UPSC Zoology Optional Syllabus
UPSC Zoology Optional Paper-I
1. Non-Chordata and Chordata: An in-depth study of different groups of non-chordates including Protozoa, Porifera, Coelenterata, Platyhelminthes, Nemathelminthes, Annelida, Arthropoda, Mollusca, Echinodermata, and Hemichordata. An extensive understanding of chordates, focusing on the comparative anatomy and physiology of the different classes such as Pisces, Amphibia, Reptilia, Aves, and Mammalia.
2. Cell Biology and Genetics: A comprehensive study of the structure and function of cells, including cell organelles, cell cycle, cell division, and cell signaling. An in-depth understanding of the principles of genetics, Mendelian inheritance, chromosomal variations, linkage and crossing over, gene expression, and genetic disorders.
3. Evolution and Systematics: A detailed exploration of the theories of evolution, including Darwinism, natural selection, adaptation, and speciation. An extensive study of the principles and methods of taxonomy, classification, and phylogeny of animals.
4. Ecology: A thorough understanding of ecological concepts, including ecosystem dynamics, energy flow, nutrient cycling, community ecology, and population ecology. An in-depth study of different ecosystems such as terrestrial, freshwater, and marine ecosystems, and their conservation.
5. Ethology: An in-depth study of animal behavior, including ethograms, proximate and ultimate causation of behavior, social behavior, communication, and foraging strategies. A detailed understanding of the concepts of territory, aggression, courtship, and mating behavior.
UPSC Zoology Optional Paper-II
1. Biochemistry: A comprehensive study of the structure and function of biomolecules, including carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, nucleic acids, and enzymes. An in-depth understanding of metabolic pathways, bioenergetics, and regulation of metabolism.
2. Physiology and Developmental Biology: An extensive study of the physiological systems of animals, including nervous, endocrine, digestive, circulatory, respiratory, excretory, and reproductive systems. A detailed exploration of embryology, developmental biology, and reproductive biology.
3. Immunology: A thorough understanding of the immune system, including innate and adaptive immunity, antigen-antibody interactions, immune response, hypersensitivity, autoimmunity, and immunodeficiency.
4. Biotechnology: An in-depth study of the principles and applications of biotechnology, including genetic engineering, recombinant DNA technology, gene therapy, cloning, and transgenic animals.
5. Economic Zoology: A detailed exploration of the economic importance of animals, including their role in agriculture, medicine, industry, and ecosystem services. An extensive study of animal husbandry, sericulture, apiculture, aquaculture, and wildlife conservation.
UPSC Previous Year Questions with Essays: Zoology Optional
1. Compilation of previous year questions from UPSC examinations related to Zoology Optional, including both Paper-I and Paper-II.
2. Detailed explanations and solutions for each question to provide a better understanding of the concepts.
3. Sample essays on various topics of Zoology Optional to help candidates improve their essay writing skills and gain insights into the subject.
Note: This syllabus is not exhaustive and may be subject to changes. Candidates are advised to refer to the official UPSC notification and syllabus for the most updated information.
References:
- UPSC Zoology Optional Syllabus
- UPSC Previous Year Question Papers
This course is helpful for the following exams: UPSC