Undergraduate Program

1. Introduction to the Program

1.1 Title of the Program:

The title of the program is Bachelor of Science with Hons. The degree is abbreviated as BS (Hons) in Botany.

1.2 Duration of the Program:

It consisted of four academic years (July to June) divided into four sessions each having one academic year. The maximum duration of each session makes 42/44 weeks which are distributed as follows:

The result of annual examinations is published within 6 weeks from the date of holding the last examination.

1. 3. Eligibility for Admission: Students having total minimum GPA 8.0 (sum of HSC and SSC GPA) having minimum GPA 3.5 in HSC and SSC examinations are eligible to apply and to seat for a centrally controlled admission test of the unit ‘A’ carried out in each academic session of the University of Dhaka. The students seeking admission must have a GPA 3.0 in Biology. From the merit list of successful candidates via their selection of subject choices are eligible for the admission in the BS (Hons) program in the Department of Botany.

1. 4. General Objectives of the Program: Botany deals with the different aspects and knowledge on plants and microbes. The objectives of the program is to gather an up to date and useful knowledge on various disciplines of botany for the benefit of mankind and environment and our socio-econmic conditions through learning and research. The main part of the objectives could be highlighted as follows:
      1. To promote academic and research knowledge in botany under the rules and regulations of the University of Dhaka
      2. To produce qualified graduates to meet the modern national and international demands on plant sciences
      3. To engage the graduates in nation-building programs through their proper training in botany
      4. To increase the capacity of the graduates for dissemination of academic and research knowledge to the next generation plant scientists
      5. To train the graduates in learning good governance, team work, interpersonal relationships and leaderships in order to face the national and global scientific challenges
      6. To increase knowledge skill related to the components of biodiversity, climate change food security, invention and promotion of new crop plants, adaptations and conservation of the biodiversity
      7. To adopt, practice and give input to the innovative biotechnological principles for a sustainable and productive agriculture and other plant related activities practiced in the modern society

2. Structure of the curriculum

The BS (Hons) degree program is covered by a set of theoretical and practical (laboratory/field/project oriented) courses. Some content of which has been provided below:

1. Theoretical courses: a minimum of 15 class hours per session constituting one credit hour
2. Practical courses: credits for practical (laboratory/field/project oriented) courses are determined by the relevant course teacher
3. Assignment of credits to the project work to be carried out by the respective student is being allocated by the course teacher
4. A minimum of 140 credits must have to be earned for the successful completion of the graduate degree program by the student

A year-wise distribution of credits during the four academic years has been provided below:

Year-wise distribution of credits in Four Years

3. Assessment System

The total performance of a student in a given course (departmental or extra-departmental) is evaluated on the basis of a series of continuous assessment, in course and course final examinations.

3.1 In-course, class attendance and course final examination

1. In-course test: In-course tests of minimum one hour duration shall be conducted and evaluated by the course teacher. There will be at least 2 (two) written tests for 4/3- credit courses and at least 1(one) written test for 2-credit courses.
2. Class attendance

1. A student must attend at least 75% of the total classes held in an academic year to be eligible for appearing in the final examination of that year without paying any penalty.
2. A student attending at least 60% classes but less than 75% classes will be allowed to appear for the examination after paying non-collegiate fees fixed by the university.
3. A student attending less than 60% classes will not be allowed to appear for final examination for that year/session.

3. Make up test: Make up test will be arranged for a student who fails to appear in in-course test/tests. Absence in any in-course test will be counted as zero for calculating the average in in-course test for that course. However, a student can apply to the Chairman of the relevant department for make-up test. The Chairman will only place the application before the academic committee if the particular student has met with an accident or his/her parents has expired or he/she has gone through a surgical procedure or any other such situation which the Academic Committee feels can be considered. The make-up test must be held during the course period
4. Course final examination

1. The course final examination is conducted centrally by the Controller of Examinations, University of Dhaka as per existing system.
2. Pattern of theory questions is decided by the academic committee. However, there will be no objective part.
3. The course final examinations will be of 3 hours duration for 4-credit courses, 2½ hours for 3-credit courses and 2 hours for 2- credit courses.
4. For evaluation of the course final examination there is two examiners: one internal (course teacher) and the other external (will preferably be within the department/university).
5. Under double-examiner system and in case of difference of more than 20% of marks, there will be a 3^rd examiner. Marks of nearest two examiners will be average out as final marks.

e) Assessment of project courses: Mode of assessment of project will be determined by the respective examination committee.

f) Viva-voce: Viva-voce examination is conducted by the respective Examination Committee approved by the University. One external examiner preferably from one public university of Bangladesh and nominated by the Academic Committee of the Department of Botany must be present in the examination committee.

g) Extra-departmental course: Extra-departmental course include practical classes based on the course materials. In such cases, the assessment on the practical part is done only by a final examination

h) Continuous assessment: The scheme of continuous assessment that a teacher proposes to follow for a course is announced by the teacher on the first day of classes.

i) The distribution of marks for a theoretical and practical courses is as follows:

Class attendance 5%

In-course assessment 35%

Course Final Examination 60%

j) The distribution of marks for an extra-departmental course is as follows:

Class attendance 5 %

In-course assessment 15 %

Practical examination 20 %

Course Final Examination 60 %