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University Departments
 


University Departments of Teaching & Research

       Location
1. Department of Aquatic Biology & Fisheries University Campus, Kariavattom
Thiruvananthapuram,
Pin: 695 581
2.Department of Arabic  
3. Department of Archaeology
University Campus, Kariavattom
Thiruvananthapuram,
Pin: 695 581
4.Department of Biotechnology
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5.Department of Biochemistry
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6. Department of Botany University Campus, Kariavattom, Thiruvananthapuram,
Pin: 695 581
7.Department of Chemistry
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8.Department of Commerce Senate House Campus, Thiruvananthapuram, Pin: 695 034
9. Department of Communication &     Journalism University Campus, Kariavattom, Thiruvananthapuram,
Pin: 695 581
10. Department of Computer Science
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11.Department of Demography
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12. Department of Economics
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13. Department of Education Thycaud, Thiruvananthapuram, Pin: 695 014
14. Institute of English Senate House Campus, Thiruvananthapuram, Pin: 695 034
15. Department of Environmental Sciences Gandhi Bhavan,University Campus Kariavattom,Thiruvananthapuram, Pin: 695 581
16. Department of Futures Studies Senate House Campus, Thiruvananthapuram, Pin: 695 034
17. Department of Geology University Campus, Kariavattom, Thiruvananthapuram,
Pin: 695 581
18. Department of German Senate House Campus, Thiruvananthapuram, Pin: 695 034
19. Department of Hindi University Campus, Kariavattom, Thiruvananthapuram,
Pin: 695 581
20. Department of History
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21. Institute of Distance Education
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22. Institute of Management in Kerala (IMK) Senate House Campus, Thiruvananthapuram, Pin: 695 034
23. Department of Islamic Studies
University Campus, Kariavattom, Thiruvananthapuram,
Pin: 695 581
24. Department of Law University Campus, Kariavattom, Thiruvananthapuram,
Pin: 695 581
25. Department of Library & Information Science University Library Building,
Thiruvananthapuram,
Pin: 695 034
26. Department of Linguistics University Campus, Kariavattom, Thiruvananthapuram,
Pin: 695 581
27. Department of Malayalam
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28. Department of Mathematics
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29. Department of Music
30. Department of Optoelectronics University Campus, Kariavattom, Thiruvananthapuram,
Pin: 695 581
31. Oriental Research Institute &       Manuscripts Library
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32. Department of Philosophy
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33. Department of Physics
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34. Department of Political Science
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35. Department of Psychology
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36. Department of Russian Senate House Campus, Thiruvananthapuram, Pin: 695 034
37. Department of Sanskrit University Campus, Kariavattom, Thiruvananthapuram,
Pin: 695 581
38. Department of Sociology
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39. Department of Statistics
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40. Department of Tamil
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41. Department of Zoology University Campus, Kariavattom
Thiruvananthapuram,
Pin: 695 581

1.University Departments of Teaching & Research
Department of Aquatic Biology & Fisheries
Professor & Head of the Department Dr. K. Dhevendran
Tel:0471-2412434, 04651 273287(R)
Professor  
Readers Dr. N.K. Balasubramanian
Dr. S.D. Ritakumari
Dr. Tresa Victoria Fernandez
Lecturers Dr. S. Radhakrishnan
Dr. K. Padmakumar
Courses offered & seats allotted M.Sc.(10)
M.Phil.
Ph.D.(10)
Areas of Research Aquatic Ecology
Aquaculture Microbiology
Fish and Shellfish diseases


The Department of Aquatic Biology & Fisheries was established in 1938 as a research center. The department was later identified by UGC for its DRS (1978), DSA (1985) and COSIST (1996) programmes. The department has taken up research schemes and environmental studies funded by various international and national agencies like Government of Netherlands’s IRDC, NTPC, WAPCOS, KSEB, UGC, CSIR, DOD, Department of Fisheries etc.

The thrust areas of research works conducted by the Department during the past years were:-

  • Detailed ecological investigation on Ashtamudi, Kadinamkulam, Paravoor, Veli estuarine systems and on various freshwater bodies, man-made reservoirs, village ponds and selected rivers. Investigations on the extent and nature of pollution in the inland and coastal water bodies of Kerala.
  • Research on various aspects of Aquaculture like nutrition, physiology, pathology and genetics of various fishes and prawns.
  • Production of antibiotics by microbes, particularly from stretomycetes of marine environment against known pathogens of human and fish origin. The L-asparoginaset isolated from streptomycetes is of pharmaceutical importance in tests against cancerous cells. 

