Chairman

Professor Abdullah Al Masud

Zoology is the branch of biology that studies animals, hence, zoologists study animals and their equation with the environment. They study their physical characteristics, diets, and behaviors. They study various animals, both in their natural habitats and in captivity in zoos and aquariums. They may specialize in studying a particular animal or animal group. Efforts of a zoologist are also critical in protecting endangered species and other wildlife from habitat loss, disease, invasive species, and climate change.

Zoology is one of the most popular branches in Science that involves the study of animals and their biological processes. In our university, Zoology courses are offered at the graduate and postgraduate levels full-time. Students in this discipline are basically taught regarding animal classification, anatomy, physiology, biochemistry, genetics, evolution, ecology, behavior, and conservation etc. We have three specialized branches in M.Sc. level in our department such as, Entomology, Fisheries and Wildlife and Biodiversity Conservation. I started the branch of Wildlife and Biodiversity Conservation in 2009 in the department. Besides, we have a plan to open the branch of Genetics and Parasitology in near future.

Career options after pursuing a BSc (honors), MSc, M.Phil and Ph.D. in Zoology are varied. Students find opportunities in government departments, environmental agencies, universities, colleges, biotechnological, pharmaceutical, environmental/ecological fields as well as in Banking sectors.

Zoological Knowledge and theories are applicable to maintain health and to control the epidemic diseases. Protozoan and helminthes are responsible for causing many diseases. In addition, some animals act as vectors. The transference of disease producing parasites or their infective stages are performed by Anopheles (Malaria), sand-fly (kala-azar), Tse-tse (sleeping sickness), house-fly (typhoid).The control and cure of these diseases are studied by economic zoologists.

Agriculture is a part of applied Zoology. Various types of living organisms are closely associated in a particular environment. Earthworms being lower soil upwards so that air and water can enter properly. Similarly insects pollinate the flowers, bacteria decompose the dead animals and plants present in the soil which is absorbed by the plants. All these are important facts for agricultural science.

Insects destroy agricultural crops, domesticated animals and wood. The amount of harm caused by the insects is beyond our estimate. A variety of rodents eat considerable amount of grains and cereals both in the field and storage areas. These problems have been solved to great extent from the knowledge and application of zoological principles.

Various products of animals such as coral, pearl, honey, wax, silk, lac, shell of turtle, bones, feather, tusk, leather and fur are of high demand. These products can be increased from our knowledge of production of these items.

One of the most important uses of animals is as food. Almost in every phylum there are few species which form the food of man like lobsters, crabs, fishes, turtles, frogs, birds and mammals. We use various types of birds (chicken, fowl, duck, etc.) and mammals (goat, sheep, cow, buffalo, camel etc.) for our diet. The improvement of these animals is one of the major tasks of zoologists.

Application of zoological science in the field of fishers is well known. It is the study of economic zoology for the higher production of food crops and fisheries to meet the challenge of food shortage during recent times.