History

Department of Zoology was established in 1991 and offers B.Sc. Zoology degree program since 2014. The ultimate objective of this department is to promote the teaching and learning of various interdisciplinary levels of life sciences. Department guides and motivates students of the diversified background from Pathardi tehsil to become self-reliant. The department has a well-set ‘Zoology Museum’ with a good collection of bottled and stuffed specimens, slides, and models of non-chordates and chordates. Apart from this department is involved in various curricular, extracurricular, and extension activities for the holistic development of students.

Dr. Atulkumar Ramakant Chourpagar is working as a Head of, the Department of Zoology and working as a Joint Coordinator of IQAC and Chairperson and a member of various committees in the College. He has worked as a Staff Secretary in the academic year 2019-2020 and 2022-2023. He has recognition as a postgraduate teacher, M.Phil. & Ph.D. Research Guide of Savitribai Phule Pune University, Pune in the subject of Zoology from January 2022. He has received a Patent in respect of the design of “SMART FISHING APPARATUS” from the Government of India in 2022.

The faculty is highly engaged in teaching, research, and extension activities. They participate and take efforts for various curricular, co-curricular, and extra-curricular activities organized by the College. Different References & Textbooks on Zoology needed by the students are available in the college library which is sufficient in number. The department has set up its own departmental library in 2019-2020.  The Department also provides guidance to the students for participation in different competitions like research projects, AVISHKAR, poster competitions, Competitive examinations, etc.

Eminent scientists, academicians were visited to the department Professor G. K. Kulkarni, Former Head, Department of Zoology, Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Marathwada University, Aurangabad, Professor C. J. Hiware, Former Director, Directorate of Sericulture Department, Government of Maharashtra, Dr. Varad Giri, Researcher par excellence, Herpetologist, Conservationist, Dr. Vitthal More, Former Joint Director, Director of Higher Education, Pune, and Professor Sudhakar Kurhade, Environment Conservators.

The faculties of the Department have published many research articles in leading and well-reputed National and International Journals. They have participated in International and National Seminars, Conferences held in India and presented their research articles. 

The Department caters to the need of the students from the rural and backward areas of Marathwada and also to others; making them a very good asset to society. It serves to inculcate social responsibilities and serve society by not only becoming Teachers, Scientists, and Zoologists but also as responsible citizens who bridge the gap between science and the common man. The Department has linkages with many colleges under MoU.

Objectives

• • • The primary objective of the department is to impart quality education in the subject of Zoology as a basic science and its applied branches to the students from Pathardi Taluka, Ahmednagar Maharashtra.

The Department is having the following objectives:

• To provide quality education in a branch of Biological sciences i.e. Zoology
• To facilitate Higher education & research in zoology.
• To Inculcate the spirit of resource conservation and love for nature
• To conduct field studies and different projects of local and global interests.
• To provide opportunities for professional and personal development through curricular and co-curricular activities.
• Provide consultancy and organize extension activities.
• To provide quality education offering skill-based programs and motivate the students for self-employment in applied branches of Zoology.
• To inculcate value-based education and entrepreneurial skills among the students.

Teaching Faculty 

S. N.	Name	Photo	Designation	Qualification	Specialization	Experience
1.	Dr. Atulkumar R. Chourpagar		Assistant Professor & Head	M.Sc., Ph.D., PGDFSc., F.ZSI, F.AZI,	Zoology	- Years View More
2.	Mr. Mahesh Gore		Assistant Professor	M.Sc., S.E.T., GATE	Zoology	- Years View More
3.	Ms. Dhaneshwari M. Mhaske		Assistant Professor	M.Sc., S.E.T., B.Ed.	Zoology	-Years View More

Non- Teaching Faculty:

Sr. No.	Name	Photo	Designation	Qualification	Experience
2.	Mr. Chandrasekhar D. Ubale		Lab Attendent	B.A.	*
3.	Mr. Amar Satpute		Peon	H.S.C.	-

Innovative practices of the department.

1. Induction of Meetings:

• • • The freshers are accorded a welcome at the beginning of each session to inculcate a sense of duty and responsibility in them. The Academic schedule, examination system, hostel facilities, and rules and regulations of the university/department are explained to them.
    • For outgoing students, there will fare well program and it will help them to carry bad and good memories of the Department for their whole life.

2. Counselling Support

• • • To take care of the emotional, moral, and mental well-being of our students, a counseling center was set up. The counselor visits the college twice monthly and meets the students personally. Timely help advice and support are provided, which affords relief to the students from pressures that disturb them.

3. Project work: hihsigfsugcugsggvd

• • • Every student has to undergo the project work to learn the research techniques and also the scientific writings on their respective syllabi and the topic of their interest.

4. EcoTrek: 

• • The department has initiated the departmental best practice ‘Eco-TREK’ since 2014 in collaboration with the Physical Facility Centre and Sport of the college.
    • Ecotrek 2022-23 (Report)
    • Ecotrek 2021-22 (Report)
    • Ecotrek 2020-21(Due to the COVID-19, Ecotrek not organized)
    • Ecotrek 2019-20 (Report)
    • Ecotrek 2018-19 (Report)
    • Ecotrek 2017-18 (Report)
    • Ecotrek 2016-17 (Report)
    • Ecotrek 2015-16 (Report)
    • Ecotrek 2014-15 (Report) 

5. Employment generating guidance and technical know-how:

• • • The teachers are engaged to teach the students and inculcate the skills, that help them to earn by self-employment.