 

2. Department of Arabic
Head of the Department Dr. A.Ubaid
Tel:0471 2412546 (R) 2753163
Courses offered M.A -10
Ph.D-5
PG Diploma in Functional Arabic
MPhill
 
3. Department of Archaeology
Prof & Head of the Department Dr.G. Ajit Kumar
Tel:0471-2412053(O); 0471-2413690(R)
Courses Offered M.A in Archaeology

The Department of Archaeology was established in 1997. The department is presently engaged in developing a full-fledged Archaeological library.

 
4. Department of Biotechnology
Reader & Head of the Department Dr. G. M Nair (I/c)
Tel: 0471-2418778(O), 2595827
Lecturer Dr. A Jayakumaran Nair
Courses offered M.Sc. Biotechnology
Ph.D. Biotechnology
Short term training course on Bacteriological Quality of Drinking Water (as an Extension Programme)
Number of Research Students 6


The Department of Biotechnology was established in 1995. It offers all basic laboratory facilities for doctoral research programmes. The department has an extension wing on Bacteriology quality drinking water-testing and training center facility.

The department in collaboration with Intermediate Technology Development Group, UK, trained the Women's council members of Pulluvila,a fishing village in Thiruvananthapuram, in testing well-water samples for potability. Necessary theory classes were also offered to make them aware of the modes of transmission of waterborne infections like typhoid, cholera, dysentery, jaundice etc... and the ways to prevent contamination of water.

The thrust areas of research works conducted by the Department were:-

  • Search for potent microorganisms synthesizing industrially important products and those generating fuel and biofertilizers from biomass.
 
5. Department of Biochemistry
Professor & Head of the Department Dr.P.R.Sudhakaran
Tel.0471-2418078(O) 2432514(R)
Professors Dr.T. Rajamohan
Reader Dr. Annie Abraham
Emeritus Scientist Prof.(Dr.)R. Kaleysa Raj
Lecturers Dr M Indira
Dr A Helen
Dr Arun A Rauf
Technical Officer  
Courses offered & seats allotted M.Sc.(14 - Two seats for students from other States)
M.Phil. (Biochemistry)(6)
Ph.D.
Areas of Research Experimental atherosclerosis and allied diseases
Experimental diabetes and allied diseases
Biochemistry and Immunology of parasites/filariasis
Matrix Biology
Cell surface Macromolecules and cellular interaction
Environmental Biochemistry & Biochemical toxicology
Micronutrients in health and disease
Bioactive substances of natural origin.
Number of PhDs awarded About 100
Number of papers published About 600


Started as a unit of the Department of Chemistry in 1961, it became a full-fledged department in 1970. This is one of the few earlier departments in India that provided formal teaching in Biochemistry. The department has fairly well equipped research laboratories with facility for tissue culture, radio-tracer works and animal house. The department provides sophisticated biochemical testing service for disease and diagnosis particularly for genetic diseases.

It has organized a number of international and national conferences, workshops and short-term courses. Apart from undertaking research programmes funded various national and international organisations the department is presently engaged in a Rs.100,00,000 research project.

The thrust areas of research works conducted by the department during the past years were:-

  • Research on problems of human relevance like biochemical basis of diseases such as Atherosclerosis, Diabetes and filariasis, micronutrients, environmental biochemistry and toxicology, cellular biochemistry and alcoholism.
 
