The Calcutta University BSc Botany syllabus 2026 follows the four-year Honours structure under NEP 2020 and covers eight semesters. The revised curriculum includes subjects such as Plant Diversity, Plant Systematics, Anatomy, Phycology, Microbiology, Genetics, Plant Physiology, Ecology and Biotechnology.
The BSc syllabus becomes more advanced with each year, moving from plant diversity and classification to research-oriented subjects and practical applications. Students can also choose different exit options after completing the required semesters. Understanding the semester-wise subjects, marks and exam pattern can help students plan their Botany preparation and track the topics covered throughout the course.
The Calcutta University BSc Botany Syllabus 2026 follows the four-year Honours structure under NEP 2020. The latest revision is Notice CSR-43-2026, dated 08-05-2026. It covers Honours and Honours with Research, and the course runs over eight semesters.
The table below shows the four levels of the BSc course. Each level has two semesters, and the papers become more advanced as you move up.
| Level | Semesters | Year |
| 100 | 1 and 2 | 1st year |
| 200 | 3 and 4 | 2nd year |
| 300 | 5 and 6 | 3rd year |
| 400 | 7 and 8 | 4th year |
Students can also exit after semester 2, 4 or 6. If you exit, you must complete a summer internship first.
Here is the Calcutta University BSc Botany syllabus semester-wise. The table lists the core (DSC) papers for each semester. Skill (SEC) and other papers are added on top of these, and each core paper has a theory part and a practical part.
| Semester | Core papers |
| 1 | Plant Diversity |
| 2 | Plant Systematics |
| 3 | Economic Botany; Plant Anatomy and Embryology |
| 4 | Phycology; Archegoniates; Palaeobotany; Pharmacognosy and Ethnobotany |
| 5 | Mycology; Microbiology; Biochemistry; Cell and Molecular Biology |
| 6 | Phytopathology; Plant Physiology; Genetics |
| 7 | Plant Geography, Ecology and Evolution; Biostatistics; Plant Biotechnology; Plant Metabolism; Natural Resource Management |
| 8 (Honours) | Research Methodology 1 and 2; Plant Breeding; Stress Biology; Industrial Microbiology |
| 8 (Honours with Research) | Research Methodology 1 and 2; Research Internship; Dissertation or Project |
Also Check, DU BSc Botany Syllabus
The first year covers Semesters 1 and 2 and introduces students to plant diversity, classification, and nomenclature. It also includes skill-based learning and an IDC paper related to plants.
| Semester | Paper/Area | Major Topics |
| Semester 1 | Plant Diversity | Origin of plant life, algae, fungi, bryophytes, pteridophytes, gymnosperms, and morphology of angiosperms |
| Semester 1 | Skill Paper | Mushroom Cultivation Technology |
| Semester 1/2/3 | IDC | Plants Around Us |
| Semester 2 | Plant Systematics | Nomenclature, identification, classification, and introduction to APG IV classification |
| Semester 2 | Skill Paper | Biofertilizer and Biopesticides |
The second year covers Semesters 3 and 4 and focuses on plant groups, their structure, uses, and applications. Students study economic plants, plant anatomy, embryology, algae, fossil plants, and medicinal plants.
| Semester | Paper/Area | Major Topics |
| Semester 3 | Economic Botany | Economic importance and uses of plants |
| Semester 3 | Plant Anatomy and Embryology | Plant structure, anatomy, and embryological processes |
| Semester 3 | Skill Paper | Plant Tissue Culture and Horticultural Practices |
| Semester 4 | Phycology | Study of algae |
| Semester 4 | Archegoniates | Study of mosses, ferns, and related plant groups |
| Semester 4 | Palaeobotany | Fossil plants and their study |
| Semester 4 | Pharmacognosy and Ethnobotany | Medicinal plants and their traditional uses |
Also Check, BHU BSc Botany Syllabus
The third year covers Semesters 5 and 6 and shifts towards microbes, cellular processes, plant functions, and genetics. Students also complete Minor papers and can exit with a 3-year degree after fulfilling the internship requirement.
