BHU BSc Botany Syllabus 2026: Semester-Wise Subjects, Topics & Exam Pattern
The BHU BSc Botany syllabus is divided into six semesters and covers core areas such as Cryptogams, Phanerogams, Ecology, Plant Physiology, Biochemistry, Microbiology, Genetics and Biotechnology, along with practical work and field study.
The BHU BSc Botany syllabus is designed to provide you with a detailed understanding of plant diversity, structure, reproduction, physiology, ecology, genetics, microbiology and biotechnology. The B.Sc. (Hons.) Botany programme is divided into six semesters, with each semester covering theory and practical components.
In the initial semesters, students study areas such as Cryptogams, Microbiology, Plant Pathology, Cytology, Genetics and Phanerogams. The later semesters focus on Ecology, Plant Physiology, Biochemistry, Comparative Botany, Plant Metabolism, Biotechnology, Cytogenetics and Evolutionary Processes. Practical courses are included throughout the programme, along with a field study in Semester VI.
BHU BSc Botany Syllabus 2026: Overview
The BHU B.Sc. (Hons.) Botany programme covers the study of plants and related areas such as Cryptogams, Phanerogams, Ecology, Plant Physiology, Biochemistry, Microbiology, Plant Pathology, Genetics and Biotechnology. The course is spread across six semesters and includes theory, practical work and field study.
| Particulars | Details |
| University | Banaras Hindu University (BHU) |
| Programme | B.Sc. (Hons.) Botany |
| Subject | Botany |
| Course Duration | 3 Years |
| Number of Semesters | 6 |
| Total Credits | 64 |
| Course Components | Theory, Practical Work and Field Study |
| Field Study | Included in Semester VI |
BHU BSc Botany Syllabus 2026
The detailed BHU BSc Botany syllabus is given below semester-wise, including theory topics and practical courses.
| Semester | Course Code & Course Name | Syllabus |
| Semester I | BOB101: Cryptogams | The course covers the general classification, structure, reproduction and life history of representative cryptogams. Section A: Algae1. Main characteristics of Chlorophyceae, Xanthophyceae, Phaeophyceae, Rhodophyceae and Cyanophyceae2. Chlorophyceae: Volvox, Oedogonium, Draparnaldiopsis3. Xanthophyceae: Vaucheria4. Phaeophyceae: Ectocarpus, Sargassum5. Rhodophyceae: Polysiphonia6. Cyanophyceae: Nostoc, Scytonema Section B: Fungi1. General characteristics of Mastigomycotina, Zygomycotina, Ascomycotina, Basidiomycotina and Deuteromycotina2. Mastigomycotina: Saprolegnia, Albugo3. Zygomycotina: Rhizopus4. Ascomycotina: Peziza5. Basidiomycotina: Agaricus, Puccinia6. Deuteromycotina: Alternaria, Cercospora Section C: Bryophytes1. General characteristics of Hepaticopsida, Anthocerotopsida and Bryopsida2. Hepaticopsida: Marchantia3. Anthocerotopsida: Anthoceros4. Bryopsida: Funaria Section D: Pteridophytes1. Important characteristics of Psilophyta, Lycophyta, Sphenophyta and Filicophyta, along with various types of steles2. Lycophyta: Selaginella3. Sphenophyta: Equisetum4. Filicophyta: Pteris |
| Semester I | BOB102: Lab. Work Based on Course BOB101 | BOB102: Lab. Work Based on Course BOB101 |
| Semester II | BOB201: Microbiology, Plant Pathology, Cytology and Genetics | Section A: Microbiology and Plant Pathology1. History and scope of Microbiology2. Position of microorganisms in the living world, including morphological, metabolic and molecular criteria for bacterial classification3. Structure of a bacterial cell: capsule and slime, flagella, cell wall, cell membrane, chromosome, plasmid and endospore4. Structure of bacteriophages belonging to the T series5. Lysogenic and lytic cycles6. Genetic recombination in bacteria: transformation, conjugation and transduction7. Role of microorganisms in carbon and nitrogen cycling8. Microorganisms in the production of alcoholic beverages, antibiotics and single-cell protein9. General symptoms of viral, bacterial and fungal plant diseases10. Plant diseases: Tobacco mosaic, citrus canker, late blight of potato, powdery mildew of pea, loose smut of wheat, covered smut of barley and wilt of pigeon pea Section B: Cytology and Genetics1. Ultrastructure of plant cell: nucleus and cytoskeleton2. Cell cycle, interphase nucleus, euchromatin and heterochromatin, mitosis and meiosis, and genetic significance of meiosis3. Basic tenets of cytogenetics and concepts including cytology, genetics, cytogenetics, cell and cell theory, germplasm theory and genotype-phenotype concept4. Mendel's laws of inheritance and deviations from Mendel's laws5. Gene interactions including incomplete dominance, lethal genes, complementary genes, supplementary genes, inhibitory genes, duplicate genes and epistatic genes6. Linkage and crossing over, linkage maps, linkage groups and interference7. Sex determination and chromosome theory of sex determination8. Theories of organic evolution: Lamarckism, Darwinism, de Vries Mutation Theory and Synthetic Theory |