6. Department of Botany
Professor & Head of the Department Dr. G.M Nair
Tel: 0471 2418301 2595827
gmnair@rediffmail.com
Professors Dr.N.Omanakumari
Dr. Ashalatha S. Nair.
Readers Dr. Ashalatha S. Nair.
Lecturers Smt. P.M. Radhamani
Dr S Suhara Beevi
Dr A Gangaprasad
Courses offered & seats allotted M.Sc.(Genetics & Plant Breeding) (12 seats)
M.Phil. ( 9 seats)
Ph.D. (32 seats)
Areas of Research Cytotaxonomy
Palynology
Biotechnology
Tissue culture
Molecular Biology
Number of PhDs awarded 65
Number of papers published 950
Number of books published 6


The Department of Botany has many important and rare plants of medicinal importance, valuable Pteriodophytes and wild varieties of some of the cultivated Cereals collected from almost all parts of Kerala and Tamil Nadu. It also maintains three green houses that preserve plants of rare and exquisite nature. The department has well-established Tissue Culture Laboratories, Gamma Shine unit, Molecular Biology Laboratory and a library that subscribes to a number of journals of international repute.

The thrust areas of research works conducted by the Department during the past years were:-

* Cytology, Cytotaxonomy and allied areas.

* Chromosome studies were accomplished in most of the plants in the Garden.

* Selections of cell-lines for high product yield, disease resistance, amino acid overproduction, and salinity tolerance have been carried out on a wide spectrum of species.

* A UGC aided research programme in Molecular biology.

* The mutation studies carried out at the Gamma Shine unit.

 
7. Department of Chemistry
Professor & Head of the Department

Dr. K.N. Rajasekharan
Tel: 0471-2418782,2444773(R)

Professor Dr. P. Indrasenan
Reader Dr. T.S. Anirudhan
Dr. P.K. Rajan (on leave)
Dr. T Radhakrishnan (on leave)
Lecturers Dr. S.M.A Shibli
Courses offered M.Sc. (Chemistry under CSS with specialisation in Analytical / Inorganic / Organic / Polymer/ Physical Chemistry)

M.Phil.
(Inorganic/ Organic/Physical Chemistry)

Ph.D.
(Analytical/Environmental/Inorganic/ Organic/Polymer/Physical Chemistry)
Number of Seats for M.Sc. 25
Number of Seats for M.Phil 9
Number of Research Students 45
Number of PhDs awarded 136
Number of papers published About 500

The Department of Chemistry was established in 1937. Both the teaching staff and students of this department have attained excellent positions. Two staff members got the prestigious Humbolt Foundation Fellowships and three got UNESCO Fellowships. 

The thrust areas of research works conducted by the Department during the past years were:-
(a) Coordination chemistry
(b) Thermal decomposition of solids
(c) Redox titrimetry in aqueous media
(d) Pharmaceutical analysis
(e) Photochemistry
(f) Organic synthesis
(g) Heterocyclic chemistry
(h) Chemical kinetics
(i) Water quality management
(j) Corrosion management
(k) Renewal energy sources.

 
8. Department of Commerce
Professor & Head of the Department Dr. M Sarngadharan
0471-2306422,Extn 366,2593578(R)
Professor Dr. K Sasikumar
Readers Dr. C. Ganesh
Dr. S. Rasia Beegam
Lecturers Dr. Gabriel Simon Thattil
Dr. G. Raju
Courses offered & seats M.Com.(25 seats)
M.Phil.(9 seats)
Ph.D. (56 seats)
PGDT (Evening class; 30 seats; Admission through Test)
Areas of Research Finance, Marketing, Banking, Co-operation, Rural Development, General Management
Number of PhDs awarded 38
Number of M.Phil awarded 48

The Department of Commerce was established in 1986. It has the distinction of organising five national workshops - Real Economic Order, Commerce curriculum Design, Export Promotion, Women Entrepreneurship and Recent Trends in Banking.

The department proposes to introduce Masters programme in International Business and will soon launch postgraduate diplomas in Taxation Management, Entrepreneurship Development and Computerised Accounting.

 
9. Department of Communication & Journalism
Reader & Head of the Department Dr. K.Subash
Tel: 0471-2418013, 2559100
Lecturers Smt. Rekha M. Sasidharan
Shri. M. Vijayakumar
Shri. K.V. Ramankutty
Shri. P.V Yaseen
Shri. V.K. Jotheendrakumar
Courses offered M.C.J. (Master of Communication & Journalism)
Ph.D
Number of Seats for M.C.J 20
No: of Research Students
Full time
Part time



2
4


The Department of Communication & Journalism was started in 1976. The department has established a Film Study center approved by UGC and conducts the 'Swadeshabhimani Memorial Annual Lecture'.

