Environmental Science

Paper Code: 
AENV 100
Credits: 
02
Contact Hours: 
30.00
Max. Marks: 
100.00
Objective: 

Course Objectives:

  1. To provide students with a clear understanding of environmental concerns and to follow sustainable development practices
  2. To analyze concepts and methods from ecological and physical sciences and their application in environmental problem-solving.

Course Outcomes(COs):

 

Course

Learning outcome (at course level)

Learning and teaching strategies

Assessment Strategies

Paper Code

Paper Title

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

AENV 100 /

AENV 200/ AENV 300

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Environmen tal Science

Upon completion of the paper, the student will:

CO1: Develop a comprehensive understanding of various ecological processes and environmental issues

CO2: Develop critical thinking for shaping strategies for environmental protection and conservation of biodiversity, social equity and sustainable development

CO3:           Evaluate                   the consequences of human actions on the environment and ways to prevent the deterioration the of environment

CO4: Reflect critically on their roles, responsibilities, and identities as citizens, consumers and environmental actors in a complex, interconnected world.

Approach in teaching:

Interactive Lectures, Discussions, PowerPoint Presentations, Informative videos

 

 

Learning activities for the students:

Self-learning assignments, Effective questions, presentations, Field trips

Quiz, Poster Presentations,

PowerPoint Presentations, Individual and group projects, Open Book Tests Semester End Examination

 

6.00
Unit I: 
Introduction to Environment and Ecosystem
  • Scope of Environmental Studies and its applications
  • Relationship of Environmental Studies with other subjects (Multidisciplinary nature of Environment)
  • Concept of sustainability and sustainable development
  • Environmentally important dates and abbreviations
  • Types of Ecosystems and their general characteristics
  • Producers, consumers and decomposers
  • Energy flow in the ecosystem
  • Food chains, food webs and ecological pyramids
  • Ecological Succession

 

 

5.00
Unit II: 
Natural Resources: Renewable and Non-renewable Resources
  • Land resources and land use change; Land degradation, soil erosion and desertification.
  • Deforestation: Causes and impacts due to mining, dam building on the environment, forests, biodiversity and tribal populations.
  • Water: Use and over-exploitation of surface and groundwater, floods, droughts
  • Energy resources: Renewable and non-renewable energy sources, use of alternate energy sources, growing energy needs, case studies.

 

6.00
Unit III: 
Biodiversity and Conservation
  • Levels of biological diversity: genetic, species and ecosystem diversity
  • India as a mega-biodiversity nation; Biogeographic zones of India
  • Biodiversity patterns and global biodiversity hot spots
  • Endangered and endemic species of India
  • Threats to biodiversity: Habitat loss, poaching of wildlife, man-wildlife conflicts, biological invasions
  • Conservation of biodiversity: In-situ and Ex-situ conservation of biodiversity.
  • Names of International and National agencies related to biodiversity conservation

 

8.00
Unit IV: 
Environmental Issues
  • Types, Causes, effects and control measures of: Air pollution; Water pollution; Soil pollution; Noise pollution
  • Pollution case studies
  • Solid waste management: Control measures of urban and industrial waste.
  • Nuclear hazards and human health risks
  • Global environmental issues: Climate change, global warming, ozone layer depletion, acid rain and impacts on human communities and agriculture
  • Environment Laws: Environment Protection Act,1986; Air (Prevention & Control of Pollution) Act, 1981; Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974; Wildlife Protection Act, 1972; Forest Conservation Act, 1980
  • International agreements: Montreal Protocol, Kyoto Protocol and Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD)

 

5.00
Unit V: 
Human Communities and the Environment

 

  • Human population growth: Impacts on environment, human health and welfare
  • Resettlement and rehabilitation of project-affected persons; case studies
  • Disaster management: floods, earthquakes, cyclones and landslides
  • Role of women in Environmental Conservation
  • Environmental movements: Chipko, Silent Valley, Bishnois of Rajasthan
  • Environmental ethics: Role of Indian and other religions and cultures in environmental conservation
  • Environmental communication and public awareness, case studies (e.g., CNG vehicles in Delhi)

 

Essential Readings: 
  • Belsare, D. K. (2007). Introduction to Biodiversity. APH Publishing Corporation.
  • Pandey, B. N. (2003). Biodiversity Conservation, Environmental Pollution and Ecology. Ashish Publishing House
  • Agarwal, K. C. (2001). Environmental Biology. Bikaner: Nidhi Publication Ltd.
  • Barucha, E. (2004). The Biodiversity of India. Ahmedabad: Mapin Publishing Pvt. Ltd.
  • Bhatia, A. L., & Kohli, K. S. (2015). Ecology and Environmental Biology. RBD publishing house.
  • Santra, S. (2011). Environmental Science. New Central Book Agency Pvt. Ltd.
  • Sharma, P. D. (2008). Ecology and Environment. Rastogi Publications.

 

References: 

SUGGESTED READINGS

  • Wang, Y. (2014). Encyclopedia of Natural Resources 2 Vol. Taylor and Francis.
  • De, A. K. (2003). Environmental Chemistry (5th Ed.). New Age Intl. (p) Ltd.
  • Miller, G. T. (2013). Environmental Science. Cengage Larning.
  • Prabu, P. (2009). Ecology and environmental Science. Avinash Paperbacks.
  • Singh, S. (1991). Environmental Geography. Prayag Pustak Bhawan.

 

e-RESOURCES

 

Academic Year: 
2023-2024
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