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B-SC-HONS-SERICULTURE in General at Assam Agricultural University
Jorhat, Assam
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About the Specialization
What is General at Assam Agricultural University Jorhat?
This B.Sc Hons Sericulture program at Assam Agricultural University focuses on the comprehensive study of sericulture, the art and science of silk production. It covers host plant cultivation, silkworm biology, rearing technologies, post-cocoon processing, and the economics of silk farming. Given India''''s prominence as the second-largest silk producer globally, this program plays a vital role in developing skilled professionals for the nation''''s vibrant silk industry, especially in the North Eastern region known for unique non-mulberry silks.
Who Should Apply?
This program is ideal for aspiring agricultural graduates and science enthusiasts with a keen interest in entomology, botany, and rural development. Fresh 10+2 science graduates seeking entry into the specialized field of silk production and research, as well as those passionate about sustainable livelihoods and rural entrepreneurship, will find this program highly rewarding. It caters to individuals who aim to contribute to India''''s traditional yet technologically evolving sericulture sector.
Why Choose This Course?
Graduates of this program can expect diverse career paths within India''''s sericulture sector, including roles as sericulture extension officers, scientists in research institutes (like Central Silk Board), farm managers, or entrepreneurs. Entry-level salaries range from INR 3-5 LPA, with experienced professionals earning INR 6-10+ LPA. Growth trajectories involve advanced research, management positions, and establishing successful silk production units. The program aligns with national initiatives for rural employment and sustainable agriculture.
Student Success Practices
Foundation Stage
Build Strong Scientific Fundamentals- (Semester 1-2)
Focus on understanding core principles of Biology, Chemistry, Entomology, and Botany covered in early semesters. Utilize university labs and practical sessions diligently to gain hands-on experience in basic scientific techniques. This foundational knowledge is crucial for advanced sericulture concepts.
Tools & Resources
Textbooks, Lab manuals, Peer study groups, University library resources
Career Connection
A solid scientific base enables effective understanding of silkworm physiology, host plant nutrition, and disease management, which are critical for any sericulture professional or researcher.
Develop Effective Communication and Soft Skills- (Semester 1-2)
Actively participate in communication skills workshops and group activities. Practice public speaking and presentation skills. Engaging in debates or student clubs can significantly enhance interpersonal communication and leadership qualities, vital for future extension or managerial roles.
Tools & Resources
Communication skills courses, Student clubs/societies, Role-playing exercises, Mentorship from faculty
Career Connection
Strong communication is essential for interacting with farmers, conveying technical knowledge, and presenting research findings, directly impacting success in extension and leadership roles.
Early Exposure to Sericulture Practices- (Semester 1-2)
Seek opportunities for short visits to university sericulture farms, local reeling units, or nearby mulberry gardens, even if not formally part of the curriculum. Observe practical aspects of mulberry cultivation and silkworm rearing to connect theoretical knowledge with real-world applications.
Tools & Resources
Local sericulture farmers, University farm staff, State Sericulture Department units
Career Connection
Early practical exposure demystifies the industry, helps identify areas of interest, and builds a realistic understanding of sericulture operations, aiding in career path selection.
Intermediate Stage
Engage in Practical Training and Field Visits- (Semester 3-5)
Actively participate in all practical sessions for mulberry cultivation, silkworm rearing, and disease management. Seek out field visits to commercial sericulture farms, grainages, and reeling units. Document observations thoroughly and discuss challenges with faculty and industry experts.
Tools & Resources
University experimental farms, Central Silk Board units, Local farmers and entrepreneurs, Industry reports
Career Connection
Hands-on experience during these semesters builds critical skills required for farm management, quality control, and problem-solving in sericulture, making graduates job-ready.
Build a Professional Network- (Semester 3-5)
Attend industry seminars, workshops, and exhibitions related to sericulture. Connect with faculty members, guest lecturers, and professionals from the Central Silk Board or state departments. Utilize LinkedIn for professional networking, targeting individuals in research, extension, or entrepreneurial roles within the silk sector.
