation and study of phagocytosis by spleenic/peritoneal macrophages 
  • Mactophage functional analysis by: a)Phagocytosis, b) Nitric oxide estimation
  • DNA quantification and purity of DNA.
  • Restriction enzyme digestion of plasmid DNA.
  • Purification of DNA from an agarose gel.
  • Vector and insert ligation. 

MSc Zoology Subjects in Detail

A wide range of subjects in the MSc Zoology syllabus equips the knowledge in animal science and kingdom. Below mentioned is a list of subjects and the topics covered in PG Zoology Syllabus:

MSc in Zoology Subjects  Topics Covered
Molecular Cell Biology Structure and function of biomolecules such as proteins, nucleic acids, and carbohydrates, DNA Replication, Recombination, Repair, etc.
Animal Physiology  Functions of cells, tissues, organs, and systems, the study of animal behavior, role of hormones, and the mechanisms of sensory perception.
Immunology Mechanisms of immune function, types of immunity, techniques used in immunology research, etc.
Taxonomy and Biodiversity Principles of taxonomy, phylogenetics, history of classification, groups of organisms and their characteristics, etc.

M.Sc Zoology Course Structure

The MSc Zoology syllabus focuses on making students job-ready by including skill development courses, practicals, seminars, and internships. The course structure of the MSc in Zoology syllabus is outlined below:

  • IV Semesters
  • Core and Elective Subjects
  • Internship
  • Practical Meet-ups and Visits
  • Research Project/ Thesis Submission

M.Sc Zoology Teaching Methodology and Techniques

The M Sc in Zoology syllabus takes both theoretical and practical teaching methods.  The teaching methodology is designed to offer adaptability and communicative-based learning to the students. Listed below are the teaching methodology and techniques in general:

  • Group and Individual Projects
  • Conceptualized Learning
  • Traditional and Unorthodox Classroom-Based Teaching
  • Practical Lab Sessions
  • Skill Development Sessions

M.Sc Zoology Projects

The M.Sc Zoology syllabus requires a project towards the end of the course, which is important for earning the degree. The projects determine the candidate's knowledge of the subject and analyze their readiness for the industry. Below are some of the topics for projects offered in the MSc Zoology syllabus:

  • To Analyze The Effects Of Temperature And Type Of Mouse Bedding On The Infectivity Of Human Schistosome Type Cercariae In Mice
  • To Note Down The Calculation And Integrate The Studies On Rice Fields Snails And Urinary Schistosomiasis Among Rice Farmers In India.
  • Population Dynamics Of Cichlid Fish Species Of Kerala. 
  • The Behavioral Teratogenic Effect of Cimetdine on the Offspring's of Albino Rats. 

MSc Zoology Books for Reference

M.Sc Zoology syllabus has a range of guidebooks that offer the candidates insight into coursework and the development of the subjects. Listed below are some of the major books for reference.

Books Authors
Human Physiology Vanders, Tortora
Cell Biology Cooper, Alberts
Molecular biology Watson, Pierce Benjamin, Lewin’s,
Developmental biology Gilbert
Biochemistry Stryer, Lehninger
Immunology Kuby, Ross
Taxonomy Mayr

M.Sc Zoology Fee Structure

FAQs on M.Sc Zoology Syllabus and Subjects

Q: What is M.Sc 1st year Zoology syllabus?

A: M.Sc 1st year Zoology syllabus includes study of Animal Diversity, Evolution, and Classification, Anatomy and Physiology of Different Animal Groups, etc.

Q: What are the popular MSc Zoology project topics?

A: Some of the popular research project topics for MSc Zoology are "Study on adaptation to novel contexts characterised by plasticity and genetic divergence", "The ecological and genetic origins of butterfly chemical plasticity" , etc.

Q: What are the subjects in MSc Zoology?

A: Some of the core subjects in MSc Zoology are Animal Physiology, Genetics, Ecology, Animal Behavior and Evolution.

Q: Which are the important MSc Zoology 1st year books?

A: Some of the important MSc Zoology 1st year books are "Ecology: Concepts and Applications" by Manuel Molles, "Animal Behavior: An Evolutionary Approach" by John Alcock, etc.

Q: Which course can I do after M.Sc Zoology?

A: After completion of MSc Zoology graduates can pursue certification courses in Animal Nutrition, Ecology or further higher education courses such as MPhil, PhD, etc.

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