| Semester II | BOB202: Lab. Work Based on Course BOB201 | BOB202: Lab. Work Based on Course BOB201 |
| Semester III | BOB301: Phanerogams | Gymnosperms- Classification of Gymnosperms according to Sporne- Morphology, anatomy, reproduction and economic importance of Cycas, Pinus and Ephedra Angiosperms: Taxonomy1. Bentham and Hooker's system of classification: principles, outline, merits and demerits2. Distinguishing characteristics and economic importance of Ranunculaceae, Papaveraceae, Rosaceae, Myrtaceae, Apiaceae, Cucurbitaceae, Rubiaceae, Asclepiadaceae, Apocynaceae, Acanthaceae, Solanaceae, Lamiaceae, Amaranthaceae and Poaceae3. Plant collection and herbarium techniques and important herbaria of the world Anatomy- Anatomy of stems and roots with special reference to plants showing anomalies- Stem: Nyctanthes, Bignonia, Strychnos, Boerhaavia, Laptadenia and Dracaena- Root: Vanda Embryology1. Microsporangium and microsporogenesis2. Megasporangium and megasporogenesis3. Male gametophyte4. Female gametophyte: monosporic, bisporic and tetrasporic embryo sac5. Double fertilization6. Endosperm, including different modes of development and functions7. Embryogeny, including classification and development of typical dicot and monocot embryos |
| Semester III | BOB302: Lab. Work Based on Course BOB301 | BOB302: Lab. Work Based on Course BOB301 |
| Semester IV | BOB401: Ecology, Physiology and Biochemistry | Section A: Ecology1. Introduction to ecology2. Abiotic and biotic environment and plant adaptations to water, temperature and light3. Population ecology: population characteristics, ecotypes and ecads4. Community ecology: community characteristics, frequency, density, cover, IVI, life forms and biological spectrum5. Ecosystem ecology: structure, food chain, food web, ecological pyramids, energy flow and biogeochemical cycles of carbon and phosphorus6. Ecological succession: types and patterns7. Biogeographical regions of India Section B: Physiology and Biochemistry1. Water relations of plants: water potential, water absorption and loss of water2. Cell membrane: structure and transport/ion transport3. Transport of solutes: sugar translocation4. Mineral nutrition: role of micro- and macronutrients and deficiency symptoms5. Photosynthesis: chloroplast structure, light absorption, energy transfer, electron transport, photophosphorylation, C3, C4 and CAM pathways and photorespiration6. Respiration: mitochondria, glycolysis, TCA cycle, electron transport and oxidative phosphorylation7. Nitrogen metabolism and nitrate assimilation8. Protein synthesis: types of RNA, transcription and translation9. Enzymes: classification, nomenclature, mechanism of action and factors controlling enzyme activity10. Plant growth hormones: auxins, gibberellins, cytokinins, abscisic acid and ethylene11. Phytochrome: structure and function |
| Semester IV | BOB402: Lab. Work Based on Course BOB401 | BOB402: Lab. Work Based on Course BOB401 |
| Semester V | BOB501: Comparative Studies of Cryptogams | Section A: Algae1. Fritsch's classification and characteristics of major algal classes2. Pigmentation and storage products3. Thallus organisation and evolutionary tendencies4. Reproduction and life history types of Chlorophyceae, Phaeophyceae, Rhodophyceae and Cyanophyceae5. Economic importance of algae Section B: Fungi1. General features and Ainsworth's classification2. Structure, reproduction and life cycle of representative fungal classes3. Types of fungal spores and their liberation4. Evolutionary trends in fungi5. Economic importance of fungi Section C: Bryophytes1. General features and Smith's classification of Bryophyta2. Life histories of Cyathodium, Pellia, Notothylus, Sphagnum and Polytrichum3. Evolution of sporophyte Section D: Pteridophytes1. General features and contemporary classification of Pteridophyta2. Stelar evolution3. Evolutionary tendencies in sporangia4. Life histories of Psilotum, Isoetes, Adiantum, Ophioglossum and Marselia |
| Semester V | BOB502: Comparative Studies of Phanerogams | Section A: Gymnosperms1. Classification and general morphology and reproduction of Zamia, Ginkgo, Biota and Gnetum2. General account of Williamsonia and Pentaxylon3. Phylogenetic trends in Gymnosperms4. Distribution of living Gymnosperms in India Section B: Angiosperms1. Classification of Angiosperms according to Takhtajan, with numerical taxonomy and chemotaxonomy2. Distinguishing characteristics and economic importance of Annonaceae, Rutaceae, Meliaceae, Asteraceae, Convolvulaceae, Scrophulariaceae, Verbenaceae, Polygonaceae, Euphorbiaceae, Moraceae, Zingiberaceae, Liliaceae and Cyperaceae3. Embryology: polyembryony, apomixis and experimental embryology with reference to anther and embryo culture |
