This course will enable the students to provide students with a clear understanding of environmental concerns and to follow sustainable development practices. To analyze concepts and methods from ecological and physical sciences and their application in environmental problem-solving.
Course |
Learning outcome (at course level) |
Learning and teaching strategies |
Assessment Strategies |
|
Course Code |
Course Title |
|||
24AENV200 |
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 deterioration of environment. CO53: Reflect critically on their roles, responsibilities, and identities as citizens, consumers and environmental actors in a complex, interconnected world. CO54: Contribute effectively in course-specific interaction |
Approach in teaching: Interactive sessions, Discussion, Tutorials, Reading assignments Learning activities for the students: Self learning assignments, Effective questions, Giving tasks
|
Continuous Assessment Test, Semester end examinations, Quiz, Solving problems in tutorials, Assignments, Presentation, Individual and group projects |
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
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.
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
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)
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)
Suggested Readings