MADRAS CHRISTIAN COLLEGE

(Autonomous) Part IV: ENVIRONMENTAL

STUDIES

Structure of the Program for UG 2023 onwards

Course code --
Course Title Environmental Studies
Credits 2
Hours/Week 4
Category Part IV
Semester III Humanities / IV Sciences
From AY 2023-2024

Curriculum Template

Semester Part Course Course title Instruction Duration Marks Credits

code hours per of exam
Cycle
ICA ESE Total
 III IV - Environmental 4 3 50 50 100 2
(Humanities Studies
)&
IV (Sciences)
 Part IV: ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES

Course Code
Credits 2
Hours / Cycle 4hrs
Category Part IV Elective Theory / Practical
Semester III Humanities & IV Sciences
Year of From the academic year 2023-24 onwards
Implementatio
n
● To insist a sense of responsibility about environment and a personal
commitment to protect and preserve the environment.
● To create ‘green consciousness’ among students through teaching
and various innovative methods
Course Objectives ● To create awareness among students about biodiversity conservation
and local environmental issues.
● To promote the collaboration with other organizations and
associations to solve local environmental problems
● To perform actions to improve the campus environment

Bloom’s
Taxonomy
POs
CO # Course Outcome(s) Levels
Addressed
(K1 to
K5)

On completing the course successfully, the student will be able to

CO 1 Understand the basics, various strategies

and resources on the earth 2, 3 & 5 K1

CO 2 Recognize how system works and illustrate and

interpret the resource/Ecosystem types 5&7 K2

CO 3 Learn the bio-components, threats such as pollution,

population, diseases and others with the knowledge 5&8 K3
able to Select, Develop strategies and solve the
issues
CO 4 Classify the Ecosystem and analyze the ecosystem
principles and its interdependence and make a 5,7 & 8 K4
comparison and evaluate of the ecosystem
CO 5 Evaluate various issues of environment and the
issues caused by several agencies, communities etc.,
6,7 & 8 K5 & K6
thereby design, prioritize and build the future
environment
 PART IV: ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES
Subject Code: Semester: III/IV (UG)
Credit: 2 No. of Hours/Week: 4

Syllabus
Unit Content/Heading Hours Cos Blooms
Taxonomy
1 Nature of environmental studies & Natural 10 CO 1&2
Resources
Introduction to Environmental Studies -
Definition, scope and importance, Need for
public awareness.
Natural resources and associated problems.
Forest resources: Use and over-exploitation,
deforestation, case studies. Timber extraction,
mining, dams and their effects on forest and
tribal people.
Water resources: Use and over-utilization of K1
surface and ground water, floods, drought,
conflicts over water, dams-benefits and
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, effects
of modern agriculture, fertilizer-pesticide
problems, water logging, salinity, case studies.

Energy resources: Growing energy needs,

renewable and non renewable energy sources,
use of alternate energy sources. Case studies.
Land resources: Land as a resource, land
degradation, man induced landslides, soil
erosion and desertification.
Role of an individual in conservation of natural
resources. Equitable use of resources for
sustainable lifestyles.
2 Ecosystem 6 CO 3&4
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. K2
Introduction to types, characteristic features,
structure and function of the following
ecosystem. Forest ecosystem, Grassland
ecosystem, Desert ecosystem and
Aquatic ecosystems (ponds, streams, lakes,
 rivers, oceans, estuaries)
3 Biodiversity and its conservation 8 CO 3&4
Introduction & Definition of Biodiversity:
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. K3
India as a mega-diversity nation, Hot-sports of
biodiversity. Threats to biodiversity: habitat
loss, poaching of wildlife, man-wildlife
conflicts. Endangered and endemic species of
India (3 Plants & 3 Animals). Conservation of
biodiversity: In-situ and Ex-situ conservation of
biodiversity.
4 Environmental Pollution & Social Issues of 15 CO 3&5
the Environment
Cause, effects and control measures of Air
pollution, Water pollution, Soil pollution,
Marine pollution, Noise pollution, Thermal
pollution and Nuclear hazards. Solid waste
Management: Causes, effects and
control measures of urban and
K4
industrial wastes. Awareness on Food Waste
Management in Public Gathering (My Waste
– My Responsibility). Role
of an individual in prevention of
pollution. Pollution case studies. Disaster
management: floods, earthquake,
cyclone and landslides. Creation of Sustainable
Development - 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 and Public awareness.
 5 Human Population and the Environment & 21 CO 3&5
case studies
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 K5 & K6
● 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.

