Botany, which is otherwise called as plant biology or plant science is a branch of biology that deals with the scientific study of life of plants. Traditionally, botany included the study of viruses, algae and fungi and it covers a wide range of scientific disciplines inclusive of chemical property, diseases, development, metabolism, reproduction, growth, structure and evolutionary relationship among taxonomic groups.

B. Sc (hons.) in Botany is a three-year honors degree course offered by a number of colleges in India and the names of government colleges offering this course are as follows:

Government Colleges:

• Barasat Government College, Kolkata

• Durgapur Government College, Burdwan

• Swami Shraddhanand College, Alipur, Delhi University

• Daulat Ram College (for women), Delhi University

• Hans Raj College, Delhi University

• Hindu College, Delhi University

• Miranda House, Delhi University

• Indraprastha College for Women, Delhi University

• Kirori Mal College, Delhi University

• Ramjas College, Delhi University

• Shri Guru Tegh Bahadur Khalsa College, Delhi University

• Government Degree College, Adilabad

• Government Degree College for Women, Karimnagar

• Government Degree College, Dharmnagar

• Women’s College, Agartala

Eligibility requirement for getting into B. Sc (hons.) course in Botany:

For seeking admission to the B. Sc (hons.) course in Botany, candidates must have completed their higher secondary either from the central board of secondary education or from any other approved state board or pre-university or equivalent examination in science stream of education. Admission of students to this course in Delhi University colleges is done based on merit secured in entrance test, while in the case of other colleges, admission is normally done on the basis of merit secured by candidates in the qualifying examination.

Higher studies after B. Sc (hons.) in Botany:

Candidates with B. Sc (hons.) in Botany can certainly go for higher education courses like Master of Computer Applications, Master of Business Administration and Master of Science preferably in the same stream. For M. Sc course in reputed colleges and for MBA course, candidates will have to clear entrance examination in addition to securing good marks in the B. Sc (hons.) in Botany course.

Career opportunities available for B. Sc (hons.) in Botany graduates:

With the challenges faced by environment, the scope and significance of Botany has developed widely than ever before. After completing honors degree in botany, candidates can find job opportunity in the position of biological technician and on completion of PG course in botany, candidates become eligible to entering a career in teaching or for taking up research jobs in some of the best universities in the nation. In addition, candidates can also join in any reputed organizations as

• Farming consultant

• Environmental consultants

• Plant pathologist

• Molecular biologist

• Plant biochemist

• Horticulturists

• Taxonomist

• Nursery manager

• Forester/park ranger

• Conservationists

• Ecologists

• Plant explorers

Best thing here is that career options for B. Sc (hons.) holders in Botany is not confined to India alone, there are wide range of job opportunities available for these professionals in foreign countries as well.