The Department of Botany traces its origin since 1979, under the headship of eminent Professor S. Arunachalam, with Mr. Balakrishnan as demonstrator. The department offers an Undergraduate program in Botany. Since its inception, the department was recognized for its teaching and well balanced curriculum having theory and practical oriented classes. The program was renamed in 2009 as Plant Biology and Plant Biotechnology after syllabus upgradation. The department educates and trains undergraduate students to become science professionals and informed global citizens.

The department has separate classrooms and well equipped laboratories in order to provide hands on training to students. The department is housed with a library and Herbarium to motivate students for higher studies.

The Botanical Association forum of the department organizes students meet, various competitions, Guest Lectures by experts from national/regional institutes and various other student development programs. Field visits are undertaken every year, and the students are encouraged to attend symposia, seminars and conference with proper guidance from the faculties.

The overall goal of Department of Plant Biology and Plant Bio technology is to impart quality education along with basic and applied aspects of Plant Science to demonstrate and promote creative, intellectual and positive relationships among students and faculty at entry-level for future application in the dynamic world, to eminent and researchers.

Importance is given for practical oriented education with ambient learning atmosphere and necessary facilities with classical Herbarium and a library with adequate books for students’ reference.

The department has separate classrooms and well equipped laboratories. Classes are handled with LCD projectors and Over Head projectors.

Laboratories are well eqipped with all the necessary equipments to provide hands on training to students during their practical sessions.

Events conducted by the Department

The Department of Plant Biology and Plant Biotechnology, organized a One day Workshop on Edible Mushroom Cultivation on February 2017. The workshop was presided and inaugurated by our college Secretary, Trust board members and Principal. The chief guest was Dr.M. Devanathan, Professor and Head, Information and Training Centre, TNAU, Chennai and V. Ragupathi, Mushroom Cultivation Expert, RKM Vivekanadha College, served as the resource person.

• 2016 March – Ms. Subashree Vijay, Managing Director, ATRI Health Products, Chennai, Gave a Special lecture to the students on Entrepreneurship and importance of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants.
• 2017 March – Prof.B. Parthasarathy, former Prof. and Head, Department of Botany, Sir Theagaraya College gave a Special lecture to the students on Importance of Biodiversity and its impact on climate change.
• 2018 March – Dr.K. Mathivanan, Assistant Professor, Department of Botany, Government Arts College, Nandhanam, Chennai, gave a Special lecture to the students on Career in Kitchen Gardening and Landscaping.
• 2019 February – Dr.P. Girivasan, Associate Professor, Department of Botany, Government Arts College, Nandhanam, Chennai gave an inspiring talk on natural plant products and career prospects in Biological Sciences.
• 2019 March – Dr.K. Mathivanan, Assistant Professor, Department of Botany. Government Arts College, Nandhanam, Chennai gave a lecture on Plant nutrition and scope and opportunities in Bio-fertilizer production Technology.

Awards received by students

• Ms. D. Bhavani was the University First Rank holder in UG Botany Degree Examination May 2019. She received the University Gold medal from Honourable Governor of TamilNadu.

Project received by Staff Member

• Dr. S. P. Kamala Nalini, received a Minor Research Project {FRMP – 6368/16 (UGC – SERO)} from University Grants Commission titled “Biosynthesis of Silver and Gold Nano particles from Plant Extracts and their Antimicrobial Activities in Textile Application for the Production of Antimicrobial Fabrics”. The Project was successfully completed.