Prescribed Books/Text Books

1. Agarwal, K.C. 2001. Environmental Biology, Nidi Publ. Ltd. Bikaner.
2. Asthana, D. K. 2006. Text Book of Environmental Studies. S. Chand Publishing.
3. Basu, M., Xavier, S. 2016. Fundamentals of Environmental Studies,
Cambridge University Press, India
4. Bharucha, E. 2021. Textbook of Environmental Studies for Undergraduate
Courses. Third edition. Orient Blackswan Pvt. Ltd.
5. Cunningham, W.P. Cooper, T.H. Gorhani, E & Hepworth, M.T. 2001.
Environmental Encyclopedia, Jaico Publ. House, Mumbai.
6. Rajagopalan, R. 2015. Environmental Studies: From Crisis To Cure, Third
Edition. Oxford University Press;
Reference Books
1. Bharucha Erach, 2002. The Biodiversity of India (Vol. 1). Mapin Publishing Pvt.
Ltd., Ahmedabad – 380 013, India.
2. Hawkins R.E., 2001. Encyclopedia of Indian Natural History, Bombay Natural
History Society, Bombay (R). OUP India.
3. Odum, E.P. 2005. Fundamentals of Ecology. Fifth Edition. Cengage Learning
India Private Limited.
4. Trivedi R.K., 2010. Handbook of Environmental Laws, Rules Guidelines,
Compliances and Stadards, Vol I and II, Enviro Media (R). Third edition. B.S.
Publications

Suggested Reading
1. Brunner R.C., 1989. Hazardous Waste Incineration, McGraw Hill Inc.
2. Gleick, H.P. 1993. Water in crisis, Pacific Institute for Studies in Dev., Environment &
Security. Stockholm Env. Institute Oxford Univ. Press.
3. Heywood, V.H & Waston, R.T. 1995. Global Biodiversity Assessment. Cambridge Univ. Press.
4. Rao M N. & Datta, A.K. 1987. Waste Water treatment. Oxford & IBH Publ. Co. Pvt. Ltd.
5. Sharma B.K., 2001. Environmental Chemistry. Geol Publ. House, Meerut
6. Wanger K.D., 1998 Environmental Management. W.B. Saunders Co. Philadelphia, USA.

Web resources
1. https://moef.gov.in/en
2. https://www.undp.org
3. https://www.fauna-flora.org
4. https://www.worldwildlife.org
5. https://www.unep.org
6. https://www.oecd.org

Detailed Note on Field Work/Project (chose any one) 15 hours

1. Natural Resources and related
a. Prepare a list of natural resources in our campus and in your native region
b. Make a comparative work on the energy requirement and its resource and utilization
in our campus and elsewhere. Projects on Green energy, energy audit
c. Study the water resources, management and conservation in our campus and outside
the campus

2. Study of ecosystems
a. Pond/lake in and around campus: study on lives depended on water bodies and its
interactions and related. Disturbances faced by the water bodies, mapping of water
bodies in and around your places.
b. Grassland ecosystem in and around campus and your region producers (plants),
insects, consumers (birds, mammals, reptiles etc.). importance and its services.
c. Forest Ecosystem in campus and elsewhere, concept of forest type, dominant trees,
animals birds etc.,
d. Community mapping, ecosystem mapping, ecosystem services, ecosystem
interconnections
3. Analysis of Biodiversity (flora and fauna)
a. Prepare a list of the plants, animals, birds, insects, mushrooms and other living beings
available in the college or near your region
b. List the interaction between your selected being and the ecosystem, season of their
occurrence, their threats, and their protection measures
c. Green auditing, Animal data analytics lab, butterfly garden (IOT), Agritech projects
(IOT), Integrated farming, Poultry project
4. Pollution related
a. Identify the major sources of water & air pollution in your city or town or around the
college. Identify the source and remedy
b. Analyse the major sources of land pollution in nearby villages and adjoining
agricultural fields.
c. What action can be taken to protect from pollution you have visited
d. Composting Unit, Waste to wealth, Biogas generator – industry collaborated,
Ecofriendly incinerators for safe disposal of napkins – design & setup, Sewage
Treatment Plant, Solid waste management