Tools & Resources
Industry events, LinkedIn, Alumni network, Faculty office hours
Career Connection
Networking opens doors to internships, mentorship, and future job opportunities, providing insights into industry trends and potential career paths.
Develop Data Analysis and Research Skills- (Semester 3-5)
Pay close attention to Biostatistics and research methodology courses. Learn to use basic statistical software for data analysis. Proactively seek opportunities to assist faculty in ongoing research projects, even if small, to gain exposure to scientific inquiry and report writing.
Tools & Resources
R/Python (for basic analysis), MS Excel, Research papers, University research labs
Career Connection
Strong analytical skills are crucial for roles in research, product development, and evidence-based decision-making in sericulture, distinguishing candidates in a competitive job market.
Advanced Stage
Maximize Experiential Learning (RAWE & ELP)- (Semester 6-8)
Treat the Rural Awareness Work Experience (RAWE) and Experiential Learning Programme (ELP) as real-world projects. Take initiative in identifying problems, proposing solutions, and implementing them. Focus on developing a comprehensive understanding of rural dynamics and entrepreneurial aspects.
Tools & Resources
Project guides, Local community leaders, Financial institutions (for ELP ventures), Government scheme documents
Career Connection
These programs are direct pathways to entrepreneurial ventures or high-impact roles in rural development and sericulture extension, providing practical leadership and management experience.
Focus on Specialization and Project Work- (Semester 6-8)
Choose a project topic for SER 401 that aligns with your career aspirations, whether it''''s in a specific type of silk production, pest management, or value addition. Conduct thorough research, execute experiments meticulously, and present findings professionally. Consider an internship in a relevant industry or research institute.
Tools & Resources
Research papers/journals, University labs, Industry mentors, Project proposal templates
Career Connection
A well-executed project demonstrates expertise and research capability, significantly enhancing employability for scientific roles or advanced studies. Internships often lead to direct placement offers.
Prepare for Placements and Higher Studies- (Semester 6-8)
Regularly update your resume/CV, practice interview skills, and prepare for competitive exams if pursuing higher education (e.g., ICAR-PG entrance). Understand the job market for sericulture graduates in India, including government jobs (e.g., Forest Department, State Sericulture Department) and private sector roles. Attend campus placement drives.
Tools & Resources
Career guidance cells, Mock interview sessions, Previous year question papers for entrance exams, Industry specific job portals
Career Connection
Proactive preparation ensures a smooth transition into employment or postgraduate studies, maximizing opportunities for career progression and specialization in sericulture.
Program Structure and Curriculum
Eligibility:
- 10+2 with Physics, Chemistry, Biology/Agriculture and English, with a minimum aggregate percentage as per university norms.