| Semester V | BOB503: Plant Ecology | 1. Population patterns and concepts, population growth and mechanisms of population differentiation2. Community characteristics and analysis, species diversity and niche3. Ecosystem concept, components and organisation, primary productivity and its measurement, energy flow and nutrient cycling of carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus4. Mechanisms of ecological succession and concept of climax5. Environmental pollution: water, air and soil pollution, their sources, kinds and effects6. Ecotoxicology: toxicity, important toxicants, dose-response relationship, ecological factors affecting toxicity and biomagnification |
| Semester V | BOB504: Lab. Work Based on Course BOB501 | BOB504: Lab. Work Based on Course BOB501 |
| Semester V | BOB505: Lab. Work Based on Course BOB502 | BOB505: Lab. Work Based on Course BOB502 |
| Semester V | BOB506: Lab. Work Based on Course BOB503 | BOB506: Lab. Work Based on Course BOB503 |
| Semester VI | BOB601: Plant Metabolism, Biochemistry and Biotechnology | 1. Biosynthesis of sucrose, starch, cellulose and lipids2. Sulphur and phosphorus metabolism, activation and assimilation of sulphur and ATP synthesis3. Nitrogen metabolism, biological nitrogen fixation, nitrogenase, nitrate metabolism and ammonia assimilation4. Structure and properties of DNA and RNA and DNA replication5. Protein structure and synthesis, transcription, translation and post-translational modification6. Enzyme action, coenzymes, allosteric enzymes and isozymes7. Biosynthesis and mode of action of auxins, gibberellins, cytokinins, abscisic acid and ethylene8. Biotechnological tools and techniques, cloning vectors, recombinant DNA techniques and transgenic plant production |
| Semester VI | BOB602: Microbiology and Plant Pathology | Section A: Microbiology1. Introduction and scope of Microbiology2. General account of Methanococcus, Halobacterium, Agrobacterium, Mycoplasma and Thermoplasma3. Growth of microorganisms in batch culture4. Structure and replication of viruses, with reference to cyanophage LPP1, TMV and retroviruses5. Transformation, conjugation and transduction in bacteria6. Fermentation technology for production of lactic and acetic acid7. Role of microorganisms in degradation of aromatic hydrocarbons8. Nitrogen fixation by free-living and symbiotic microorganisms, ammonification, nitrification and denitrification9. Role of microorganisms in genetic engineering Section B: Plant Pathology1. History and scope of plant pathology2. Modes of infection and physiology of parasitism3. Host-pathogen interactions4. Transmission and spread of plant diseases5. Methods of plant disease control6. Plant diseases: green ear disease of bajra, downy mildew of crucifers, powdery mildew of sheesham, rusts of pea and linseed, smut of bajra, wilt of tomato, bacterial blight of rice, mosaic of sugarcane and little leaf of brinjal |
| Semester VI | BOB603: Cytogenetics and Evolutionary Processes | 1. Chromosome structure, chemical composition and ultrastructural organisation2. Chromosomal structural aberrations: deletion, duplication, inversion and translocation3. Genomic variations including aneuploidy and polyploidy4. Karyotype evolution and its importance in systematics and evolution5. Mapping of genes on chromosomes, physical and genetic maps, deletion mapping, linkage analysis, somatic cell fusion and in situ hybridisation6. Multiple alleles and multiple factors, including ABO and Rh blood groups, eye colour in Drosophila, self-sterility in plants and quantitative inheritance7. Non-Mendelian inheritance and organellar genetics8. Mutation and mutagens, including types, molecular basis and physical and chemical mutagens9. Hybridisation, heterosis, theories of hybrid vigour and evolutionary significance |
| Semester VI | BOB604: Lab. Work Based on Course BOB601 | BOB604: Lab. Work Based on Course BOB601 |
| Semester VI | BOB605: Lab. Work Based on Course BOB602 | BOB605: Lab. Work Based on Course BOB602 |
| Semester VI | BOB606: Lab. Work Based on Course BOB603 | BOB606: Lab. Work Based on Course BOB603 |
| Semester VI | BOB607: Field Study | BOB607: Field Study The field study is subject to sanction of leave of absence on duty/duty leave to the accompanying teachers. |
BHU BSc Botany Syllabus PDF
You can use the BHU BSc Botany Syllabus PDF as a reference for university coursework and examination preparation. It provides the prescribed course structure and detailed topics in one place, making it easier to keep track of the syllabus throughout the academic year.