STUDY METHODOLOGY TO BE ADOPTED

Service Learning
• Through Community Social Service, Scrub Society, Wild Life Conservation Club,
Enviro Club
• VAMSA – Social Work
• Family Life Institute (FLI), Rural Service Learning (RSL), MCC Farm-Community
farming, MCC-Campus School, MCC –IIC – Nature & Environmental Education
• Working with NGO’s – Puvi foundation, CPR., etc.,
Activity Based
• Finding out how long it takes for bioplastic to degrade
• Finding out how much microplastics in waters
• Bioplastic making, natural dye extraction
• Biobased soap, toothpaste etc., making
Project based/Experiential Learning
• MCC Farm based – Agritech projects (IOT), Integrated farming, Poultry project
• Community Mapping
• Butterfly garden (IOT)
• Energy Generation – green energy - green auditing and energy auditing
• Sewage Treatment Plant, Solid waste management
• State govt. project can be taken up by collaborating
• Climate smart practices
• Water conservation – Lake
• Composting Unit, Waste to wealth
• Biogas generator – industry collaborated
• Ecofriendly incinerators for safe disposal of napkins – design & setup
• Animal data analytics lab
• Students – ideas/own proposal
 Correlation of POs/PSOs to each CO

Course Articulation Matrix

Programme Outcomes Programme Specific Outcomes

Course
Cognitive Level
Outcomes
PO1 PO2 PO3 PO3 PO4 PO5 PO6 PO7 PO8 PSO1 PSO2 PSO3 PSO4 PSO5

CO 1 3 3 3 K1

CO 2 3 3 3 K2

CO 3 3 3 3 K3

CO 4 3 3 3 3 K4

CO 5 3 3 3 3 K5 & K6

Wt. Avg. 3 3 3 3 3 3

Overall Mapping of the Course 3

EXAM PATTERN
ICA Test
Theory Test : ICA 1 and ICA 3 (Best of two will be
considered) Project Based : ICA 2 (compulsory)
The Internal Continuous Assessment test marks will be slightly different from the Core
subject. ICA 1 and ICA 3 is theory based test, while ICA 2 is project based. Submission
of report and attending viva being the part of this project based mandatory ICA 2.
Average of ICA will be calculated with project component (ICA 2) as compulsory
component, while among theory component (ICA 1 & ICA 3) the best will be taken.
The assessment criteria for ICA 2 is as follows:

Idea and Execution Report writing

Criteria and and Viva
Innovation
Regularity Documentation
Marks 5 10 15 20

End of Semester
Theory Exam only (for 100 marks)
End of Semester Exam will be for 100 Marks (only theory) common question paper
template of the college will be followed.

General instructions for project and field work

The Project should be approved by the course teacher before the end of first month and should
be reported to the EVS convenor.
The group should comprise of 4 - 5 member.
Students can carry out their work during the allotted hours of the EVS class based on the instruction of
the course teacher and if required work can be done after the class hours.
All record of works should be shown to the course teacher after returning from field.
Each level of progress should be reported to the course teacher such as initiation, execution,
extent of progression, results.
All students should submit a report in an A4 size paper mentioning the contribution of each
students.
The report should contain the following
• Introduction/Problem statement/Importance/urgency of the identified problem
• Objective/approach/methodology
• Work carried out/Intervention/Solution
• Conclusion/future prospective/scope of the study

Student should conduct themselves with responsibility and dignity during field work.
Any act of indiscipline, misconduct or other related act will lead to severe action.