KUK - LMS

Syllabus

MODULE NO / UNIT	COURSE SYLLABUS CONTENTS OF MODULE	NOTES
Course Code: EI-MC-112 Course Name: Environmental Science
1	The Multidisciplinary nature of environmental studies Definition, scope and importance, Need for public awareness.
2	Natural Renewable and non-renewable resources:Natural resources and associated problems. a) Forest resources: Use and over-exploitation, deforestation, case studies. Timber extraction, mining, dams and their effects on forests and tribal people. b) Water resources: Use and over-utilization of surface and ground water, floods, drought, conflicts over water, dams-benefits and problems. c) Food resources: World food problems, changes caused by agriculture and overgrazing, effects of modern agriculture, fertilizer-pesticide problems, water logging, salinity, case studies. d) Energy resources: Growing energy needs, renewable and non-renewable energy sources, use of alternate energy sources. Case studies. e) Land resources: Land as a resource, land degradation, man induced landslides, soil erosion and desertification. • Role of an individual in conservation of natural resources.
3	Ecosystems: Concept of an ecosystem, Structure and function of an ecosystem, Producers, consumers and decomposers, Energy flow in the ecosystem, Ecological succession, Food chains, food webs and ecological pyramids,
4	Biodiversity and its conservation: • Introduction - Definition: genetic, species and ecosystem diversity. • Value of biodiversity: consumptive use, productive use, social, ethical, aesthetic and option values. • Hot-spots of biodiversity. • Threats to biodiversity: habitat loss, poaching of wildlife, man-wildlife conflicts. • Endangered and endemic species of India. • Conservation of biodiversity: in-situ and ex-situ conservation of biodiversity
5	Environmental Pollution Definition • Causes, effects and control measures of: Air pollution, Water pollution, Soil pollution, Marine pollution, Noise pollution, Thermal pollution, Nuclear hazards • Solid waste Management: Causes, effects and control measures of urban and industrial wastes. • Role of an individual in prevention of pollution. • Disaster management
6	Social Issues and the Environment • From Unsustainable to Sustainable development • Urban problems related to energy • Water conservation, rain water harvesting, watershed management • Resettlement and rehabilitation of people; its problems and concerns. Case studies. • Environmental ethics: Issues and possible solutions. • Climate change, global warming, acid rain, ozone layer depletion, nuclear accidents and holocaust. Case studies. • Wasteland reclamation. • Consumerism and waste products. • Environment Protection Act. • Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act. • Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act • Wildlife Protection Act • Forest Conservation Act • Issues involved in enforcement of environmental legislation • Public awareness.
7	Human Population and the Environment • Population growth, variation among nations • Population explosion - Family Welfare Programme • Environment and human health. • Human Rights. • Value Education. • HIV/AIDS • Women and Child Welfare.
8	Field Work: • Visit to a local area to document environmental assets-river / forest / grassland / hill / mountain. • Visit to a local polluted site-Urban/Rural / Industrial / Agricultural. • Study of common plants, insects, birds. • Study of simple ecosystems - pond, river, hill slopes, etc.