Course title: Environmental science (CORE)

Duration: All semesters (1st to 6th )

Eligibility: B.Sc.

Learning objectives:

1. Intellectual rigor: aims to train students to cater to the need for

ecological citizenship through developing a strong foundation on the
critical linkages between ecology-society-economy
2. Discipline knowledge: to promote coherent knowledge of
environmental science and management
3. Critical analysis & application: to inculcate the skills of critical
analysis, and application of scientific methods in finding solutions to
environmental crisis.
4. Creativity: Respond creatively to intellectual, professional,
environmental and social challenges

Learning outcomes:

The course will empower the undergraduate students to:

1. Appreciate the ethical, cross-cultural, and historical context of

environmental issues and the links between human and natural
systems.

2. Reflect critically about their roles and identities as citizens,

consumers and environmental actors in a complex, interconnected
world.

3. Master core concepts and methods from ecological and physical

sciences and their application in environmental problem solving.

4. Understand the transnational character of environmental problems

and ways of addressing them, including interactions across local to
global scales.
Syllabus

Semester 1 Fundamentals of Environmental Science

Understanding the Environment: Concept, importance and

Environment historical root
Nature and scope of environmental
science
Man-environment interrelationships
Environmental perspectives
Moral and ethical issues in Environmental
science

Matter, Energy and Life Elements: the material basis of life

Origin and evolution of life on earth
Evolution theories (modern) and
speciation mechanism
characteristics of living cells (prokaryotic
and eukaryotic)
Energy in biosphere - sources, energy
forms and energy acquisition mechanisms
in living systems.

Components of Environment Environment: components

Atmosphere: composition and
stratification
Hydrosphere: global water resources and
distribution
Lithosphere: stratification and
composition
Biosphere: a brief account
Human population and Human population: Growth, Decline and
Environment migrations
Consequences of high population growth
on environment
Concept of carrying capacity
Wastes from human societies
Population growth and distribution in India
with special reference to J&K

Credit V and VI: Laboratory Course

1. Collection and Identification of rocks
2. Soil texture by feel method
3. Collection and identification of aquatic plants
4. Collection and identification of terrestrial plants
5. Calculation of density, diversity and abundance by quadrat
method
6. Collection and identification of Soil macrofauna
7. Collection and identification of aerial insect fauna
8. Collection and identification of local fishes
9. Visit to an aquatic ecosystem
10. Visit to a grassland ecosystem

Semester 2 Ecosystem Dynamics

Credit I: Ecosystem 1.1 Ecosystem: Concept and

Definition
1.2 Structure and function of
 ecosystem
1.3 Concept of Food chain, food
web andtrophic level
1.4 Ecological pyramids
1.5 Energy flow in ecological
systems, energy efficiencies

Credit II: Major Ecosystems 2.1 Forest ecosystem

2.2 Grassland ecosystem
2.3 Wetland ecosystem
2.4 Agro-ecosystem
2.5 Aquatic ecosystem
Credit III: Energy and 3.1Renewable and Non-renewable
Environment energy resources: world scenario wrt
India
3.2Hydro Power
3.3Wind Power
3.4Thermal Power
3.5 Nuclear Power
Credit IV Natural Resources 4.1 Concept and classification of
natural resources
4.2 Forest resources of JK
4.3 Fisheries resources of India
4.4 Mineral resources of JK
4.5 Medicinal wealth of JK

Credit V and VI: Laboratory Course

1. Estimation of primary productivity in a terrestrial ecosystem
2. Estimation of standing biomass in a terrestrial ecosystem
3. Determination if IVI
4. Collection and identification of medicinal plants
5. Estimation of chlorophyll content
 6. Estimation of speed and velocity of lotic ecosystems
7. Estimation of secchi disc transparency in lotic systems
8. Estimation of depth of a lotic systems
9. Identification of basic rock forming minerals
10. Study of different soils with special reference to Karewa soils

