Annexure ‘CD – 01’

Course Title: INTRODUCTION TO ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES L T P/S SW/FW TOTAL

CREDIT
Course Code: EVS104 UNITS
3 - - - 3
Credit Units: 03

Course Objectives: The importance of environmental science and environmental studies cannot be disputed. The need for sustainable development is a key to
the future of mankind. Continuing problems of pollution, loss of forget, solid waste disposal, degradation of environment, issues like economic productivity and
national security, Global warming, the depletion of ozone layer and loss of biodiversity have made everyone aware of environmental issues. It is clear that no
citizen of the earth can afford to be ignorant of environment issues. Environmental management has captured the attention of health care managers. Managing
environmental hazards has become very important. The objective is to sensitise students about the environmental crisis and how to overcome them.

Pre-requisites: Basic knowledge of science and humanity

Student Learning Outcomes: By the end of the course students will:

 To help students acquire awareness and sensitivity to the total environment and its allied problems
 To help students acquire a basic knowledge and understanding of the environment active participation in its improvement and resolution of its
associated problems
 To provide students with an opportunity to be actively involved at all levels in working towards resolution of the environmental problems
 To help students acquire the skill for identifying and solving environmental problems
 To help students acquire a set of values and feelings of concern for the environment and motivation for active participation in the activities regarding
environmental improvement and protection

Course Contents/Syllabus:
Course Contents/Syllabus: Weightage
(%)
Module I : The Multidisciplinary Nature of Environmental Studies & Natural Resources 20

Definition, scope and importance Need for public awareness.

Types of natural resources, natural resource conservation, Land resources: Land as a resource, land degradation, Soil erosion, Forest resources: Use and
over-exploitation, deforestation, case studies, Water resources: Use and over-utilization of surface and ground water, Mineral resources: Use and
exploitation, environmental effects of extracting and using mineral resources, case studies, Food resources: Food resources effects of modern agriculture,
fertilizer-pesticide problems, water logging, salinity, case studies, Energy resources renewable and non-renewable energy sources, Changes caused by
agriculture and overgrazing, Energy resources use of alternate energy sources, case studies, Role of individual in conservation of natural resources,
Equitable use of resources for sustainable lifestyles, Desertification, man induced landslides, Timber extraction, dams and their effects on forests and tribal
people, Floods, drought, conflicts over water, Case studies, Uses of minerals and steps of mining and World food problems, Energy resources: Growing
energy needs, Case Studies
Module II: Ecosystems 20
Concept of an ecosystem & Types of ecosystem, Structure and function of an ecosystem, Producers, consumers and decomposers, Energy flow in the
ecosystem, Productivity, Food chains, food webs, Ecological pyramids, Ecological succession.
Introduction of different Ecosystems, Types, characteristic features, structure and function of Forest ecosystem, Grassland ecosystem and Desert
ecosystem, Aquatic ecosystems (ponds, streams, lakes, rivers, ocean estuaries), Case studies of various ecosystems.
 Visit to a local area to document environmental assets—river/forest/grassland/hill/ mountain, Study of simple ecosystems—pond,
river, hill slopes, etc.

Module III : Biodiversity and Its Conservation 20

Introduction - Definition: genetic, species and ecosystem diversity, Value of biodiversity: consumptive use, productive use, social, ethical aesthetic and
option values, Biogeographical classification of India with respect to phytogeography & Zoogeography, India as a mega-diversity nation, Hot-spots of
biodiversity, Threats to biodiversity: habitat loss, poaching of wildlife, Conservation of biodiversity: In-situ and Ex-situ conservation of biodiversity.
Various national parks, sanctuaries and biosphere reserves, laboratories, organizations for biodiversity conservation in India, Endemism in India with
special reference to Hotspots in India, Biodiversity at global, national and local levels, Man wildlife conflicts, Case studies of loss and extinction of
biodiversity
 Visit to a local area to document environmental assets—river/forest/grassland/hill/ mountain, Study of common plants, insects, birds.
Module IV: Environmental Pollution
Definition, Cause and effects and control measures of :- Air pollution, Water pollution, Noise pollution, Soil pollution, Marine pollution, nuclear and 20
Thermal pollution and Nuclear hazards, Introduction to various disasters, Solid waste Management: Causes, effects and control measures of urban and
industrial wastes. Visit to a local polluted site—Urban/Rural/Industrial/Agricultural
Disaster management: floods, earthquake, cyclone and landslides, Pollution case studies, Role of an individual in prevention of pollution, Various types
of disasters and 5R’s and solution for waste management, Introduction to ETP/STP/organic farm etc facilities at the campus.
 ETP/STP/organic farm etc facilities at the campus
Module V: Social Issues and the Environment & Human Population and the Environment

Social Issues and the Environment : Water conservation, rain water harvesting, watershed management, Climate change, global warming, Acid rain, 20
ozone layer depletion, Environment Protection Act, Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, Water (Prevention and control of Pollution) Act,
Wildlife Protection Act, Forest Conservation Act, Resettlement and rehabilitation of people; its problems and concerns. From Unsustainable to Sustainable
development, Urban problems related to energy, Wasteland reclamation, Consumerism and waste products & Nuclear accidents and holocaust. Case
Studies. Environmental ethics: Issues and possible solutions.
Human Population and the Environment: Population growth, variation among nations, Population explosion – Family Welfare Programme,
Environment and human health. Human Rights, Value Education. Need of environmental Education, Role of Information Technology in Environment and
human health. HIV/AIDS. Women and Child Welfare,Reason for growing populations and the government policies to curb the problem, Various water
borne diseases and disease associated with poor and unhygienic environment, Various Case Studies related to society, environmental health.
Pedagogy for Course Delivery: Course will be delivered through both power point presentation and black board teaching. Students will be provided with
reference materials in form of handouts or PPTs. Regular internal assessment will be done through class seminar and class test for evaluating the continuous
progress of students.

Assessment/ Examination Scheme:

Theory L/T (%) Lab/Practical/Studio (%) Total Marks

100% - 100

Theory Assessment (L&T):

Continuous Assessment/Internal Assessment End Term Examination

Components Class Test Home Seminar/viva/Quiz Attendance

(Drop down) Assignment

Weightage (%) 10% 5% 10% 5% 70%

Text & References:

 Kaushik & Kaushik , “principal of environmental studies”
 Asthana and Asthana, A textbook of Environmental Studies.
 Kaushik and Kaushik, Fundamentals of Environmental Studies.
 Gauba Dhawan and Bisht Environmental Studies, Challenges & Solutions A quick Compendium.
 Somvanshi and Dhupper, Fundamentals of Environmental Studies.
 Bharucha Erach, The Biodiversity of India, Mapin Publishing Pvt. Ltd., Ahmedabad – 380 013, India, Email:mapin@icenet.net (R)
 Down to Earth, Centre for Science and Environment (R)