The department has audiovisual equipment such as video camera, overhead project, Epidiascope, PA system, tape recorders etc. To help the students of photo journalism there is a full-fledged photographic unit, darkroom, still cameras, etc.

Number of PhDs awarded: 3

Departmental Publications: Two lab tabloid newspapers (since 1978) namely Kalari in Malayalam and Univ Voice in English and a professional research journal Indian Journal of Communication.

 
10. Department of Computer Science
Professor & Head of the Department Dr.M.R.Kaimal
Ph: 0471-2416360 (R) 2357942
Email: dcsku@md2.vsnl.net.in
Professor Dr.K.Revathy
Dr. M. Wilscy    Ph: 0474 711752 (R)
Reader Dr. Liza Jo (on leave)
Sr.Lecturer Dr. Achuth Sankar.S.Nair
Lecturer Sri. S. Aji   Ph: 635703 (R)
Sri. D. M. N. Mubaraq    Ph: 635703 (R)
Programmers Shri.N.Padmanabhan
Shri. A. Mohammed Basheer
Technical Assistant Smt..Jayamol Mathews
Courses offered & seats allotted M.Tech (Computer Science ) - 25 seats
M.Sc. (Computer Science) - 8 seats
Ph.D (Computer Science)
Areas of Research Neural Networks
Neuro Fuzzy Control Systems
Computer Networking
Image processing
Data Compression, Genetic Algorithms
Number of PhDs awarded 5
Number of Research Scholars
Full time
Part time


4
10

The Department of Computer Science, established in 1985, now enjoys a unique position among the University and other advanced Institutions offering Computer Science and Information Technology programmes in the State. The Department, under the Credit and Semester Scheme, updates its syllabi every year and hence is able to attract young talents from all over the country. The newly started M.Tech. programme is designed to meet the growing demand in highly specialized areas like intelligent systems, image processing and advanced software design.

The publications from the department have appeared in reputed journals like the Computer Journal (U.K.). Two important research projects of national importance are in progress in the Department which are funded by Department of Space (Govt. of India) and DST (Govt. of India).

The Department has established very good computing Laboratories to support its academic programmes in addition, it maintains a good library,partially automated at present,which delivers services from COPSAT, FTJS and SOAS. The Department has undertaken collaborative programmes with leading institutions like VSSC, E.R & D.C, R.R.L and the Software Technology Park etc., to fulfill its commitment to the cause of academic progress.

 
11. Department of Demography
Professor & Head of the Department DR.Jyothikamalam
Tel: 0471-2418057(O)
Reader  
Sel. Gr. Lecturers Dr.K.Jyothikamalam
Smt.S.Sulaja
Sr. Gr. Lecturer Dr.P.Mohanachandran Nair
Areas of research Fertility, Migration, Family Panning, Population & Development.
Number of Seats for M.Sc 12
" ................" .....for M.Phil. 6
Number of Research Students
Full time
Part time

12
9
Number PhDs awarded 17
Departmental Publications Frequently publishes survey reports conducted by PRC.
An international journal Janasamkhya which is a biannual.

University of Kerala has the distinction of being the first University in India to introduce Demography as a scientific discipline at the postgraduate level in 1963. A Government of India scheme Population Research Centre (PRC) is actively functioning under the department, conducting surveys in Family Welfare, Material and Child Health, Reproductive Health and so on.

Initially it functioned as part of the Department of Statistics. It became a full-fledged Department of Demography and Population Studies in 1979 and was renamed Department of Demography in 1997.

 
12. Department of Economics
Professor & Head of the Department Dr. B.Alwin Prakash
Tel: 0471-2418309(O) 2435985(R)
Professors

Dr. M.Kunhaman

Lecturers Dr. M.K Saralamma
Shri. A.K. Prasad
Courses offered M.A.
M.Phil.
Ph.D
Areas of Research Gender Studies, Kerala Economy, Labour Economics, International Trade, Development Economics, Demogrphic Changes
Number of Seats for M.A 25
Number of Seats for M.Phil. 7
PhDs awarded 40
M.Phil degrees awarded About 100

The Department of Economics was started in 1959. It was the first to offer specialized courses in Mathematical, Statistical and Eco Methods at the postgraduate level. The department is implementing a massive research project sponsored by the Union Ministry of Agriculture named the Comprehensive Scheme for the Study on Cost of Cultivation of Principal Crops covering paddy, tapioca, coconut and pepper. 

