INTRODUCTION TO ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE

Paper Code: 
ENV 121
Credits: 
5
Contact Hours: 
75.00
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

 

12.00
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

 

18.00
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
16.00
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
17.00
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: 
  • 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
  • Cunningham, W.P. Cooper, T.H. Gorhani, E. and Hepworth, M.T. (2001). Environmental Encyclopedia. Mumbai: Jaico Publ. House.         
  • Sharma, P. D.  (1996).Ecology and Environment. Meerut: Rastogi Publications.
  • Kormondy, E. J. (1969). Concepts of Ecology. The University of Michigan: Prentice-Hall
  • Townsend, C. Harper, J. and Begon, M. (2006).Essentials of Ecology. Blackwell Science
  • Miller, T. G.(1997). Environmental Science (6thed), Wadsworth Pub. Co.

 

Academic Year: 
2021-2022
  • Printer-friendly version
  • PDF version