Only 4 applicants for Bio Sciences in M'lore varsity

Since its inception in 1969, it never faced a problem except in 1983

Ever since the department was set up in 1969, it never faced any problem with regard to number of students except in the 1983-85 batch when it had just eight students.
However, this year (2011-12), the department has created a history of sorts with a lone application till the last date for receiving the application. Left with no choice, the department extended the last date and advertised again inviting applications for the course.

As a result, the department received three more applications, taking the total number of applications received this year to four as against the total 24 seats (16 regular seats including three reserved seats and eight payment seats).

Good scope

In fact, in 2009-10, the department had received as many as 74 applications for 28 seats and in 2010-11, the department had received 37 applications.

Though there is a very good scope for Bio-Sciences graduates across the world and many students have been adorning top positions in premier research institutions including the
Indian Institute of Sciences (IISc), University of Texas and University of California, lack of applications has been a cause for concern.

When contacted, Mangalore University Bio-Sciences Department Head Dr M Rajshekar opined that absence of the subject (Bio-Sciences) in Karnataka Public Service Commissions list of subjects, may be one of the reasons for the less number of applications.

He explained that a post graduate in Bio-Sciences can also teach Botany as well as Zoology in undergraduate and PU colleges.

On the other hand, Mangalore University Vice Chancellor Prof T C Shivashankar Murthy said that the problem (of lack of students for the course) is not limited to Mangalore University alone.

Departments closed

“Ever since Bio Technology, Applied Botany and Applied Zoology courses have been started, many universities including Mysore University, Bangalore University and Karnatak University have closed the Bio Science department,” he said.

He further said if the Bio Sciences department does not get the required number of students (5 is mandatory) by August 12 (the last date to apply for the course), then the students may be asked to take up Applied Botany or Bio Technology courses.

There are more than 180 colleges under the purview of Mangalore University in Dakshina Kannada, Udupi and Kodagu districts.