The department has a conference hall with PA system and OHP and a library with 10496 books, 10 Indian journals and 5 foreign journals. The department has hosted a number of workshops and seminars like New Frontiers in Economics (1988), 72nd Annual Conference of Indian Economics Association (1989), national seminars on Structural Adjustment and India's Economics reforms in 1992 and in 1994 respectively, 39th Indian Labour Economics Conference in 1998 etc.

Areas of research activities:
Land reclamation in Kuttanad,  Burden of Taxation, Cost of Higher Education, Asian Migration, Utilization of Foreign Remittances, Industrial Relations and Economics of pepper production.

 
13. Department of Education
Professor & Head of the Department Dr. P.Viswanathan Nair
Tel: 0471-2323718(O);0471- 2322347(R)
Readers Dr. J. Exemmal
Dr.Theresa Susan A.
Sr. Lecturers Dr. R. Sujatha Rani
Lecturer Dr.Theresa Susan A.
Courses offered M.Ed.
M.Phil. (Education & Higher Education)
Ph.D. (Full time & part time)
Number of Seats for M.Ed. 39
Number of Research Students
M.Phil.(Full-time)
Ph.D. (Full-time)
Ph.D. (Part time)


2
8
9
PhDs awarded 150
M.Phil degrees awarded 85
Number of papers brought out About 1300
Areas of Research Curriculum Development
Educational Technology
Learning and Achievement Correlated

The Department of Education was started in 1969 and with the launch of Ph.D. programme it became one of the earliest University Departments in India to do so. The department has been recognized by the UGC for its high standards of teaching and research and has been identified for the DSA scheme (1986), as national Centre for Curriculum Development in Education (1986) and for instituting ASARCO fellowship (1988).

The department has a library with 20,000 volumes with 1,300 theses making it a reference center for students from all over the country. It has a Test Material Center which is being built up and when completed may be the only one in South India. The department provides extension and consultancy services mainly in curriculum development and evaluations within the state and outside. It has a very strong Ph.D. programme and a video laboratory. It has conducted over 25 state and national seminars and completed six research projects.

 
14. Institute of English

Institute of English

Professor and Head

Dr.A.Jameela Beegum
Tel: 0471-2306422-325(O),2725475(R)

Professors

Dr. V. Rajakrishnan
Dr. Jancy George (on deputation as Vice Chancellor, M. G.                            University, Kottayam)
Dr. Maya Dutt
Dr. Evangeline Shanti Roy

Reader

Dr.G.S.Jayasree

   

Areas of research

British Literature
American, Canadian and Australian Literature
Commonwealth / Diaspora Literature
Film Studies
English Language Teaching
New Literatures, Gender Studies, Modern Literary Theory, Indian Writing.

Courses offered & seats allotted

M.A (25 seats)
M.Phil. (12 seats)
PG Diploma in English for Communication (25 seats)

Centres and their Directors:
UGC Area Study Centre for Canadian Studies – Dr. Jameela Begum A
Centre for Australian Studies – Dr. Jameela Begum A.
Centre for English Language Teaching – Dr. Jameela Begum A.
Centre for Comparative Literature – Dr. V. Rajakrishnan
Centre for Women’s Studies – Dr. G. S. Jayasree

Profile of the Institute of English
The Institute of English, University of Kerala, Thiruvananthapuram was established in 1962 for giving leadership in the field of teaching and research in English Language and Literature in the state of Kerala. The academically rigorous curriculum at the Institute enables students to combine serious theoretical study with meaningful learning experiences. Whatever graduate students choose, they acquire a solid foundation in the liberal arts and pursue in-depth study in their chosen fields. The Institute’s unique core curriculum, its emphasis on the practical application and knowledge of the language prepare students to be major contributors in their fields. The traditional Kerala architectural styled building of the Institute, its Senate House Campus and location adds charm. Today, the Institute of English is the nerve centre of English teaching and research in Kerala.Established at the CMS College Kottayam in 1962, the Institute was shifted to the present venue in 1964. The Institute was chosen for the University Leadership Programme of the UGC for three years considering the contributions of the department to the field of higher education. The Certificate Course in Italian conducted by the Institute is the first of its kind in Kerala. There are five Centres attached to the Institute of English – the UGC Area Study Centre for Canadian Studies, the Centre for Comparative Literature, the Centre for Australian Studies, the Centre for Women’s Studies and the Centre for English Language Teaching.

