About the Department
In 1980, the Postgraduate Department of Zoology of the University undertook a sericulture research project with the fund allotted by the Government of Karnataka under Karnataka Sericulture Project (KSP) aided by World Bank. With this project one year ‘Post – Masters Diploma in Sericulture’ course was offered during 1982 – 89. In 1989 two years Master degree in Sericulture was commenced under the said project undertaken by Department of Zoology. Thereafter, a separate Department of Studies in Sericulture Science was established in 1991. Since then the department has been offering Masters and Ph. D. degrees in Sericulture. In the year 2009, MSc. Sericulture course was restructured as M.Sc. Sericulture and Seribiotechnology.
The infrastructure facilities are created by the funds of WB, CSB, UGC, CSIR, DST, DST-FIST and GOK. The Department is having classrooms with ICT facilities including online internet and student labs with basic facilities. It has a model silkworm rearing house, a mass rearing house and mulberry garden in 3.5 acres representing different cultivation technologies to support teaching and research. A total of 50 mulberry and 65 silkworm genotypes are maintained as germplasm stocks. Separate computer lab, library and museum facilities are also available to the post graduate students of the Department.
Currently, there are eight faculty members, 16 non-teaching staff and 21 research scholars in the department. Thus far, the department has produced about 370 M.Sc. and 50 Ph.D. degree holders. A number of alumni of the department have occupied leading positions as group A and B officers of government of Karnataka and Scientists in Central Silk Board, apart from becoming successful entrepreneurs. A few alumni of the department have been working in prestigious research laboratories abroad. The department is identified as a test center for authorization of silkworm breeds by the central Silk Board (Govt. of India) and recognized as adapted seed rearing center by the National Silkworm Seed Organization.

Faculty and Research Areas

Currently, the department offers the following programmes
1. M. Sc. Sericulture & Seribiotechnology (2 years - 4 Semesters - Choice Based Credit Scheme)
            Eligibility: B.Sc. with Sericulture as one of the cognate subjects or any Life Science / Biological Science / Agricultural Science subjects.

2. Ph. D. Sericulture (by Course and Research work)
3. PG Diploma in Organic Horticulture (1 year - 2 Semesters)
           Eligibility: 1. Candidate with a Bachelor’s Degree in Science from a recognized university.
                              2. The candidate must have scored a minimum of 45% marks in aggregate at graduation (Relaxable to 40% for SC & ST candidates or as per University Rules and Regulations).
                 

 Current Status of the Department

Medals / prizes for meritorious students
(For first rank holder in M.Sc. Sericulture & Seribiotechnology)

• Swan Silk Gold Medal
• Swan Silk Cash Prize
• Chickmagalur Chowdegowda Alias Puttaswamygowda Memorial Gold Medal

Awards / Honors / Patents Received by Teachers

Concluded Research Projects

On-going Research Projects

Best Practices in the department

• Imparting hands-on training to the students on mulberry cultivation, nursery management, composting and vermicomposting on scientific lines.

• Imparting hands-on training to the students on silkworm rearing, silkworm egg production and silk reeling on scientific lines.

• Transfer of knowledge on various sericulture technologies to the farmers through consultations.

• Demonstration of scientific and practical aspects of sericulture to the school and college students who frequently visit the department.

• Maintenance of a working model of bio-waste management through composting and vermicomposting – a service oriented programme in the campus of university.

• Arranging special lectures on sericulture and related fields at regular intervals for the benefit of all in the department.
• Career Opportunities

• M.Sc. Sericulture & Seribiotechnology

• Assistant Professors in Universities and Degree colleges.  
• Scientists in Central Silk Board and KSSR&DI, Bengaluru.
• Extension Officers in State Sericulture Departments.
• Researchers in R & D laboratories and pharmaceutical companies in India and abroad.
• Entrepreneurs in various aspects of sericulture by establishing kissan nurseries, silkworm egg production centres, chawki rearing centres and silk reeling, weaving handicraft and vermicomposting units.

• PG Diploma in Organic Horticulture

• Junior horticulturists, horticulture supervisors and horticulture assistants in government departments.
• Floriculturists, green house managers, farm managers, nursery managers, turf managers in private institutions as well as account executives / sales executives in horti-marketing houses, seed companies, etc.
• The course will also provide knowledge for self employment in farming activities and agri/horticultural business activities.
• Candidates with PGDOH can establish themselves as leading entrepreneurs or consultants to advocate organic horticulture.