Fundamentals of Environmental Science

Paper Code: 
ENV 101
Credits: 
3
Contact Hours: 
45.00
Max. Marks: 
100.00
Objective: 

This course will enable the students to -

  1. Acquaint students with the subject and to make them learn the fundamentals of Ecology and Environment
  2. Lay emphasis on the basic understanding of ecosystem and its structural and functional aspects
  3. Make students understand the basic principles behind various environmental processes

Course Outcomes (COs):

Course

Course outcome

Learning and teaching strategies

Assessment Strategies

Paper Code

Paper Title

ENV 101

Fundamentals of Environmental Science

Upon completion of this course, the students will:

CO1: Appraise various components of the environment and interfaces

CO2: Analyse the role of Ecological principles to manage ecosystems

CO3: Develop a plan to spread awareness about the environment around us and conduct outreach activities

CO4: Evaluate the correlation between ecological dynamics and regulation of vital processes on earth as biogeochemical cycles

Approach in teaching:

Power point presentations

Instructional charts

Interactive lectures, Group discussions

Learning activities for the students:

Learning through memory game

Environmental issues related news reading and green file preparation

Case studies

Power point presentations, Assignments, Open book test, Peer and self-assessment, Poster making, Group activity, Class Test, Semester End Examinations

 

 

8.00
Unit I: 
Introduction to Environmental Science
  • Scope and Importance of Environmental Science
  • Multidisciplinary nature of Environmental Science
  • Origin and Evolution of Biosphere: Atmosphere of the Primitive Earth. Early Life forms, Origin of Life- Chemical basis, Evolution of Life forms through ages (Geological time scale) 
10.00
Unit II: 
Physical and Chemical Environment
  • Earth’s spheres and its components: Atmosphere, Hydrosphere, Lithosphere and Biosphere
  • Interaction of all the components (Atmosphere, Hydrosphere, Lithosphere and Biosphere)

 

10.00
Unit III: 
Ecological Concepts
  • Concept of Ecosystems
  • Types of Ecosystems
  • Ecosystem structure: Abiotic and Biotic
  • Liebig’s Law of Minimum
  • Shelford’s Law of Tolerance

 

10.00
Unit IV: 
Ecological Energetics
  • Laws of Thermodynamics
  • Food chains and food webs
  • Ecological pyramids
  • Energy Flow and its Models- Pipeline, Universal and Y-shaped model

 

7.00
Unit V: 
Biogeochemical cycles
  • Definition and importance
  • Hydrological
  • Carbon
  • Oxygen
  • Nitrogen
  • Phosphorus
  • Sulphur

 

Essential Readings: 

ESSENTIAL READINGS

  • Agrawal,K. C. (2001).Fundamentals of Environmental Biology. Bikaner (India): Nidhi Publishers.
  • Odum E.P. (1996). Fundamentals of Ecology. Dehradun: Natraj Publisher
  • Chapman,J. L. and Reiss, M. J. (1995).Ecology: Principles and Applications.  Cambridge: University Press
  • Santra, S. C. (2001). Environmental Science. New Central Book Agency (P) Ltd.
  • Sharma, P. D.  (1996). Ecology and Environment. Meerut: Rastogi Publications.

SUGGESTED READINGS

  • Cunningham, W.P. Cooper, T.H. Gorhani, E. and Hepworth, M.T. (2001). Environmental Encyclopaedia. Mumbai: Jaico Publ. House.
  • Kemp: The Environment Dictionary       
  • Odum, E.P. (1971). Fundamentals of Ecology. USA: W.B. Saunders Co.

 

Academic Year: