UG Entrance Syllabus

Unit 1 – Basic Chemical calculations: Density – mole concept – empirical and molecular formula – stoichiometry – volumetry, equivalent and molecular masses, percentage composition

Unit 2 – Atomic structure & periodicity: Atomic models, sub-atomic particles, orbital shapes, Pauli’s exclusion, Hund’s rule, Aufbau principle, de-Broglie relation, Heisenberg’s uncertainty, electronic configuration and periodic properties.

Unit 3 – Chemical bonding: Ionic bonding, lattice energy – Born-haber cycle, covalent bond – Fajan’s Rule –VSEPR theory – – hybridization, valence bond and molecular orbital theory, coordinate, metallic and hydrogen bonding

Unit 4 – d and f block elements: d-block elements configuration and properties – transition elements, chromium, copper, zinc, silver, interstitial compounds and alloys, f – block elements and extraction, lanthanides and actinides

Unit 5 – Solid state: Solids – amorphous and crystalline, classification of crystalline – unit cell, Miller indices – packing efficiency, unit cell dimensions, crystal structure, ionic crystals, imperfections in solids, electric and magnetic properties.

Unit 6 – Coordination compounds: Terminology in coordination- isomerism, Werner, VBT, CFT theories – Bio- coordination compounds.

Unit 7 – Gaseous State & Surface chemistry: Gaseous state and gas laws, deviation- van der Waal’s constants – Joule-Thomson effect – liquefaction of gases, theory of catalysis, colloids and emulsions.

Unit 8 – Colligative properties: Lowering of vapour pressure, Depression of freezing point, Elevation in boiling point, Osmotic pressure, abnormality – dissociation and association

Unit 9 – Electrochemistry: Faraday’s laws – specific, equivalent and molar conductances, Kohlraush’s law and applications- electrode potentials – EMF, electrochemical and, galvanic cells, Nernst equation, batteries, fuel cells, corrosion and its prevention.

Unit 10 -Thermodynamics: First and second law- internal energy, enthalpy, entropy, free energy changes– specific heats at constant pressure and constant volume – enthalpy of combustion, formation and neutralization, Kirchoff law
– Hess’s law – bond energy

Unit 11 – Chemical and Ionic Equilibrium: Law of chemical equilibrium, homogenous and heterogeneous equilibrium, Le Chatlier’s principle, equilibrium constants, factors affecting- Ionic equilibrium, ionization of acids and bases, buffer solutions, pH -solubility of sparingly soluble salts

Unit 12 – Chemical kinetics: Order, molecularity, rate and rate constant – first and second order reactions – temperature dependence, factors influencing rate of reaction, integrated rate equation, collision theory of chemical reaction

Unit 13 – Basic Organic chemistry: Classification, functional groups, nomenclature and isomerism, types of organic reactions, mechanism, purification, qualitative and quantitative analysis carbocation, carbanion and free radical, electron displacement in covalent bond.

Unit 14 – Hydrocarbons & Polymers: IUPAC nomenclature, alkanes –alkynes – aromatic hydrocarbons- nomenclature, preparation, physical and chemical properties uses. Polymerization – types, molecular mass, biodegradable and commercial polymers.

Unit 15 – Organic halogen compounds: Nature of C-X bond- preparation – properties and reactions of alkyl and aryl halides- polyhalogen compounds – substitution and elimination – mechanism- Grignard reagents.

Unit 16 – Stereochemistry and Organic nitrogen compounds: Preparation – properties and uses of Aliphatic and aromatic nitro compounds –aliphatic and aromatic amines, nitriles, Diazonium salts. – 1°, 2°, and 3° amines – distinction – Optical activity.

Unit 17 – Organic functional groups – hydroxyl, carbonyl compounds and ethers: Nomenclature, preparation, properties and uses of alcohols, ethers, aldehydes, ketones, aliphatic carboxylic acids, benzoic acid – salicylic acid.

Unit 18 – Biomolecules and Environmental chemistry: Carbohydrates, proteins, amino acids – enzymes, vitamins, and nucleic acids – lipids. Pollution. – air, water and soil – industrial waste, acid rain, greenhouse effect, global warming, Strategies to control pollution.

