Introduction to Environmental Science

Paper Code: 
24ENV121
Credits: 
4
Contact Hours: 
60.00
Max. Marks: 
100.00
Objective: 

This course will enable the students to -

  1. Develop a foundation on principles of Environmental Science and the concept of structure and function of different components of the Environment.
  2. Explore the interconnectedness among all the biotic and abiotic components of the 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: 

Course

Course Outcomes

Learning and teaching strategies

Assessment Strategies

Course

Code

Course Title

24ENV121

Introduction to Environmental Science

CO1: Appraise the history, importance, and multidisciplinary nature of environmental science; and the main subdivisions of ecology and their relevance in studying ecological phenomena.

CO2: Evaluate the basic concepts of ecological     and biological processes  that ensure the 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: Analyze the major areas of population ecology, interspecific interactions and interactions with the physical environment.

CO5: Analyse the patterns and basic types of biogeochemical cycles and the role of microbes in these cycles.

CO6: Contribute effectively in course-specific interaction

Approach in teaching:

Powerpoint

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, 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.
References: 

e-RESOURCES

JOURNALS

Academic Year: 
2024-2025
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