Annexure ‘CD – 01’

Course Title: Fundamentals of Environmental Studies

Credit Units:2

Course Code: ESCM114 L T P SW/ No. TOTAL

/S FW of CREDIT
Course Level-UG PSD UNITS
A
- 1 - 2 5 2
Course Objectives:

To give students an understanding of how science and the scientific method work to address environmental problems.  The student will become familiar with the
Earth’s major systems (ecosystems and biogeochemical cycles), how they function and how they are affected by human activity (population growth, air, water and
soil pollution, ozone depletion, global warming, solid waste disposal). Students will learn about the interaction of human society (urban sprawl, energy
use/generation, resource consumption and economics) with the Earth’s systems.

Pre-requisites: Elementary knowledge of environment

Course Contents/Syllabus:

Weightage (%)
Module I: - Scope Of Environmental Studies And Natural Resource Management
 Introduction, definition and importance of environmental studies, need for public awareness, sensitisation and participation, Types of
natural resources, natural resource conservation,
 Land resources: Land as a resource, land degradation, man induced landslides, Land resources: soil erosion and desertification.
 Forest resources: Use and over-exploitation, deforestation, case studies. Timber extraction, mining, dams and their effects on forests
and tribal people.
 Water resources: Use and over-utilization of surface and ground water, floods, drought, conflicts over water, dams-benefits and 20
problems.
 Mineral resources: Use and exploitation, environmental effects of extracting and using mineral resources, case studies.
 Food resources: World food problems, changes caused by agriculture and overgrazing, Food resources effects of modern agriculture,
 fertilizer pesticide problems, water logging, salinity, case studies.
 Energy resources: Growing energy needs, Energy resources renewable and non-renewable energy sources, Energy resources use of
alternate energy sources, case studies.
 Role of individual in conservation of natural resources
 Equitable use of resources for sustainable lifestyles.

Module II: Ecosystems

 Concept of an ecosystem,
 Types of ecosystem,
 Structure and function of an ecosystem, Producers, consumers and decomposers.
 Energy flow in the ecosystem, Food chains, food webs and ecological pyramids. 20
 Ecological succession. 6. Introduction, types,
 characteristic features, structure and function of Forest ecosystem, Grassland ecosystem and Desert ecosystem, Aquatic ecosystems
 (ponds, streams, lakes, rivers, ocean estuaries)

Module III: Biodiversity

 Introduction - Definition: genetic, species and ecosystem diversity
 Biogeographical classification of India
 Value of biodiversity: consumptive use, productive use, social, ethical aesthetic and option values
 Biodiversity at global, national and local levels, India as a mega-diversity nation
 Hotspots of biodiversity, 20
 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
 Biological Diversity Act, 2002

Module IV: Environmental Pollution

 Definition Cause, effects and control measures of :-
o Air pollution
o Water pollution
o Soil pollution
o Marine pollution
o Noise pollution 20
o Thermal pollution
o Nuclear hazards
 Solid waste Management: Causes, effects and control measures of urban and industrial wastes.
 Role of an individual in prevention of pollution.
 Pollution case studies.
  Disaster management: floods, earthquake, cyclone and landslides

Module V: Social issues, Human Population, and its Impact on the Environment
Social Issues and the Environment
 Environment From Unsustainable to Sustainable development
 Urban problems related to energy
 Water conservation, rainwater harvesting, watershed management
 Resettlement and rahabilitation of people; its problems and concerns.
 Environmental ethics: Issues and possible solutions.
20
 Climate change, global warming, acid rain, ozone layer depletion, nuclear accidents and holocaust.
 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.
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.
 Role of Information Technology in Environment and human health. Case Studies.

Course Learning Outcomes:

1. Define the interconnection and interdisciplinary nature of environmental studies

2. Demonstrate an integrative approach to environmental issues with a focus on sustainability
3. Utilize the knowledge and explain the effects of human activities on natural resources
4. Explain the structure and composition of different types of ecosystems and bio-geochemical cycle
5. Determine and explain the importance of various Environmental Laws
6. Compile and critically examine the roles and responsibilities of human population in conservation of environment

Mapping Continuous Evaluation Components/Graduate Attributes with CLOs

Bloom’s Level > Remembering Understanding Applying Analyzing Evaluating Create

Course Learning Outcomes CLO1 CLO2 CLO3 CLO4 CLO5 CLO6

Define the Demonstrate an Utilize the Explain the Determine and Compile and
interconnection integrative knowledge structure and explain the critically examine
and approach to and explain composition of importance of the roles and
interdisciplinary environmental the effects of different types of various responsibilities of
nature of issues with a human ecosystems and Environmental human population
environmental focus on activities on bio-geochemical Laws in conservation of
studies  sustainability  natural cycle environment
Graduate attributes resources

1. Discipline Knowledge &    

Expertise 

2. Self-Directed and Active      

Learning 
3. Research and Enquiry   

4. Information &  
Communication
Technology Skills 
5. Critical Thinking &      
Problem-Solving Abilities 
6. Communication Skills       

7. Creativity, Innovation &   

Reflective Thinking 
8. Analytical & Decision-  
Making Ability 
9. Leadership & Teamwork     

10. Multicultural  
Understanding & Global
Outlook 
11. Integrity and Ethics       

12. Social & Emotional Skills       

13. Employability, Enterprise  

& Entrepreneurship 
14. Lifelong Learning       

15. Environment &      

Sustainability 
 Pedagogy for Course Delivery:

Blended mode lectures

Presentation/ seminars /quiz/ Discussion Forum
Problem based learnings
Case study
Subject Expert guest lectures
PSDA

Self-Work
Studying and exploring the various national and international organization working for environment.
Exploring the scope of environmental knowledge in addressing the common problems of environmental like creating awareness.
Doing surveys to find out the environmental issues in the nearby areas
Defining the environmental problems and studying the case studies, movements and environmentalist associated with it.

List of Professional Skill Development Activities (PSDA):

i. Group discussion
ii. MCQs based Quiz
iii. Home Assignment based on case studies
iv. Presentation
v. Project based on surveys and model

Lab/ Practical details, if applicable: NA

Assessment/ Examination Scheme:

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

100 NA

Theory Assessment (L&T):

Continuous Assessment/Internal Assessment End Term Examination

Components (Drop down) Amity MOOCs Home Assignment Attendance

Weightage (%) 30 5 05 60
Assessment of Practical/ Examination Scheme:
Continuous Assessment/Internal Assessment End Term Examination
Components (Drop down Lab performance Lab records Viva ATTN. Viva Practical Total

Weightage (%) -- -- -- -- -- -- --

Mapping Continuous Evaluation components/PSDA with CLOs

Bloom’s Level > Remembering Understanding Applying Analyzing Evaluating Create

Course Learning CLO1 CLO2 CLO3 CLO4 CLO5 CLO6

Outcomes
Define the Demonstrate an Utilize the Explain the Determine and Compile and critically
interconnection integrative knowledge and structure and explain the examine the roles and
and approach to explain the effects composition of importance of responsibilities of
interdisciplinary environmental of human activities different types of various human population in
nature of issues with a focus on natural ecosystems and Environmental conservation of
Assessment type/PSDA
environmental on sustainability  resources bio-geochemical Laws environment
studies  cycle

Presentation    

 Group
discussion

Quiz      
 MCQs
Home Assignment      
 Report writing
based on case
studies
Project      
 Surveys and
models
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)

Other material
 Virtual Labs
 ALMS
 SWAYAM
 MOOC