Basics of Environmental Science

Paper Code: 
25AAF216
Credits: 
2
Contact Hours: 
30.00
Max. Marks: 
100.00
Objective: 

This course will enable the students:
1. Understand the interdisciplinary nature of environmental studies, exploring its scope and applications
2. Analyze the sources, impacts, and management strategies of environmental pollution
3. Evaluate the utilization and conservation of natural resources and exploring sustainable management practices

Course Outcomes: 

Course

Course Outcomes

Learning and teaching strategies

Assessmen t Strategies

Course Code

Course title

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

25AAF216

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basics of Environmental Science (Theory)

CO73: Analyze environmental studies' multidisciplinary                 nature, understanding its applications and connections with other subjects.

CO74: Evaluate the impact of water,air, and noise pollution onecosystems, including key global issues like acid rain, ozone depletion, and smog.

CO75: Assess natural resource management, identifying issues like                   over-exploitation, degradation, and environmental effects.

CO76:            Critically                          appraise environmental        management systems, understanding principles and elements for successful environmental management.

CO77: Analyze environmental auditing objectives, importance, and steps, emphasizing its role in evaluating environmental performance and compliance.

CO78: Contribute effectively in course specific interaction.

Approach in teaching: Interactive Lectures, Discussions, Tutorials, Problem solving sessions, Presentations

 

 

Learning activities for the students: Self-

learning assig nments, Case Study Analysis, Presentations, Group Discussions

Continuous Assessment Test, Semester End Examination s,         Quiz, Assignment s,         Class Presentation s, Individual and     group projects.

 

6.00
Unit I: 
Definition, Scope and Importance of Environment:

• Scope of Environmental Studies and its applications
• Importance with respect to the society
• Relationship of Environmental Studies with other subjects (Multidisciplinary nature of Environment)

6.00
Unit II: 
Environmental Pollution:

• Water Pollution: Definition, sources and effects
• Air Pollution-Definition, sources and effects (Acid Rain, Ozone Depletion, Global warming, Smog)
• Noise Pollution-Definition, sources and effects

6.00
Unit III: 
Natural Resources:

• Definition (Renewable and non renewable)
• Natural resources and associated problems:
o Forest Resources- Use and over-exploitation, deforestation and its effects
o Water Resources- Use and over-utilization of surface and ground water and its effects
o Land Resources- Land degradation; Soil erosion and desertification.
o Mineral resources : Use and exploitation, environmental effects of extracting mineral resources

6.00
Unit IV: 
Environmental Management:

• Environmental management systems- Benefits, principles and elements of successful environmental management
• Key aspects of the international standard ISO 14001.
• Environmental Labeling.
• Environmental Protection Act, 1986

6.00
Unit V: 
Environmental Auditing:

• Objectives of Environmental auditing
• Importance of Environmental auditing
• Steps of Environmental Auditing (outline)

Essential Readings: 

1. Agrawal, K. C. (2001).Fundamentals of Environmental Biology. Nidhi Publishers, Bikaner
2. Rajagopalan, R. (2005). Environmental Studies. Oxford University Press.
3. Santra, S. C. (2001). Environmental Science. New Central Book Agency (P) Ltd
4. Das, R.C. & Bahera, D.K. (2008). Environmental Science: Principles and Practice. Prentice Hall of India (PHI) Publishing, New Delhi

References: 

1. Srivastava, A.K. (2003). Environmental Auditing.APH Publishing, New Delhi
2. Cunningham, W. P., & Cunningham, M. A. (2012). Environmental Science: A Global Concern (12th ed.). The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc
3. Sharma, P. D. (2008). Ecology and Environment. Rastogi Publications

E-Content:
1. Textbook of Environmental Studies for Undergraduate Courses https://www.ugc.ac.in/oldpdf/modelcurriculum/env.pdf
2. Introduction to Environmental Auditing and Management https://www.soas.ac.uk/cedep-demos/000_P508_EAEMS_K3736- Demo/module/pdfs/p508_unit_01.pdf
3. Introduction and Concepts related to Environmental Studies https://teresas.ac.in/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/CHAPTER-1-7-
MULTIDISCIPLINARY-NATURE-OF-ENVIRONMENTAL-STUDIES.pdf

Reference Journals:
1. Journal of Environmental Sciences
2. Journal of Environmental Management
3. Environmental Science and Pollution Research

Academic Year: 
2025-2026
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