• The Department of Botany was established in 1965 when the college was affiliated to the University of Pune and was later on affiliated to the University of Mumbai in 1976-77.
• Late Prof. K R Joshi was the founder Head of the Department till his retirement in 1999.
• Dr. Mrs. Savithry V. Namboothiry M.Sc; Ph.D; B.Ed, was the Head of the department from 1999 to October 2009.
• The department imparts teaching at undergraduate level and guides students for M.Sc by research and Ph.D.
• The Botanical Research Wing was established in 2007 with the inauguration of the new Research Laboratory on 20th April 2007.
• Six students are doing research work at present—three for M.Sc. and three others for Ph.D.
• The major areas of research are Tissue Culture, Phytochemical Analysis, Stress Physiology, Phytoremediation and Fungi.
• The department organized a Workshop on “Revised Syllabus for S.Y.B.Sc”. in 2003.

Highlights

• Fabulous Research Lab fully equipped with modern facilities and instruments.
• Botanical garden with isolated area for medicinal plants
• The department is a regular recipient of various grants from the University of Mumbai and the University Grants Commission.
• This is the only department in the college where all the six permanent lady teachers are designated Readers and all are Ph.D. degree holders.
• Many of our teachers have either given talks on various subjects in All India Radio, authored text-books, presented papers in seminars and symposia or published articles in print media.
• The teachers of the department constantly and continuously update their knowledge and skills by frequently attending and conducting Refresher courses, Workshops, Seminars, Symposia, Talks and Debates.

The Teaching faculty

• Out of the total ten members of the teaching faculty, six are permanent teachers and the rest four are working on Clock-Hour-Basis.
• Five out of the six permanent teachers are university-recognized research guides for M.Sc. and Ph.D.
• All the six permanent teachers are involved in undergraduate and postgraduate teaching.
• All the six permanent teachers have put in more than 25 years of service in teaching, with the HOD and another senior teacher having more than 31 years of teaching experience.

The Non Teaching Faculty

The non-teaching faculty consists of nine members including lab assistants, lab attendant and a field collector.

Courses Offered

The department offers undergraduate course leading to B.Sc in Botany. The department also guides students for research work leading to M.Sc and Ph.D.

Excellence and Awards

• The department has a rich tradition of academic and extra-curricular excellence. Very good results in the final examinations are being maintained every year.
• Two of our research students have proven their extra-curricular talents and have won gold medals in power-lifting at national meets and represented the country at international level

Teaching Faculty:

Dr. Bhavna. M. Motwani, M.Sc. Ph.D., Reader and Head of Department, joined the college in 1978 and has completed 31 years of service. She has completed one Minor Research Project under UGC. She was appointed a member the Examination Vigilance Squad of the University of Mumbai in 2006. She was the chairperson of the Science Association, has conducted lectures on Climate Changes in Somaiya and Bandodkar Colleges. She is a recognized guide for M.Sc. and Ph.D. by research.

Major Dr.Jasmine J. Patil, MSc, PhD, Reader, joined the college in July 1981 and has completed 29 years of service. She has completed one Minor Research Project under the University of Mumbai and has attended many workshops and seminars. She is guiding 3 research students for M.Phil. degree in Environmental Sciences , YCMOU. She is recognized research guide for M.Sc. and Ph.D. degree in Botany of Mumbai University.

She is NCC Coy Commander and founder of Girl’s NCC Unit of College. She has been awarded 2 medals from Deputy General NCC (DG NCC). She was selected to attend 25 National and State level Camps of Army, Air and Naval using an Adjutant, Training Officer and Contingent Commander of Maharashtra State.

Dr. Aruna Rai M.Sc. D.H.E. M.Phil. Ph.D. ,Reader, joined the college in 1981 and has completed 28 years of service. She was appointed a member the Examination Vigilance Squad of the University of Mumbai in 2006 and a member of the Syllabus Committee (From F.Y. to M.Sc. from 2000- to date). She has completed two Minor Research Projects under the University and two other MRPs under UGC. She has co-authored 3 Text books for undergraduate students and has presented 13 and published 3 papers on Botanical subjects in various publications. She was the Chairperson of the College Examination Committee in 2005 and regularly works for College Admission Committee. She is one of the judges for inter-collegiate Elocution competition in R J College. She has completed two refresher courses and has attended many workshops and seminars.

She is recognized Ph.D. guide in Botany. Presently 3 Ph.D. students are registered under her guidance. She is active member of Science Association and Admission Committee.

Dr. Vandana Mansharamani M.Sc. D.H.E. Ph.D. Dr. Vandana Mansharamani joined the college in August 1985 and has completed 24 years of service. She has completed two refresher courses and has attended 3 workshops, 4 seminars and 2 conferences.

Dr. Sharda Vaidya M.Sc. M.Phil. Ph. D., Reader, joined the college in 1985 and has completed 24 years of service. She was a member of the Organizing Committee of the Seminar on Animal House held at the college in 2007. She has conducted lectures on Herbal Remedy at Smt. C.H.M. and KC Colleges.

She has completed 6 minor research projects, out of which 2 are from UGC and others are from University of Mumbai. She was on FIP from August 2004 to August 2006. She has attended many seminars, workshops and short term courses. She has published 2 papers and presented 3 posters. She is active member of Science Association and is a member of Admission Committee for last 4 years. She conducted a one day workshop for teachers in Saraswati High School, Naigaum on 12th November 2008 and was the Chief Guest of the Intra-Collegiate Science Exhibition at K. M. Agarwal College, Kalyan, on 13th December 2008. She was a member of the Evaluation Committee of the Dr. Homi Bhabha Bal Vaidyanik Competition twice.

There are 4 lecturers working as CHBs in Botany Department. Mrs. Rajani V. Nangare has completed her M.Sc. and is currently doing her Ph. D. in Plant Tissue Culture from University of Mumbai. Ms. Rakia M. Peshimam is M.Sc. B.Ed. and currently pursuing her M.Phil.in Environmental Sciences fromYCMOU. Ms. Hareeshma Prabalan and Ms. Misbah H. Shaikh have finished their M.Sc. At present they are doing a one year course in Horticulture from B.N. Bandodkar College, Thane.

As we go online…
We bid a fond farewell to Dr. Mrs. Savithry V. Namboothiry, M.Sc; Ph.D; B.Ed. who joined the college in 1978, became Head of the Department in 1999 and has just retired in October 2009.. She is a recognized guide for M.Sc by research and Ph.D. under the University of Mumbai and a research guide for M.Phil under YCMOU. She has been the course co-ordinator for M.Phil (EVS).for YCMOU. She was appointed chairperson of the Examination Vigilance Squad of the University of Mumbai in 2006 and was a member of the Syllabus Committee for Ecology (from F.Y to M.Sc.) of the University of Mumbai. She was appointed vice-chancellor’s nominee (Subject Expert in Botany) in various colleges on many occasions and was also appointed by the university as a member of the Local Inquiry Committee (LIC). of a college. She has broadcast talks on various scientific topics on several occasions through All India Radio. She was the Principal Investigator for two minor research projects under the University of Mumbai. She was the NSS Programme Officer of the college for three years, chairperson of the Science Association and the library Committee of the college for some time and has served as a member of the Organising Committee of the International Conference in the college conducted by WSC. She was a resource person for the two-day workshop on Adolescence and Health organized by the WSC and the Ulhasnagar Municipal Council in 2008. She was in the judging panel of inter-collegiate Elocution Competition in R J College. She has attended two Refresher Courses and many workshops and seminars, including a 4-day Workshop on “Leadership Building” organized by the University of Mumbai College Principals’ Association from 1 to 4th June, 2008.