Brief introduc- tion to evolution of life on earth, Importance of the knowledge in plant diversity, History of taxonomy, Characteristics of viruses, Five kingdom and Three domain systems of classiffiffication, Structure, types, and reproduction of the domain bacteria, Vegetative diversity of Blue Green Bacteria (Cyanobateria), The domain Archaea; diversity and interested features, The domain Eukarya: Vegetative and reproductive diversity of the algae; Chloro-phyceae, Xanthophyceae, Phaeophyceae, Rhodhophyceae and Bacillariophyceae, Structural and reproductive diversity in fungi, General characters, thallus organization, nutrition, and reproduction of Lichens. Vegetative and reproductive diversity in Bryophyta, Structure, life cycle and biological importance of Pteridophyta; Psilopsida, Lycopsida, Sphenopsida, and Pteropsida, with particular emphasis on representative examples. Gymnospermae; classiffication and specific features with special reference to structure and life history of Cycas, and Pinus and their affinities, Angiospermae: Introduction, and distinguishing features, specific morphological and anatomical features of different groups; reproduction and life cycles in typical forms; evolutionary trends among the different groups.
Evaluation methods: End semester examination : 70% and Continuous assess- ments : 30%

Scientific method, Limitations of science, Pure science vs. applied science, Introduction to biometrics, Termi- nology, Descriptive statistics and inferential statistics, Sampling, processing and presenting data, Measures of central tendency, Measures of dispersion, Normal distribution, Binomial distribution, Poisson distribution, The basis of statistical testing, Chi-squared tests, Corre- lation analysis, Regression analysis, Experimental design, Analysis of variance (ANOVA).
Evaluation methods: End semester examination : 70% and Continuous assess- ments : 30%

Microscopy, Forms and functions of cells in the plant body, Specialized cells, Glands and Secretory cells, Primary and secondary growth in stems and roots, Anomalous structures, Ecological anatomy, Anatomical identity of higher plants.
Evaluation methods: End semester examination : 70% and Continuous assess- ments : 30%

Laboratory exercises and fieldwork on BOT1112, BOT1121 and BOT1131 Evaluation methods: End semester examination : 70% and Continuous assess- ments : 30%

Introduction, Mendels Laws of Genetics, Chro- mosome morphology, Gene linkage, Crossing over and gene mapping, Sex determination and sex linkage, Probability in Mendelian inheritance and pedigree analysis, Mutations (muta- genic agents, chromosome aberration, euploids, aneuploids, autopolyploids and allopoly- ploids), Viral, bacterial and fungal genetics, Extra nuclear inheritance, Population Genetics and Hardy Weinberg equilibrium.
Evaluation methods: End semester examination : 70% and Continuous assess- ments : 30%

Historical background, General def- initions and descriptions, nomenclature, identication, classication, taxonomic hierarchy, species concept, Different classification systems, ICBN and phylocode system, Angiosperm Phylogeny Group (APG),Taxonomic data from diffeferent sources, importance of plant sys- tematics, Flora in Sri Lanka.
Evaluation methods: End semester examination : 70% and Continuous assess- ments : 30%

Introduction: Ecology vs. Environmental Science. Fundamentals of Plant Ecology (Terminology, Organizational levels from Indi- vidual to Biome & Biosphere. Different aspects of Plant Ecology: Autecology & Synecol- ogy, Phytosociology, Paleoecology, Cytoecology, Ecosystem Ecology, Conservation ecology or Resource ecology, Habitat Ecology, Population Ecology, Production Ecology, Comparative Ecology, Descriptive Ecology, Physical and biological space, Niche and Habitat, Ecological footprint). Structure and Functions of an Ecosystem (Biotic and abiotic interactions, Ma- terials and energy ow, Modes of nutrition in plants). Classification, form and functions of Biomes. Climatic map and Soil map of Sri Lanka. Extent, distribution, features, oral diversity of different ecosystems in Sri Lanka. Invasive ora in Sri Lanka & related environ- mental issues. Main threats on biodiversity, Conservation of biodiversity.
Evaluation methods: End semester examination : 70% and Continuous assess- ments : 30%

Laboratory exercises and fieldwork on BOT1212, BOT1221 and BOT1231
Evaluation methods: End semester examination : 70% and Continuous assess- ments : 30%

A brief history on microbiology, Microbes in our life, Branches of microbiology, Observing microorganisms through micro- scope, Structure of prokaryotic cell, Classiffication of microorganisms, Microbial growth, Microbial metabolism, Control of microorganisms, Genome and Microbial genetics, Mi- croorganisms and diseases, Environmental microbiology, Microbes used in industries.
Evaluation methods: End semester examination : 70% and Continuous assess- ments : 30%

History of plant pathology, Types of pathogens and diseases, Infection and pathogenesis, Disease diagnosis, Koch's postulates, Plant disease resistance, Effects of diseases on plants, Postharvest diseases, Plant disease epidemiology, Important plant diseases of major crops in Sri Lanka, Plant disease control and management
Evaluation methods: End semester examination : 70% and Continuous assess- ments : 30%