Unit 1: Diversity of Living Organisms
The Living World: Biodiversity; Need for classification; three domains of life; taxonomy and systematics; concept of species and taxonomical hierarchy; binomial nomenclature.
Biological Classification: Five kingdom classification; Salient features and classification of Monera, Protista and Fungi into major groups; Lichens, Viruses and Viroids.
Plant Kingdom: Classification of plants into major groups; Salient and distinguishing features and a few examples of Algae, Bryophyta, Pteridophyta, Gymnospermae
Animal Kingdom: Salient features and classification of animals, non-chordates up to phyla level and chordates up to class level

Unit 2: Structural Organization in Animals and Plant
Morphology of Flowering Plants: Morphology of different parts of flowering plants: root, stem, leaf, inflorescence, flower, fruit and seed. Description of family Solanaceae
Anatomy of Flowering Plants: Anatomy and functions of tissue systems in dicots and monocots. Structural Organisation in Animals: Morphology, Anatomy and functions of different systems of frog.

Unit 3: Cell Structure and Function
Cell-The Unit of Life: Cell theory and cell as the basic unit of life, structure of prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells; Plant cell and animal cell; cell envelope; cell membrane, cell wall; cell organelles – structure and function; endomembrane system, endoplasmic reticulum, golgi bodies, lysosomes, vacuoles, mitochondria, ribosomes, plastids, microbodies; cytoskeleton, cilia, flagella, centrioles (ultrastructure and function); nucleus.
Biomolecules: Chemical constituents of living cells: biomolecules, structure and function of proteins, carbohydrates, lipids, nucleic acids; Enzyme – types, properties, enzyme action.
Cell Cycle and Cell Division: Cell cycle, mitosis, meiosis and their significance

Unit 4: Plant Physiology
Photosynthesis in Higher Plants: Photosynthesis as a means of autotrophic nutrition; site of photosynthesis, pigments involved in photosynthesis (elementary idea); photochemical and biosynthetic phases of photosynthesis; cyclic and non-cyclic photophosphorylation; chemiosmotic hypothesis; photorespiration; C3 and C4 pathways; fa ctors affecting photosynthesis.
Respiration in Plants: Exchange of gases; cellular respiration – glycolysis, fermentation (anaerobic), TCA cycle and electron transport system (aerobic); energy relations – number of ATP molecules generated; amphibolic pathways; respiratory quotient.
Plant – Growth and Development: Seed germination; phases of plant growth and plant growth rate; conditions of growth; differentiation, dedifferentiation and redifferentiation; sequence of developmental processes in a plant cell; growth regulators – auxin, gibberellin, cytokinin, ethylene, ABA;

Unit 5: Human Physiology
Breathing and Exchange of Gases: Respiratory organs in animals (recall only); Respiratory system in humans; mechanism of breathing and its regulation in humans – exchange of gases, transport of gases and regulation of respiration, respiratory volume; disorders related to respiration – asthma, emphysema, occupational respiratory disorders.
Body Fluids and Circulation: Composition of blood, blood groups, coagulation of blood; composition of lymph and its function; human circulatory system – Structure of human heart and blood vessels; cardiac cycle, cardiac output, ECG; double circulation; regulation of cardiac activity; disorders of circulatory system – hypertension, coronary artery disease, angina pectoris, heart failure.
Excretory Products and their Elimination: Modes of excretion – ammonotelism, ureotelism, uricotelism; human excretory system – structure and function; urine formation, osmoregulation; regulation of kidney function – renin – angiotensin, atrial natriuretic factor, ADH and diabetes insipidus; role of other organs in excretion; disorders – uremia, renal failure, renal calculi, nephritis; dialysis and artificial kidney, kidney transplant.
Locomotion and Movement: Types of movement – ciliary, flagellar, muscular; skeletal muscle, contractile proteins and muscle contraction; skeletal system and its functions; joints; disorders of muscular and skeletal systems – myasthenia gravis, tetany, muscular dystrophy, arthritis, osteoporosis, gout.
Neural Control and Coordination: Neuron and nerves; Nervous system in humans – central nervous system; peripheral nervous system and visceral nervous system; generation and conduction of nerve impulse
Chemical Coordination and Integration: Endocrine glands and hormones; human endocrine system – hypothalamus, pituitary, pineal, thyroid, parathyroid, adrenal, pancreas, gonads; mechanism of hormone action (elementary idea); role of hormones as messengers and regulators, hypo – and hyperactivity and related disorders; dwarfism, acromegaly, cretinism, goiter, exophthalmic goitre, diabetes, Addison’s disease. Note: Diseases related to all the human physiological systems to be taught in brief.

