Botany was started in the college in 1982. Botany is a basic subject that has enabled budding of a lot of applied biological sciences. The subject cannot be learnt only within the confines of the classroom or laboratory and hence regular field trips, institutional visits and study tours are an integral part of the methodology adopted by the department to give a complete understanding of the subject. Our students of Botany have studied the vegetation of Mt. Abu, Sawantwadi, Dediapada forests, Gir, Saurashtra and Kutch.
The department treasures a priceless collection of wood samples, seeds, a small herbarium and several rare botanical specimens. During the past two decades, the department has played a stellar role in setting up the chain of Ecological Niches which makes St. Xavier’s College one of the greenest college-campuses in the city. These are believed to contain close to 900 species of flora including ornamental & medicinal plants, a Cactorium, a Green House and a beautiful lotus pond.
Undergraduate Programme in Botany
The programme investigates the science of life at all levels, from microorganisms to population ecology. The course work enthuses about studying the diversity of life in a liberal arts environment and value the breadth of our discipline. At all levels, the curriculum engages students in the creative and investigative process of science as they develop critical and analytical skills and an understanding of the methods by which biologists study nature. The curriculum travels through taxonomy, plant diversity, plant anatomy, plant physiology, plant genetics, plant biochemistry, ecosystems, environment, economics of botany and applied sectors.
Career Oriented Programme
Besides the degree programme, we also offer a 1-year Career Oriented Programme (COP) on “Gardening and Landscaping”.
Key areas of Research
- Plant Taxonomy and Biodiversity
- Ethnobotany and Ethnomedicine
- Remote Sensing
BSc Botany Syllabus 
