Why Presidency is still presidential: A look into the dream institution.

The course curriculum is pretty relevant from the CSIR NET point of view. For me, the personal decision to choose this course came from the fact that it integrates all parts of biological sciences, instead of focusing on either zoology, botany, physiology or microbiology. Such integrated approach broadens the understanding in the minds of the students. The curriculum focuses on studying from research papers, thus keeping students up-to-date with real life problems and modern approaches to their solutions. Exams of the second semester can come across as a bit hectic because of the much less time span between first semester end and the second end semester. However the internal assessments are placed at the mid and near the end sem. This helps to some extent.

Fee is charged for every semester. The per semester fee amounts to Rs. 1335/- for the academic year 2023-24. Now this includes the tuition fee, laboratory fee as well as the examination fees. The initial admission fee charged in the year 2023 was Rs. 4300/-. This amount had to paid in two installments, namely the seat confirmation fee (paid during online counselling), an amount of Rupees 3,300/- and the final installment of Rs. 1000, which was paid after the physical reporting. The admission fee was inclusive of tuition fees for the first semester, laboratory fees, library charges, development fees, etc., but excepting the examination fees for the first semester. In the first semester, the examination fees, an amount of Rs. 375/- was charged separately, during the examination form fill up.

The campus life in Presidency is great to say the least. Several fests are organised throughout the year, namely ICON, ISPAT (during September). Every four years, MILIEU is held. Library, at least for the life sciences department, is enriched. Collections of world class textbooks are available. All classrooms are provided with projectors and blackboards, for teaching. For sports the PUCL and PUFL (inter-departmental cricket and football leagues) and the DLS cricket cup and DLS football cup (intra-departmental cricket and football leagues) are hosted every year.

I had applied to Visva Bharati and Calcutta University for M.Sc. Zoology course. In the counselling for University of Calcutta, I could secure a seat in the colleges and not in the main campus, hence I preferred Presidency as I had the opportunity of studying in a university in this case. For Visva Bharati, I rejected it because Presidency seemed a better option as I could study here as a day scholar. For Visva Bharati I would have to take lodgings at hostels in Shantiniketan. Presidency offers a Master's degree in Life Sciences, which is much distinct from Zoology or Botany or Physiology Masters. The M.Sc. Life Sciences curriculum includes all of biological sciences. However and M.Sc. Zoology curriculum will strictly exclude chapters from hardcore plant sciences, such as plant physiology, etc. From a CSIR NET perspective, this seems to be a set back , hence my choice of Presidency over the other institutions. The admission to this course is done through the PUMDET Life Sciences examination, which is conducted at around March-April of each year. The examination is conducted by the West Bengal Joint Entrance Examination Board.

There are 28 active faculty members currently. This makes the ratio of faculty to students roughly 1:2. Teachers are very helpful and approachable, students can approach them anytime with problems of any sort. Exams are conducted in the following pattern one end semester examination including written theory papers, viva-based practical examination (also, marking for practical examination is done in a sessional, continuous assessment mode). Two internal exams are conducted as well for the theory papers. Exams are of moderate standard, some papers are indeed challenging like the cell biology, where students may find it a bit challenging to clear the exam. However with dedicated approach to studying, clearing the exams with a good CGPA is of no issue. The course curriculum is highly relevant from CSIR NET perspective.

After a day of classes, the best way to unwind is to sit and relax with your gang in the Presi Greens. Recently the gym has been inaugurated and it includes multiple options for full-fledged workout sessions. Apart from these, the regular hangout spots include the quad and the Purushottam or Srishti canteen.