| Semester | Paper/Area | Major Topics |
| Semester 5 | Mycology | Study of fungi |
| Semester 5 | Microbiology | Microorganisms and their biological processes |
| Semester 5 | Biochemistry | Biochemical processes and biomolecules |
| Semester 5 | Cell and Molecular Biology | Cell structure, molecular processes, and genetic mechanisms |
| Semester 5 | Minor Paper | Related-subject Minor paper |
| Semester 6 | Phytopathology | Plant diseases and their causes |
| Semester 6 | Plant Physiology | Physiological processes in plants |
| Semester 6 | Genetics | Principles of heredity and genetic variation |
| Semester 6 | Minor Paper | Related-subject Minor paper; it must be different from the Minor chosen in Semester 5 |
Note: Students can exit with a 3-year degree after completing the third year and the required summer internship.
The fourth year covers Semesters 7 and 8 for students who continue to the Honours programme. The syllabus combines ecology, biotechnology, plant metabolism, research methodology, and specialised areas of Botany.
| Semester | Programme | Paper/Area | Major Topics |
| Semester 7 | All students | Ecology | Ecology and environmental interactions |
| Semester 7 | All students | Biostatistics | Statistical methods and data analysis |
| Semester 7 | All students | Biotechnology | Plant biotechnology and related applications |
| Semester 7 | All students | Plant Metabolism | Metabolic processes in plants |
| Semester 7 | All students | Natural Resource Management | Management and conservation of natural resources |
| Semester 8 | All students | Research Methodology 1 | Research methods and practices |
| Semester 8 | All students | Research Methodology 2 | Advanced research methods |
| Semester 8 | Honours | Plant Breeding | Principles and techniques of plant breeding |
| Semester 8 | Honours | Stress Biology | Plant responses to environmental stresses |
| Semester 8 | Honours | Industrial Microbiology | Microbial applications in industrial processes |
| Semester 8 | Honours with Research | Research Internship | Research-based internship — 4 credits |
| Semester 8 | Honours with Research | Dissertation/Project | Research dissertation or project — 8 credits |
The syllabus PDF is on the official University of Calcutta website, under the Curriculum and Credit Framework (UG) section. Botany has several notices listed there, and the newest one is CSR-43-2026. You can open it directly from the official Botany syllabus PDF.
The PDF gives the paper code, marks, credits, class hours, topics, practical work and textbook list for each paper. Always use the newest notice, as older ones may have changed.
The Calcutta University BSc Botany exam pattern is based on credits and marks. In a 100-mark paper, 75 marks are for theory, and 25 marks are for practical. A theory paper has 3 credits and 45 class hours, while a practical has 1 credit and 30 class hours.
The table below shows the total credits and marks for each type of paper in the four-year course. Use it to see how the marks are spread.
| Paper type | Credits | Marks |
| Major (DSC/Core) | 88 | 2200 |
| Minor | 32 | 800 |
| IDC | 9 | 225 |
| AEC | 8 | 200 |
| SEC | 12 | 300 |
| CVAC | 8 | 200 |
| Summer internship | 3 | 75 |
IDC papers carry 75 marks, with 50 for theory and 25 for practical. Practicals also have their own split. In Plant Diversity, for example, the 25 practical marks are divided as follows.
| Practical part | Marks |
| Work out: morphology | 10 |
| Identification with reasons | 5 |
| Practical notebook | 3 |
| Field notebook | 2 |
| Viva-voce | 5 |
Also Check, B.Sc Botany 1st Semester Syllabus
A clear plan for each semester and a few smart next steps can help you score well and choose a career path.
Use the syllabus PDF as a checklist: Tick off each topic as you finish it.
Keep your notebooks neat: Practical and field notebooks carry marks in the practical exam.
Practise identification: Study specimens like Nostoc, Rhizopus, Marchantia and Pteris from the practical list.
Revise by unit: Each unit lists the number of lectures, which shows how much weight it may carry.
The Calcutta University BSc Botany syllabus 2026 covers eight semesters, progressing from plant diversity and systematics to genetics, physiology, ecology and biotechnology. Students should use the latest syllabus PDF to track subjects, marks and practical requirements for each semester.
Regular revision, practical preparation and topic-wise study can make semester preparation more organised. Students looking for additional academic support can also explore PW Semester Prep for BSc preparation.
