Introduction to Environmental Science

Paper Code: 
ENV 121
Credits: 
4
Contact Hours: 
60.00
Max. Marks: 
100.00
Objective: 

This course will enable the students to -

1.      Develop foundation on principles of Environmental Science and concept of structure and function of different components of the Environment.

2.      Explore the interconnectedness among all the biotic and abiotic components of environment and the dynamic nature of the ecological processes in maintaining equilibrium in nature

3.      Lay foundation on basic concept of ecological and biological processes that ensures long-term stability of ecosystems

 

Course Outcomes (COs):

Course

Course outcome

Learning and teaching strategies

Assessment Strategies

Paper

Code

Paper Title

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ENV 121

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Introduction to Environmental Science

Upon completion of this course, students will:

CO1: Appraise the physical and chemical factors that influence organisms, their

physiology,      and ecosystem function.

CO2: Evaluate the basic concept    of         ecological and biological processes that         ensure         long-term stability of ecosystems CO3:        Examine the ecological patterns and processes at levels of organization above the population,     including community ecology and ecosystem ecology

CO4: Critically analyze the role of Ecological principles to manage

ecosystems

CO5: Examine the differences between the operations of natural and managed ecosystems and develop models for their sustainable growth and development.

CO6: Analyze the major areas of population ecology, interspecific interactions  and interactions with the physical environment.

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

Assignment, Open Book test

Poster making on, Environmental Issues

Group Activity, Quiz, Class             Test, Semester End Examination

 

10.00
Unit I: 
Basic concepts of Ecology and Environmental Science
  • Gaia hypothesis
  • Main subdivisions of ecology: Based on taxonomic categories /habitat/levels of organization
  • History, Importance and Scope of Environmental Science
  • Multidisciplinary nature of Environmental Science
14.00
Unit II: 
Ecosystem Dynamics
  • Types of ecosystems
  •  Concept of ecosystems-structure and function
  •  Combined concept of Limiting factors
  •   First and Second law of thermodynamics
  •   Ecological efficiency
  •   Energy flow in ecosystems and energy flow models
  •   Food-chains and food webs
  •   Homeostasis of the Ecosystem
  •   Ecological pyramids
14.00
Unit III: 
Community dynamics
  • The Biotic Community Concept
  • Characteristics of a community
  • Concept of Ecological Dominance
  • Ecotones and Edge Effect
  • Productivity: concept and its measurement
  • Habitat and Ecological Niche
  • Ecological Succession: Causes, attributes, process, trends, bioenergetics and concept of climax
12.00
Unit IV: 
Population Dynamics
  • Population characteristics: Density, dispersion, age, structure, natality, mortality
  • Growth Forms:J and S forms
  • Concept of Carrying capacity
  • Population fluctuation
  • Population regulation
  • Factors affecting population explosion
  • Life history strategies (r and K selection)
  • Interactions amongst populations: intra- and interspecific interactions
  • Negative interactions:Predation, parasitism and antibiosis
  • Positive interactions: Commensalism, cooperation and mutualism.
10.00
Unit V: 
Biogeochemical Cycling
  • Biogeochemical cycles: Patterns and basic types of cycles
  • Hydrological
  • Carbon
  • Oxygen
  • Nitrogen
  • Phosphorus
  • Sulphur
  • Role of microbes in biogeochemical cycles
Essential Readings: 

ESSENTIAL READINGS

  • Odum E.P. (1996). Fundamentals of Ecology. Dehradun: Natraj Publisher
  • Sharma, P. D. (1996).Ecology and Environment. Meerut: Rastogi Publications.
  • Kormondy, E. J. (1969). Concepts of Ecology. The University of Michigan: Prentice-Hall

SUGGESTED READINGS:

  • Chapman,J. L. and Reiss, M. J. (1995).Ecology: Principles and Applications. Cambridge: University Press
  • Cunningham, W.P. Cooper, T.H. Gorhani, E. and Hepworth, M.T. (2001). Environmental Encyclopedia. Mumbai: Jaico Publ. House.
  • Townsend, C. Harper, J. and Begon, M. (2006).Essentials of Ecology. Blackwell Science
  • Miller, T. G.(1997). Environmental Science (6thed), Wadsworth Pub. Co.

e-RESOURCES

JOURNALS

Academic Year: 
2023-2024
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