History of Molecular biology, Chemical basis of hereditary materials, Structures and properties of nucleic acids, Fine structure of genes, gene expression and control of gene expression, Protein synthesis, Replication, Isolation of DNA, Quality and quantity assessments.
Evaluation methods: End semester examination : 70% and Continuous assess- ments : 30%

Laboratory exercises on BOT2112, BOT2121 and BOT2131 Evaluation methods: End semester examination : 70%, Continuous assessments and practical records : 30%

Plant & water; es- sentiality of water, cell water relations, Soil water relations, Water absorption and transport, Stomatal physiology, Mineral nutrition, Phloem translocation, Energy relations in cells and plants; enzymes, respiration, photosynthesis, nitrogen metabolism, fatty acid metabolism, Plant growth and development; plant growth and growth measurements, plant growth hormones and their applications, Photoperiodism and Vernalization.
Evaluation methods: End semester examination : 70% and Continuous assess- ments : 30%

Fundamentals of environmental science, Natural resources & threats on natural resources, Environmental pollution and contamination, Major forms of pollution sources, impacts and control, Eutrophication, Special environmental problems in Sri Lanka, Global environmental issues (global warming, acid rain, ozone depletion) with special reference to Sri Lanka, Introduction to waste water treatment methods giving special reference to biological methods.
Evaluation methods:End semester examination : 70% and Continuous assess- ments : 30%

Physical and chemical characteristics of soil, Soil classiffication, Macro- and micro- nutrients in soil, Toxic elements in soil, Introduction to minerals, Factors affecting availability and uptake of nutrients, Soil organic matter and its dynamics (interactions between plants & microorganisms in the rhi- zosphere), hydrophobic soils, Analysis of nutrients in the soil and in plants, Major soil types of Sri Lanka, Soil Conservation and sustainable management of soil.
Evaluation methods: End semester examination : 70% and Continuous assess- ments : 30%

Laboratory exercises and field visits on BOT2212, BOT2221 and BOT2231 Evaluation methods: End semester examination : 70%, Continuous assessments and practical records : 30%

Prerequisite: Botany core courses History of development of ecology, Introduction to quantitative plant Ecology, Sampling methods and data collection, Quantitative measures and descriptive analysis, Multivariate analysis, Principal component analysis, Complex-model based analysis. Interpretation of results, Ecosystem valuation and environmental accounting, Indigenous knowledge on Plant Ecology in Sri Lanka.
Evaluation methods: End semester examination : 70%, Continuous assessments and practical records : 30%

Op. for Biology students Divisions of horticulture, Advantageous and disadvantages of horticulture, Classification of horticultural plants, Plant propagation methods, Cultivation of horticultural plants, Plant Nurseries, Hydroponics and Aquaponics, Floriculture, Landscaping: designing, installing and maintenance, Post-planting immediate care, Pruning and training of plants.
Evaluation methods: End semester examination : 70% and Continuous assess- ments : 30%

Op. Pre- requisite: Botany core courses Instrumentation in Microbiology: microscopes, spectrophotometry, centrifugation, electrophore- sis, sterilizers etc. Classification of microorganisms: the prokaryotes - domains bacteria and archaea, protobacteria, fusobacteria, diversity of Archaea, methods of classifying and identifying microorganisms, other types-viroid, prions. Microbial genetics: structure and functions of the genetic material, the regulation of bacterial gene expression, mutation, ge- netic transfer and recombination, gene and evolution, techniques of genetic modification. Microbial mechanisms of pathogenicity and defence: Portal of entry, penetrate host de- fences, damage host cells, nonspecific defences of the host, specic defences of the host. Microbial ecology: extremophiles, soil microbiology, agricultural microbiology, applications (biopesticides). Environmental microbiology: wastes as a resource. Industrial Microbiology: industrial microorganisms, fermentation media and systems, downstream processing, prod- uct development, regulations and safety Evaluation methods: End semester examination : 70%, Continuous assessments and practical records : 30%

Op. for Biology students Molecular plant pathology - Genetics of host-pathogen interactions (gene for gene interac- tion, recognition and triggering resistance), Hypersensitive Reaction (HR), Induced resis- tance in plants (local and systemic), Putative signal transduction pathways towards sys- temic resistance, Biotechnology in plant protection (Diagnosis, detection, transgenics etc.) Ecological plant pathology Epidemiology, Disease forecasting, Plant disease management (chemical, cultural, biological control, etc. and integrated approaches) Evaluation methods: End semester examination : 70%, Continuous assessments and practical records : 30%

Introduction to forestry, His- tory of forestry, Classification of forests in Sri Lanka, Forest policies & laws in Sri Lanka, Forest mensuration and inventory, Silviculture & dierent silvicultural systems, Forest pro- tection, Agroforestry & Social forestry, Forest based industries.
Evaluation methods: End semester examination : 70%, Continuous assessments and practical records : 30%

Optional for Bi- ology students History of food science & technology, Food spoilage, Food poisoning, Preser- vation methods of food, Postharvest technology, Food packaging and labelling, Genetically modifed/engineered food, Food safety. Evaluation methods: End semester examination : 70%, Continuous assessments and practical records : 30%

Op. Prerequisites: BOT2131 Genome organization of prokaryotes and eukaryotes, Chromosome structure and function, Organelle gene organization, Recombination, DNA repair, Gene expression, Gene regulation, Post-transcriptional modifications, Mechanism of protein synthesis and protein structures, Transposons and their practical applications.
Evaluation methods: End semester examination : 70%, Continuous assessments and practical records : 30%

Op. for Biology students Characteristics of weeds, Classiffication of weeds, Weed spread and evolution, Impact of weeds,Usefulness of weeds, preventive methods, mechanical & chemical weed control,Herbicides (application, mechanisms of action, transformations in plants, persistence and behaviour in soil), Invasive weed species, Allelopathic effect of weeds, Paddy field and aquatic weeds Evaluation methods: End semester examination : 70%, Continuous assessments and practical records : 30%

Op. for Biology stu- dents Terminology, Structure of wood, Physical properties of wood, Mechanical properties of wood, Grading of woods/timber, Common and specific uses of woods, Wood seasoning, Wood preservation
Evaluation methods: End semester examination : 70%, Continuous assessments and practical records : 30%

Op. for Biology students Cell theory/totipotency, History of plant tissue culture, In vitro methods in plant tissue cul- ture (sterilization techniques, media preparation etc.), Steps involved in micro-propagation, Initiation and maintenance of callus, Suspension culture and in-vitro production of secondary metabolites, Different types of culture techniques, Somaclonal variation, Applications of tis- sue culture in Sri Lanka, Conservation, Cryopreservation, Structure of a plant tissue culture laboratory.
Evaluation methods: End semester examination : 70%, Continuous assessments and practical records : 30%

Op. Prerequisite: Botany core courses Crop establishment and seedling growth, Crop photosynthesis and yield, Metabolic and structural factors in uencing photosynthetic rate, Light distribution and canopy structure Limitations of crop yield by weather and climate, Partitioning and remobilization of photo- synthetic assimilates, Translocation and source sink relationship, Biochemical adaptations of plants to the environment, Biochemistry of C3 C4 intermediate species. Evaluation methods: End semester examination : 70%, Continuous assessments and practical records : 30%

Op. Prerequisite: Botany core courses The global environment (population growth, decline of vital life support ecosystem, global atmospheric changes, loss of biodiversity), Strategic and integrative themes for sustainable future, Biogeochemical cycles, Solid waste management, Integrated solid waste management, Municipal Solid Waste (MSW), Mismanagement and side effects, Environmental monitor- ing, Bioindicators, Biomarkers, Biosensors, Bioindicators and biomonitoring, Bioremediation Techniques, Environmental impact assessment (EIA).
Evaluation methods: End semester examination : 70%, Continuous assessments and practical records : 30%

Op. for Biology students History of viruses and plant virology, properties of viruses, virus architecture, virus genome, plant virus infection process, plant virus disease symptoms, transmission of plant viruses, plant virus disease control and diseases caused by viroids. Evaluation methods: End semester examination : 70% and Continuous assess- ments : 30%

Op. for Biology students Concepts of economics, Economic aspects of dierent categories of plants including Man- groves, Medicinal plants, etc. Plantation crops in Sri Lanka, Fruits and vegetables, Fibre and Timber, Spices, oils, gums etc., Algae, Microorganisms. Plant based industries and entrepreneurships
Evaluation methods: End semester examination : 70% and Continuous assess- ments : 30%

Op. for Biology students Introduction to genetic engineering, concept of reverse genetics, techniques in recombinant DNA technology (enzymes, vectors, cloning, library preparation, sequencing and transformation), genetic engineering for transgenic plants and microorganisms, ethics in genetic engineering and biotechnology.
Evaluation methods: End semester examination : 70% and Continuous assess- ments : 30%

Op. for Biology students History of plant breeding, Conventional breeding methods (mass selection, pure line selec- tion, hybridization, single seed descent, backcross breeding, Recurrent selection methods, synthetic varieties), Modern plant breeding methods, Protoplast culture and anther culture techniques.
Evaluation methods: End semester examination : 70%, Continuous assessments and fifield visit report : 30%

Op. for Biol- ogy students Plant cell and its environment, Plant growth and plant growth analysis, Interactions be- tween functions of plants and environmental parameters, Life and environmental parameters, Light environment of plants and measurements, Water status and water stress, Methods of assessing water status and water stress, Dendroclimatology, Stable carbon isotopes in plant ecophysiology studies
Evaluation methods: End semester examination : 70%, Continuous assessments and practical records : 30%