Environmental Studies (Theory)

Paper Code: 
24AENV100
Credits: 
02
Periods/week: 
02
Max. Marks: 
100.00
Objective: 

The course will enable the students to

  1. Develop a comprehensive understanding of various environmental issues.
  2. Recognize the consequences of human actions on the environment and to     prevent deterioration of environment

 

Course Outcomes: 

Course

Learning outcome

(at course level)

Learning and teaching strategies

Assessment Strategies

Course

 Code

Course

Title

24AENV 100

Environmental Studies

(Theory)

 

CO49. Develop a comprehensive understanding of various ecological processes and environmental issues

 CO50. Evaluate the holistic

issues related to natural

resources and sustainable

development.

CO51. Develop critical thinking for shaping strategies for environmental protection and conservation of biodiversity, social

equity and sustainable development

CO52. Evaluate the consequences of human actions on the environment and ways to prevent the deterioration of the

           environment

CO53. Reflect critically the roles, responsibilities, and identities of human beings as citizens, consumers and environmental actors in a complex, interconnected world.

CO54 Contribute effectively in course-specific interaction

Approach in teaching: Interactive Lectures, Discussion, Power Point Presentations, Informative videos

 

Learning activities for the students:

Self-learning assignments, Effective questions, presentations, Field trips

Quiz,  Poster Presentations, Power Point Presentations, Individual and group projects, Open Book Test, Semester End Examination

 

6.00
Unit I: 
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
  • 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
  • Land resources and land use change; Land degradation, soil erosion and       desertification.
  • Deforestation: Causes and impacts due to mining, dam building on the environment, forests, biodiversity and tribal populations.
  • Water: Use and over-exploitation of surface and groundwater, 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
  • 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
  • Names of International and National agencies related to biodiversity conservation

 

6.00
Unit IV: 
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 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: 

SUGGESTED TEXT BOOKS

  1. Agarwal, K. C. (2001). Environmental Biology. Bikaner: Nidhi Publication Ltd.
  2. Barucha, E. (2004). The Biodiversity of India. Ahmedabad: Mapin Publishing Pvt. Ltd.
  3. Begon, C. a. (2006). Essentials of Ecology. Blackwell.
  4. Belsare, D. K. (2007). Introduction to Biodiversity. APH Publishing Corporation.
  5. Bhatia, A. L., &Kohli, K. S. (2015). Ecology and Environmental Biology. RBD publishing house.
  6. De, A. K. (2003). Environmental Chemistry (5th Ed.). New Age Intl. (p) Ltd.
  7. Miller, G. T. (2013). Environmental Science. Cengage Larning.
  8. Odum, E. (1971). Fundamentals of Ecology. W.B. Saunders Co. USA.
  9. Prabu, P. (2009). Ecology and environmental Science. Avinash Paperbacks.

 

REFERENCES: 

SUGGESTED REFERENCE BOOKS

  1. Rajagopalan, R. (2005). Environmental Studies. Oxford University Press.
  2. Santra, S. (2011). Environmental Science. New Central Book Agency Pvt. Ltd.
  3. Sharma, P. D. (2008). Ecology and Environment. Rastogi Publications.
  4. Singh, S. (1991). Environmental Geography. Prayag PustakBhawan.
  5. Srivastava, K. (2002). An Introduction to Environmental Studies. Kalyani Publishers.

e-RESOURCES:

  1. Science and Environment ,Academia:https://www.academia.edu/39981526/SCIENCE_and_THE_ENVIRONMENT
  2.  Environment Science, Slide share:https://www.slideshare.net/kevinlinson/environmental-science-and-classifications-136689106?from_search=15

 

Academic Year: 
2024-25
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