Environmental Science

Paper Code: 
AENV 200
Credits: 
2
Contact Hours: 
30.00
Max. Marks: 
100.00
Objective: 
  • Develop critical thinking for shaping strategies for environmental protection and conservation of biodiversity, social equity and sustainable development.

Course Outcome:

Course

Learning outcome (at course level)

Learning and teaching strategies

Assessment Strategies

Course Code

Course Title

AENV 200

Environmental

Science

Upon completion of the paper, student will:

 

CO 53: Develop a comprehensive understanding of various ecological processes and environmental issues.

 

CO 54: Develop critical thinking for shaping strategies for environmental protection and conservation of biodiversity, social equity and sustainable development.

 

CO 55: Evaluate the consequences of human actions on the environment and ways to prevent deterioration of environment.

 

CO 56: Reflect critically on their roles, responsibilities, and identities as citizens, consumers and environmental actors in a complex, interconnected world.

Approach in teaching:

Interactive Hours, Discussion, Tutorials, Reading assignments

 

Learning activities for the students:

Self learning assignments, Effective questions, Giving tasks

 

Class test, Semester end examinations, Quiz, Solving problems in tutorials, Assignments, Presentation, Individual and group projects
 

 

6.00
Unit I: 
Introduction to Environment and Ecosystem

Introduction to Environment and Ecosystem
Scope of Environmental Studies and its applications
Relationship of Environmental Studies with other subjects (Multidisciplinary nature of Environment)
Concept of sustainability and sustainable development.
Environmentally important dates and abbreviations
Structure and function of an ecosystem
Types of Ecosystems and their general characteristics
Producers, consumers and decomposers
Energy flow in the ecosystem
Food chains, food webs and ecological pyramids
Ecological Succession

6.00
Unit II: 
Natural Resources: Renewable and Non-renewable Resources

Natural Resources: Renewable and Non-renewable Resources
Land resources and landuse change; Land degradation, soil erosion and desertification.
Deforestation: Causes and impacts due to mining, dam building on environment, forests, biodiversity and tribal populations.
Water : Use and over-exploitation of surface and ground water, floods, droughts
Energy resources: Renewable and non renewable energy sources, use of alternate energy sources, growing energy needs, case studies.

6.00
Unit III: 
Biodiversity and Conservation

Biodiversity and Conservation
Levels of biological diversity: genetic, species and ecosystem diversity
India as a mega-biodiversity nation; Biogeographic zones of India
Biodiversity patterns and global biodiversity hot spots
Endangered and endemic species of India
Threats to biodiversity: Habitat loss, poaching of wildlife, man-wildlife conflicts, biological invasions
Conservation of biodiversity: In-situ and Ex-situ conservation of biodiversity
Ecosystem and biodiversity services: Ecological, economic, social, ethical, aesthetic and Informational value

6.00
Unit IV: 
Environmental Pollution

Environmental Pollution
Types, Causes, effects and control measures of : Air pollution; Water pollution; Soil pollution; Noise pollution
Pollution case studies
Solid waste management: Control measures of urban and industrial waste.
Nuclear hazards and human health risks
Global environmental issues: Climate change, global warming, ozone layer depletion, acid rain and impacts on human communities and agriculture
Environment Laws: Environment Protection Act,1986; Air (Prevention & Control of Pollution) Act, 1981; Water (Prevention and control of Pollution) Act, 1974; Wildlife Protection Act, 1972; Forest Conservation Act, 1980
International agreements: Montreal protocol, Kyoto protocol and Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD)

6.00
Unit V: 
Human Communities and the Environment

Human Communities and the Environment
Human population growth: Impacts on environment, human health and welfare
Resettlement and rehabilitation of project affected persons; case studies
Disaster management : floods, earthquake, cyclones and landslides
Environmental movements : Chipko, Silent valley, Bishnois of Rajasthan
Environmental ethics: Role of Indian and other religions and cultures in environmental conservation
Environmental communication and public awareness, case studies (e.g., CNG vehicles in Delhi)

Essential Readings: 

• Bharucha Erach, The Biodiversity of India, Mapin Publishing Pvt. Ltd., Ahmedabad –380 013, India, Email:mapin@icenet.net
• Groom, Martha J., Gary K. Meffe, and Carl Ronald Carroll. Principles of Conservation Biology. Sunderland: Sinauer Associates, 2006.
• Grumbine, R. Edward, and Pandit, M.K. 2013. Threats from India’s Himalaya dams. Science, 339: 36-37.
• McCully, P. 1996. Rivers no more: the environmental effects of dams (pp. 29-64). Zed Books.
• McNeill, John R. 2000. Something New Under the Sun: An Environmental History of the Twentieth Century.
• Odum, E.P., Odum, H.T. & Andrews, J. 1971. Fundamentals of Ecology. Philadelphia: Saunders.

References: 

• Pepper, I.L., Gerba, C.P. & Brusseau, M.L. 2011. Environmental and Pollution Science. Academic Press.
• Rao, M.N. & Datta, A.K. 1987. Waste Water Treatment. Oxford and IBH Publishing Co. Pvt. Ltd.
• Raven, P.H., Hassenzahl, D.M. & Berg, L.R. 2012. Environment. 8th edition. John Wiley & Sons.
• Rosencranz, A., Divan, S., & Noble, M. L. 2001. Environmental law and policy in India. Tripathi 1992.
• Sengupta, R. 2003. Ecology and economics: An approach to sustainable development. OUP.

Academic Year: 
2022-2023
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