Duration: 8 semesters / 4 years
Credits: 174 Credits
Assessment: Assessment pattern not specified
Semester-wise Curriculum Table
Semester 1
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SER 101 | Introduction to Sericulture | Core | 3 | History and scope of sericulture, Types of silk and silkworms, Indian sericulture industry, Status of sericulture in Assam, Basic sericultural terms |
| SER 102 | Moriculture – I (Mulberry Cultivation) | Core | 3 | Mulberry species and varieties, Soil and climatic requirements, Propagation methods, Cultivation practices and management, Mulberry diseases and pests |
| BCH 101 | Biochemistry | Core | 3 | Biomolecules (carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, nucleic acids), Enzymes and their kinetics, Metabolism (carbohydrate, lipid, protein), Photosynthesis and respiration, Vitamins and hormones |
| COM 101 | Communication Skills & Personality Development | Core | 2 | Elements of communication, Verbal and non-verbal communication, Public speaking and presentations, Group discussions and interviews, Personality development and etiquette |
| AEC 101 | Principles of Economics | Core | 2 | Basic economic problems, Demand, supply and elasticity, Theory of production and cost, Market structures, Agricultural economics relevance |
| AEN 101 | Agricultural Engineering | Core | 3 | Farm machinery and power, Soil and water conservation engineering, Irrigation systems and drainage, Post-harvest technology basics, Renewable energy in agriculture |
| PAT 101 | Principles of Plant Pathology | Core | 3 | History and scope of plant pathology, Causes of plant diseases, Disease diagnosis and symptoms, Epidemiology of plant diseases, Principles of plant disease management |
Semester 2
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SER 103 | Mulberry Silkworm Biology | Core | 3 | Classification of silkworms, Life cycle of Bombyx mori, Morphology and anatomy, Physiology of silkworm, Reproduction and embryology |
| SER 104 | Moriculture – II (Non-mulberry Host Plants) | Core | 3 | Host plants for non-mulberry silkworms, Tasar, Eri, Muga host plants, Cultivation of castor and som, Management of host plant diseases, Harvesting of host plant leaves |
| AGB 101 | Principles of Genetics | Core | 3 | Mendelian genetics, Chromosomal theory of inheritance, Gene interactions, DNA and RNA structure, Mutations and their types |
| AEC 102 | Agricultural Marketing & Trade | Core | 3 | Concepts of agricultural marketing, Market structure and efficiency, Market channels and functions, Price analysis and forecasting, Agricultural trade and policies |
| AEN 102 | Computer Applications | Core | 2 | Fundamentals of computers, Operating systems, MS Office suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), Internet and email applications, Data analysis tools |
| AGM 101 | Agricultural Meteorology | Core | 3 | Atmosphere and weather elements, Climate and agro-climatic zones, Weather forecasting for agriculture, Climate change and its impact, Agro-meteorological services |
| SAS 101 | Fundamentals of Soil Science | Core | 3 | Soil formation and composition, Physical and chemical properties of soil, Soil organic matter, Soil water and air, Soil classification |
Semester 3
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SER 201 | Mulberry Silkworm Rearing | Core | 3 | Rearing house and equipment, Disinfection and hygiene, Young age silkworm rearing, Late age silkworm rearing, Harvesting and storage of cocoons |
| SER 202 | Non-mulberry Silkworm Biology | Core | 3 | Life cycles of Tasar, Eri, Muga silkworms, Morphology and anatomy, Physiology and reproduction, Host plant interaction, Genetics of non-mulberry silkworms |
| AGB 201 | Cytogenetics | Core | 3 | Cell structure and division, Chromosomes morphology and types, Chromosomal aberrations, Karyotyping, Polyploidy and its significance |
| ENTO 201 | Fundamentals of Entomology | Core | 3 | Insect classification and morphology, Insect anatomy and physiology, Insect development and metamorphosis, Insect ecology and behavior, Beneficial and harmful insects |
| AGR 201 | Fundamentals of Agronomy | Core | 3 | Crop production principles, Tillage and land preparation, Nutrient management, Weed management, Irrigation and crop water requirement |
| SAS 201 | Soil Fertility & Nutrient Management | Core | 3 | Essential plant nutrients, Soil nutrient availability, Fertilizers and manures, Integrated nutrient management, Biofertilizers |
Semester 4
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SER 203 | Mulberry Silkworm Seed Technology | Core | 3 | Seed cocoon production, Seed preservation and processing, Disease-free layings production, Hybrid seed production, Quality control of silkworm seed |
