Modified on Monday, April 05, 2010

CHY104
Version No. Course Prerequisites: Objectives:

ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES
2.00 None

LTPC: 3 3

1. To make students understand and appreciate the unity of life in all its forms, the implications of life style on the environment. 2. To broaden the understanding of global climate changes and the importance of renewable sources of energy. 3. To give students a basic understanding of the major causes of environmental degradation on the planet, with specific reference to Indian situation 4. To inspire students to find ways in which they can contribute personally and professionally to prevent and rectify environmental problems Expected Outcome: Students will be able to 1. Understand the need for eco-balance. 2. Acquire basic knowledge about global climate change with a particular reference to the Indian context. 3. Find ways to protect the environment and play proactive roles Unit No. 1 Environment and Natural Resources Number of hours: 9 Definition, scope, importance; need for public awareness on natural resources Air, Water and Land. Forest resources use, exploitation, causes and consequences of deforestation. Water resources use of surface and subsurface water; effect of floods, drought, water conflicts. Land resources Land degradation, landslides, soil erosion and desertification. Energy resources renewable and non-renewable sources. Indian Case studies for all the resources. Unit No. 2 Ecosystem and Bio-diversity Number of hours: 9 Concept of ecosystem - Structure and function of an ecosystem, producers, consumers and decomposers, Food chains, food webs. Energy flow - ecological pyramids and ecological succession. Bio diversity: Definition, levels of biodiversity genetic biodiversity GM Crops. Species and ecosystem diversity values of biodiversity. Bio-geographical classification of India, hotspots, threats to biodiversity Conservation of bio-diversity. Unit No. 3 Environmental changes and Number of hours: 11 remediation Definition and Causes. Pollution effects and control measures of air, noise, water and soil. Thermal and nuclear hazards. Solid waste management: causes, effects and control measures of urban and industrial wastes. Case studies - Disaster management: Floods, earthquakes, cyclones, tsunami, tornados and landslides. Global climate change and greenhouse effect Kyoto Protocol, carbon credits, carbon sequestration, clean development mechanisms. Ozone depletion problem Montreal Protocol. Acid rain. Unit No. 4 Social Issues and the Environment Number of hours: 9

Urban problems related to energy and sustainable development - Water conservation, rain water harvesting, watershed management, problems related to rehabilitation case studies Wasteland reclamation Consumerism and waste products Environment Protection Act, Air, Water, Wildlife, Forest Conservation Acts, Environmental legislation and public awareness. Unit No. 5 Human Population and the Number of hours: 7 Environment Population growth, variation among nations, population explosion, Family Welfare Programme, environment and human health - Human rights and laws pertaining to environment, value education, HIV/AIDS, women and child welfare - Role of information technology - Case studies. Text 1. G. Tyler Miller Jr. and Scott Spoolman (2011), Environmental Science, Books 13th Edition, Brooks/Cole. 2. Anubha Kaushik and C.P. Kaushik (2008), Environmental Science and Engineering, 3rd Edition, New Age International. Referenc 1. Keerthinarayana and Daniel Yesudian (2004), Environmental Science es and Engineering, 1st Edition, Hi-Tech Publications. 2. Erach Bharucha (2005), Text Book of Environmental Studies, Universities Press (India) Pvt. Ltd. 3. G.M. Masters (2004), Introduction to Environmental Engineering and Science, Pearson Education Pvt Ltd. Mode of Evaluation Written examinations/Assignments/Seminars/ Quiz Date of Recommendation by BOS Date of Approval by the Academic Council