Environmental Studies (Theory)

Paper Code: 
24AENV200
Credits: 
2
Contact Hours: 
30.00
Max. Marks: 
100.00
Objective: 

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 Outcomes: 

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 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                       

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     

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

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                                                                    

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

 

References: 
  1. Pepper, I.L., Gerba, C.P. & Brusseau, M.L. 2011. Environmental and Pollution Science. Academic Press.
  2. Rao, M.N. & Datta, A.K. 1987. Waste Water Treatment. Oxford and IBH Publishing Co. Pvt. Ltd.
  3. Raven, P.H., Hassenzahl, D.M. & Berg, L.R. 2012. Environment. 8th edition. John Wiley & Sons.
  4. Rosencranz, A., Divan, S., & Noble, M. L. 2001. Environmental law and policy in India. Tripathi 1992.

 

Academic Year: 
2024-2025
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