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Calcutta University BSc Botany Syllabus 2026, Semester-wise Subjects, PDF & Exam Pattern

The revised Calcutta University BSc Botany syllabus (CSR-43-2026) runs across 8 semesters. Year 1 covers plant diversity and systematics. Year 2 adds anatomy, psychology and palaeobotany. Year 3 covers microbiology, genetics and physiology. Most core papers carry 100 marks: 75 for theory and 25 for practicals.

authorImagePriyanka Agarwal15 Oct, 2026
Calcutta University BSc Botany Syllabus 2026

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.

Calcutta University BSc Botany Syllabus 2026 Overview

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.

Calcutta University BSc Botany Subjects: Semester-Wise List

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

Calcutta University BSc Botany Syllabus for 1st Year

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

Calcutta University BSc Botany Syllabus for 2nd Year

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

Calcutta University BSc Botany Syllabus for 3rd Year

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.

What Is Taught in the 4th Year (Honours)?

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

Calcutta University BSc Botany Syllabus PDF

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.

 

Calcutta University BSc 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.

Calcutta University BSc Botany Exam Pattern

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

Study Tips and Next Steps After BSc Botany

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.

 

FAQs

What subjects are in the Calcutta University BSc Botany syllabus?

The core papers include Plant Diversity, Plant Systematics, Plant Physiology, Genetics and Microbiology. Skill papers include Mushroom Cultivation and Plant Tissue Culture.

How many semesters are there in the Calcutta University BSc Botany syllabus 2026?

The full Honours course has eight semesters. You can also exit after semester 2, 4 or 6 with a summer internship.

What is the Calcutta University BSc Botany exam pattern?

A 100-mark paper has 75 marks for theory and 25 marks for practical. Theory papers carry 3 credits, and practicals carry 1 credit.

What is in the Calcutta University BSc Botany syllabus for 1st year?

Year 1 covers Plant Diversity and Plant Systematics. It also has skill papers on mushroom cultivation, biofertilizers and biopesticides.

Where can I download the Calcutta University BSc Botany syllabus PDF?

You can download it from the University of Calcutta website. The latest notice is CSR-43-2026
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