| SER 204 | Non-mulberry Silkworm Rearing | Core | 3 | Tasar silkworm rearing (indoor and outdoor), Eri silkworm rearing, Muga silkworm rearing, Rearing hygiene and disinfection, Harvesting and preservation of cocoons |
| AGB 202 | Principles of Plant Breeding | Core | 3 | Objectives of plant breeding, Modes of reproduction in plants, Methods of crop improvement, Selection and hybridization, Genetics in plant breeding |
| ENTO 202 | Seri-Pest and Disease Management | Core | 3 | Pests of mulberry and non-mulberry host plants, Diseases of mulberry and non-mulberry, Pests and diseases of silkworms, Integrated pest management, Integrated disease management |
| SAS 202 | Environmental Science | Core | 2 | Ecosystems and biodiversity, Environmental pollution (air, water, soil), Waste management, Climate change and global warming, Environmental laws and policies |
| HORT 201 | Fundamentals of Horticulture | Core | 3 | Branches of horticulture, Propagation methods, Orchard management, Post-harvest handling of fruits/vegetables, Nursery management |
Semester 5
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SER 301 | Post-Cocoon Technology | Core | 3 | Cocoon harvesting and sorting, Cocoon stifling and drying, Reeling and spinning processes, Raw silk testing and grading, Defective cocoons utilization |
| SER 302 | Seri-Biotechnology | Core | 3 | Molecular biology techniques, Genetic engineering in sericulture, Tissue culture applications, DNA fingerprinting, Biotechnology in pest/disease management |
| ENTO 301 | Insect Ecology and IPM | Core | 3 | Insect population dynamics, Pest surveillance and forecasting, Biological control of insects, Chemical control and pesticide safety, Integrated Pest Management (IPM) strategies |
| AEXT 301 | Extension Education & Rural Development | Core | 3 | Principles of extension education, Rural sociology and development, Extension teaching methods, Program planning and evaluation, Role of sericulture in rural development |
| SER 303 | Non-mulberry Silkworm Seed Technology | Core | 3 | Seed production of non-mulberry silkworms, Grainage management, Disease examination of seed, Storage and preservation of seeds, Quality control for non-mulberry seed |
| STAT 301 | Biostatistics | Core | 3 | Basic statistical concepts, Measures of central tendency and dispersion, Probability and distributions, Hypothesis testing (t-test, ANOVA), Correlation and regression |
Semester 6
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SER 304 | Farm Management & Sericultural Economics | Core | 3 | Farm management principles, Cost-benefit analysis in sericulture, Economics of mulberry cultivation, Economics of silkworm rearing, Marketing of silk products |
| SER 305 | Seri-Byproducts Utilization | Core | 3 | Utilization of silkworm pupae, Utilization of silk waste, Mulberry fruit and leaf utilization, Applications in cosmetics and medicine, Value addition to sericultural products |
| SER 306 | Seri-Machinery and Implements | Core | 3 | Mulberry cultivation machinery, Silkworm rearing equipment, Reeling and twisting machinery, Spinning and weaving equipment, Maintenance of seri-machinery |
| AGB 301 | Genetic Engineering | Core | 3 | Recombinant DNA technology, Cloning vectors, Gene transfer methods, Applications in agriculture, Ethical considerations |
| AEXT 302 | Agricultural Entrepreneurship | Core | 3 | Concept of entrepreneurship, Business plan development, Funding sources and financial management, Government schemes for agri-entrepreneurs, Case studies in sericulture entrepreneurship |
| SAS 301 | Waste Management & Recycling | Core | 2 | Types of waste, Waste generation and characterization, Methods of waste disposal, Recycling and resource recovery, Composting and vermicomposting |
Semester 7
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| RAWE & IA (SER) | Rural Awareness Work Experience & Industrial Attachment (Sericulture) | Experiential Learning | 8 | Village stay and rural survey, On-farm practical training, Exposure to sericulture units, Interaction with farmers and entrepreneurs, Report writing and presentation |
Semester 8
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ELP (SER) | Experiential Learning Programme (Sericulture) | Experiential Learning | 10 | Project formulation and planning, Hands-on skill development, Product development and value addition, Entrepreneurial venture creation, Marketing and financial management |
| SER 401 | Project Work / Internship | Project | 6 | Literature review and problem identification, Research methodology and data collection, Data analysis and interpretation, Thesis writing and presentation, Industrial/Research institution internship |