The PDF includes course codes, subjects, credits, theory topics, practical courses and field study details for the six-semester B.Sc. (Hons.) Botany programme.
How to Prepare for BHU BSc Botany Syllabus
Preparing the syllabus semester-wise can make it easier to manage both theory and practical components. You can follow these steps:
-
Divide the syllabus semester-wise: Start with the subjects and topics prescribed for the current semester and create a separate study plan for each course.
-
Build concepts first: Focus on understanding plant structures, life cycles, physiological processes, genetics and ecological concepts before moving to detailed revision.
-
Use diagrams: Practise labelled diagrams for topics such as plant anatomy, cell structure, life cycles, reproductive structures and physiological processes.
-
Prepare comparison tables: Use tables to differentiate plant groups, classifications, families, diseases, metabolic pathways and genetic concepts.
-
Give time to practicals: Revise laboratory-based topics alongside theory instead of leaving practical preparation for the end.
-
Revise scientific names: Make short revision lists for the organisms, plant families, diseases and representative species included in the syllabus.
-
Practise regularly: Solve questions and write short answers after completing each topic to improve recall and presentation.
-
Revise before examinations: Keep the final revision focused on classifications, definitions, diagrams, life cycles, processes, important examples and comparative topics.
| Other Related Links | |
|---|---|
| BHU BSc Physics Syllabus | BHU BSc Chemistry Syllabus |
| BHU BSc Botany Syllabus | BHU BSc Zoology Syllabus |
| BHU BSc Mathematics Syllabus | |
BHU BSc Botany Syllabus FAQs
What is the duration of the BHU BSc Botany programme?
The B.Sc. (Hons.) Botany syllabus provided by BHU is divided into six semesters.
How many credits are there in the BHU BSc Botany syllabus?
The complete syllabus carries 64 credits across six semesters.
Which topics are covered in the first semester of BHU BSc Botany?
Semester I covers Cryptogams, including Algae, Fungi, Bryophytes and Pteridophytes. It also includes a practical course based on Cryptogams.
Does the BHU BSc Botany syllabus include practical work?
Yes. Practical courses are included throughout the programme. Semester VI also includes a 4-credit Field Study.
Have questions about your prep?
Our experts can answer all your questions
Join 15 Million students on the app today!
Live & recorded classes available at easeDashboard for progress trackingLakhs of practice questions
Free Learning Resources
PW Books
Notes (Class 10-12)
PW Study Materials
Notes (Class 6-9)
Ncert Solutions
Govt Exams
Our Other Websites
Class 6th to 12th Online Courses
Govt Job Exams Courses
UPSC Coaching
Defence Exam Coaching
Gate Exam Coaching
Other Exams
Know about Physics Wallah
Physics Wallah is an Indian edtech platform that provides accessible & comprehensive learning experiences to students from Class 6th to postgraduate level. We also provide extensive NCERT solutions, sample paper, NEET, JEE Mains, BITSAT previous year papers & more such resources to students. Physics Wallah also caters to over 3.5 million registered students and over 78 lakh+ Youtube subscribers with 4.8 rating on its app.
We Stand Out because
We provide students with intensive courses with India’s qualified & experienced faculties & mentors. PW strives to make the learning experience comprehensive and accessible for students of all sections of society. We believe in empowering every single student who couldn't dream of a good career in engineering and medical field earlier.
Our Key Focus Areas
Physics Wallah's main focus is to make the learning experience as economical as possible for all students. With our affordable courses like Lakshya, Udaan and Arjuna and many others, we have been able to provide a platform for lakhs of aspirants. From providing Chemistry, Maths, Physics formula to giving e-books of eminent authors like RD Sharma, RS Aggarwal and Lakhmir Singh, PW focuses on every single student's need for preparation.
What Makes Us Different
Physics Wallah strives to develop a comprehensive pedagogical structure for students, where they get a state-of-the-art learning experience with study material and resources. Apart from catering students preparing for JEE Mains and NEET, PW also provides study material for each state board like Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and others
Copyright © 2026 Physicswallah Limited All rights reserved.