Curricular Aspects
The Curriculum of the Institute of English is designed to offer diversity and flexibility to learners. The Institute offers an MA course (4 semesters) in English Language and Literature, an MPhil course (2 semesters) and Doctoral programme. The Institute encourages interdisciplinary research in new areas including Women’s Studies, Film Studies, Translation Studies and Comparative Studies. Taking into account the need of the times, a part-time PG Diploma Course in English for Communication (32 weeks) is being offered. The Institute has also offered a Certificate Course in Spoken English (48 hours) as well as a Certificate Course (24 weeks) for the study of the Italian Language, which attracted many Italian language enthusiasts.

Compatibility of Programmes with Goals and Objectives
The MA programme, which was recently revised with UGC guidelines in mind, focuses on the Literature of Great Britain from the earliest times onwards, culminating in the latest trends in twentieth century literature, with Electives chosen from a wide spectrum ranging from New Literatures and Diasporic Writings, Comparative Literature, Women’s Writing, English Language Teaching, Linguistics. It is felt that the proposed projects will considerably enhance the research possibilities and curriculum content of the MA as well as MPhil programmes. The students are also encouraged to choose from among a set of interdisciplinary electives such as German, Russian, Computer Applications, Library Science, and Philosophy. The MA programme is tailored to meet the specific requirements of candidates appearing for the UGC National Eligibility Test and similar national level examinations. It lays stress in student participation in the classrooms and excellent training in research is given to students by making them write term papers, and a dissertation based on which a viva is conducted. The MPhil programme attracts students not only from Kerala, but also from neighbouring states. The PG Diploma Course in English for Communication is a boon to graduates and professionals like doctors, engineers and lawyers aspiring to master the skills of the English Language. The Doctoral programme at the Institute of English has the largest number of FIP candidates in the University of Kerala, and the topics selected for research reflect a wide range of interests. The Institute has already trained over 150 MPhil and 100 PhD candidates. The department also has many publications as well as a Departmental Journal titled The New Frontier. There is a good library with over 18000 volumes and 10 foreign and Indian journals. The library has UGC INFLIBNET. The Library is also in the process of being computerized.

 
15. Department of Environmental Sciences
Professor & Head of the Department Dr.V.Sobha
Tel. 0471- 2415106(O) 2473866(R)
Professor Dr.V.R Prakasam
Lecturers

Dr.Salom Gnana Thanga
Dr. D.S.Jaya
Dr.Sabu Joseph

Courses offered M.Sc.
M.Phil
Ph.D
Areas of research Environment Analysis
Number of Seats for M.Sc 6
Number of seats for M.Phil. 6
Number of Research Students

13

The Department of Environmental Sciences is a teaching cum research and development centre. This department has participated in various national and international seminars and conferences.

Areas of research: Environmental Monitoring, Environmental Modeling, Environmental Management, Environmental Toxicology, EIA studies, Resources management, Aquaculture, Fisheries, Algology, Vermi Composing, System Modeling, Biotreatment etc.

 
16. Department of Futures Studies ..............................
Professor & Head of the Department Dr. V. Nandamohan
Tel: 0471-2305321(O); 0471-2324449(R)
Sr. Lecturer Dr. Manoj Changat
Tel: 0471-439671
Courses offered M.Tech (IT,Technology Management)
Master of Tourism Administration
M.Phil
Seats for M.Phil 12
Seats for MTA 20

The Department of Futures Studies, instituted in 1990 by the UGC and the Department of Science and Technology, is one of the premier departments of the University of Kerala specializing in interdisciplinary studies. The Department is offering two post graduate courses,

M.Tech (Technology management) and MTA. The minimum qualification for M.Tech is a B.Tech in any branch with at least 55% marks. Those who have GATE scores will be preferred. For MTA, the minimum qualification is a graduate degree in any discipline with at least 55% marks. The Department is also offering an interdisciplinary M.Phil programme in Futures Studies and Ph.D programme.