Introduction

The Department of Botany has since its inception grown in stature and standard. It has a qualified faculty of seven teachers who, besides teaching, have also been pursuing research. The major areas of their Current research interests include Electron Microscopy, Stain Technology, Reproductive Biology, Ecology, Plant Pathology, Cellular and Molecular Cytogenetics, Phycology, Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology. The teachers have published over 110 research papers in journals of national and international repute. They have, in addition, authored/edited a number of books/course materials for CBSE and NCERT. In the last 15 years, the faculty members of the Department have conducted a number of research projects sponsored by UGC and DST. The projects undertaken have not only improved the laboratory, but also led to greater orientation towards fields of applied research. In keeping with the high quality of research work, the bio-data of one of the teachers has been incorporated into the “Who’s Who in World”- a catalogue biography of scientists of international repute published by Marquis Who’s Who, New Jersey, U.S.A. Invitations to memberships of learned societies, like the New York Academy of Sciences, have also been received.

With an efficient teaching staff, helpful and co-operative non-teaching staff, the Department has attracted students from various places within and outside India. Every year the Department selects meritorious students for admission to the 1st year of B.Sc.(Hons.) Botany. Its alumni have distinguished themselves as teachers and scientists in academic and research organizations, government scientific departments and corporate bodies.

The Department has facilities to cater to the needs of the students. It has a collection of rare books donated by the late Professor Manohar Lal, former Head of the Department of Botany, Delhi University. The Hindu College Botanical Society—"Sanjeevani" arranges field excursions and lectures by distinguished botanists. During the annual festival-"Inflorescence", quiz, rangoli and other contestsare organised to widen the horizon of students with enhanced awareness of the world around them.