6. Workshops/Seminars/Conferences/Webinars:

• • • The department has initiated an organization of various workshops /seminars/conferences/webinars.
      • • ‘How to draw scientific diagrams for FY B.Sc. students (Report Link).
        • Workshop on Wildlife Photography for students (Report Link).
        • State Level Wildlife Photography Competition (Report Link).
        • Bird Census (Report Link).
        • National Conference (Report Link).
        • International Conference (Report Link).
        • Celebrates World Sparrow Day (Report Link).

Notable Alumni: 

1. Vaibhav Patkal working as a Territory Manager Zenex Animal Health, Ahmednagar (pdf).

2. Amol Tathe working as a research student in the subject of Zoology from Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Marathwada University, Aurangabad (pdf).

3. Govind Nikam working as a research student in the subject of Zoology from Savitribai Phule Pune University, Pune (pdf). He has qualified the SET examination-2023.

4. Amit E. Kasule working as Assistant Teacher at ZP Ahmednagar Shri. Shivaji Vidhyalay, Bodhegaon, Tal. Shevgaon (pdf).

5. Sachin S. Pawar working as assistant professor (CHB) at Department of Zoology, New Arts, Commerce & Science College, Shevgaon (pdf). He has elected as a Member of Gram Panchayat Padali.

The staff members from the department have been honored with different awards at different levels for their academic excellence such as:

• Atulkumar Ramakant Chourpagar received a Patent in respect of the design of “SMART FISHING APPARATUS” from the Government of India in 2022 (Link/pdf).

•  Congress of Zoology Medal 2019 is being conferred on Dr. Atulkumar Ramakant Chourpagar by the Zoological Society of India (ZSI), Bodhgaya in the National Seminar on “Climate Smart Aquaculture and Fisheries (CSAF) organized at the College of Fisheries, Central Agriculture University (Imphal), Tripura (West) on January, 15-16, 2019 (Link/pdf).

• Atulkumar Ramakant Chourpagar received recognition and certification of commendable contribution in the field of Zoology, Environmental Science & Life Sciences from the Association of Zoologists, India (Regd. No. F. 19670) on January 22, 2019 (Link/pdf).

Role in College Administration by faculty

• • Dr. Atulkumar R. Chourpagar working as
    • • Joint Coordinator IQAC from 2016 till date (pdf).
      • Staff Secretory in the academic year 2019-2020 (pdf).
      • Staff Secretory in the academic year 2022-2023 (pdf).
      • Coordinator, Career Katta (pdf).
      • Coordinator, Late Dadapatil Rajale Smruti Vyakhyan Mala 2020 & 2021 (pdf).
      • Chairperson, Science Association from 2018-2021 (pdf).
      • Secretary, Science Association from 2022 till date (pdf)

• • Ms. Dhaneshwari M. Mhaske working as
    • • Member Women’s Cell
      • Member, Criterion VI

Memorandum of Understanding (MoU)

• Department of Zoology, Dadapatil Rajale Arts and Science College, Adinathnagar, Pathardi wish to initiate this Memorandum of Understanding (hereinafter: “MoU”) with Ahmednagar District Nature Lovers Biodiversity, Conservation and Research Centre, Ahmednagar to facilitate the collaborations in various activities on 03/03/2020 (Link)

• Department of Zoology, Dadapatil Rajale Arts and Science College, Adinathnagar, Pathardi wish to initiate this Memorandum of Understanding (hereinafter: “MoU”) with the Department of Zoology, Kalikadevi Arts, Science and Commerce College, Shirur Ka. Beed affiliated with Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Marathwada University, Aurangabad, and the Department of Zoology, Late Ramesh Warpudkar Arts, Science and Commerce College, Sonpeth, Dist. Parbhani is affiliated with Swami Ramanand Teerth Marathwada University, Nanded on 09/09/2021 (Link)

• Department of Zoology, Dadapatil Rajale Arts and Science College, Adinathnagar, Pathardi wish to initiate this Memorandum of Understanding (hereinafter: “MoU”) the Department of Zoology, Kalikadevi Arts, Science and Commerce College, Shirur Ka. Beed affiliated with Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Marathwada University, Aurangabad, Department of Zoology, Late Ramesh Warpudkar Arts, Science and Commerce College, Sonpeth, Dist. Parbhani is affiliated with Swami Ramanand Teerth Marathwada University, Nanded, and Department of Zoology, Late Ramesh Warpudkar Arts, Science and Commerce College, Sonpeth, Dist. Parbhani and Maharaj J. P. Valvi Arts, Commerce and Shri. V. K. Kulkarni Science College, Dhadgaon, Dist. Nandurbar is affiliated with Kavi Bahinabai Chaudhary North Maharashtra University, Jalgaon on 22/09/2022 (Link)