Introduction to Environmental Science

Paper Code: 
25ENV121
Credits: 
4
Contact Hours: 
4.00
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 the basic concept of ecological and biological processes that ensures the long-term stability of ecosystems

 

Course Outcomes: 

Upon completion of this course, students will:

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

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: 
2025-2026
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