Department of Life Sciences

The Department of Life Sciences has a history dating back to 1922. The department currently offers a three-year BSc. degree programme with majors in Biochemistry, Biology, and Environmental & Natural Resource Management; MSc programmes; and M.Phils and PhDs in a wide range of disciplinary areas in Life Sciences.

The department’s research thrust is in the areas of ecology and management of tropical habitats, conservation of biodiversity, biotechnology and genetic improvement and integrated management of tropical pests and parasitoids. The department has a substantial research staff specialising in a number of disciplinary areas in Life Sciences. The department has research facilities in the major thrust areas and encourages collaborative research and visiting scientists.

The department provides consultancy services in the area of ecology and management of tropical environments, identification of plant and animal specimens, toxicology, aquaculture, microbiology and to a limited extent tissue culture and disease diagnostic services.