Unit 6: Reproduction
Sexual Reproduction in Flowering Plants: Flower structure; development of male and female gametophytes; pollination – types, agencies and examples; out breeding devices; pollen-pistil interaction; double fertilization; post fertilization events – development of endosperm and embryo, development of seed and formation of fruit; special modes- apomixis, parthenocarpy, polyembryony; Significance of seed dispersal and fruit formation.
Human Reproduction: Male and female reproductive systems; microscopic anatomy of testis and ovary; gametogenesis
-spermatogenesis and oogenesis; menstrual cycle; fertilisation, embryo development upto blastocyst formation, implantation; pregnancy and placenta formation (elementary idea); parturition (elementary idea); lactation (elementary idea).
Reproductive Health: Need for reproductive health and prevention of Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs); birth control – need and methods, contraception and medical termination of pregnancy (MTP); amniocentesis; infertility and assisted reproductive technologies – IVF, ZIFT, GIFT (elementary idea for general awareness).

Unit 7: Genetics and Evolution
Heredity and variation: Mendelian inheritance; deviations from Mendelism – incomplete dominance, co-dominance, multiple alleles and inheritance of blood groups, pleiotropy; elementary idea of polygenic inheritance; chromosome theory of inheritance; chromosomes and genes; Sex determination – in humans, birds and honey bee; linkage and crossing over; sex linked inheritance – haemophilia, colour blindness; Mendelian disorders in humans – thalassemia; chromosomal disorders in humans; Down’s syndrome, Turner’s and Klinefelter’s syndromes.
Molecular Basis of Inheritance: Search for genetic material and DNA as genetic material; Structure of DNA and RNA; DNA packaging; DNA replication; Central Dogma; transcription, genetic code, translation; gene 8 expression and regulation – lac operon; Genome, Human and rice genome projects; DNA fingerprinting.
Evolution: Origin of life; biological evolution and evidences for biological evolution (paleontology, comparative anatomy, embryology and molecular evidences); Darwin’s contribution, modern synthetic theory of evolution; mechanism of evolution – variation (mutation and recombination) and natural selection with examples, types of natural selection; Gene flow and genetic drift; Hardy – Weinberg’s principle; adaptive radiation; human evolution

Unit 8 : Biology and Human Welfare:
Human Health and Diseases: Pathogens; parasites causing human diseases (malaria, dengue, chikungunya, filariasis, ascariasis, typhoid, pneumonia, common cold, amoebiasis, ring worm) and their control; Basic concepts of immunology – vaccines; cancer, HIV and AIDS; Adolescence – drug and alcohol abuse.
Microbes in Human Welfare: Microbes in food processing, industrial production, sewage treatment, energy generation and microbes as bio-control agents and bio-fertilizers. Antibiotics; production and judicious use.

Unit 9: Biotechnology and its Applications
Biotechnology – Principles and Processes: Genetic Engineering (Recombinant DNA Technology).
Biotechnology and its Applications: Application of biotechnology in health and agriculture: Human insulin and vaccine production, stem cell technology, gene therapy; genetically modified organisms – Bt crops; transgenic animals; biosafety issues, biopiracy and patents

Unit 10: Ecology and Environment
Organisms and Populations: Population interactions – mutualism, competition, predation, parasitism; population attributes – growth, birth rate and death rate, age distribution. (Topics excluded: Organism and its Environment, Major Aboitic Factors, Responses to Abioitic Factors, Adaptations)
Ecosystem: Ecosystems Patterns, components; productivity and decomposition; energy flow; pyramids of number, biomass, energy (Topics excluded: Ecological Succession and Nutrient Cycles)
Biodiversity and its Conservation: Biodiversity-Concept, patterns, importance; loss of biodiversity; biodiversity conservation; hotspots, endangered organisms, extinction, Red Data Book, Sacred Groves, biosphere reserves, national parks, wildlife, sanctuaries and Ramsar sites.

Articles, Synonyms, Antonyms, Preposition, verbs.