Semester 3 Environmental Pollution-I

Credit I:Air Pollution - I 1.1 Air pollution: concept

1.2 Sources of air pollution,
1.3 Impacts of major air pollutants
(CO, SOX, NOX and HC and
Particulates) on living and non-living
things.
 1.4 Photochemical Smog
1.5 Indoor air pollution

Credit II:Air pollution - II 2.1 Lapse rate of temperature and

atmospheric stability
2.2 Temperature inversion
2.3 Dispersion of gaseous pollutants
2.4 Effects of atmospheric stability on
pollutant dispersion
2.5 Control of gaseous and particulate
pollutants
Credit III:Water Pollution-I 3.1 Water pollution: concept
3.2Sources of water pollution
3.3Types of water pollutants.
3.4. Surface and Ground water pollution
3.5Effects of water pollution on aquatic
life, vegetation and human health

Credit IV:Water Pollution- II 4.1 Water Quality Criteria

4.2 Drinking water quality standards
4.3Waste water treatment - Primary,
Secondary and Tertiary Treatment
4.4 Eutrophication
4.5 Lake Acidification, salt water
intrusion
Credit V and VI: Laboratory Course
1. Study of sampling techniques.
2. Study of preservation of water samples.
3. Determination of BOD and COD of water sample.
4. Determination of dissolved oxygen of water sample.
5. Determination of Suspended solids of water sample.
6. Determination of dissolved solids of water sample.
7. Determination of total solids of water samples.
 8. Determination of Oil & Grease in polluted water.
9. Determination of Free CO2 in water sample.
10. Determination of Alkalinity in water samples

Semester 4 Environmental Pollution-II

Credit I: Soil Pollution

1.1Soil Pollution: concept and definitions

1.2 Physical, Chemical, Mineralogical and Biological properties of

soil

1.3 Sources and types of soil pollution

1.4 Biomagnification and Bioconcentration

1.5 Soil erosion and land degradation

Credit II: Noise Pollution

2.1 Basic physics of sound

2.2 Measurement of noise

2.3 Noise pollution: concept and definitions

2.4 Source of noise pollution and its effects on human health

2.5 Control of noise pollution

Credit III: Radioactive Pollution

3.1 Radioactive pollution: concept and definitions

3.2 Radioactive materials and Radiation hazards

3.3 Sources of radioactive pollutants in our environment

3.4 Effects of radioactive pollutants on plants and animals

3.5 Safety measures at the time of working with radioactive

substances

Credit IV: Solid waste and Thermal Pollution

4.1 Solid Waste – Sources and characterization

4.2 Disposal and management of solid wastes

4.3 Thermal pollution: concept and definitions

4.4 Causes, effects and control of thermal pollution

4.5 Health Impacts of thermal pollution on animals and plant

Credit V and VI: Laboratory Course

1. Determination of temperature of soil samples.
2. Determination of pH of soil samples.
3. Determination of conductivity of soil samples.
4. Determination of calcium content in soil samples.
 5. Determination of magnesium content in soil samples.
6. Determination of chloride content in soil samples.
7. Determination of organic carbon soil samples.
8. Determination of moisture content in soil samples.
9. The presumptive, confirmatory and completed tests for
determination of sewage contamination.
10. Measurement of Noise indices

Semester 5 Management of Environment

Credit I: Management of Major Ecosystems
1.1 Conservation and management of Forest ecosystem
1.2 Management of grassland ecosystem
1.3 Ecotourism: Advantages and disadvantages
1.4 Agro-ecosystem: Conservation practices
1.5 Modern conservation practices for management of freshwater
ecosystems
Credit II: Water Management
1.1 Water scarcity and its consequences
1.2 Traditional and modern strategies for water management
1.3 Rain water harvesting: Components, types and importance
1.4 Management of surface and ground water quality
 1.5 Current scenario of fresh water management in India
Credit III: Soil Management Strategies
1.1 Measures for controlling soil erosion
1.2 Land degradation: causes and control
1.3 Desertification: Various control strategies
1.4 Rangelands: Importance and management
1.5 Role of meso fauna in soil quality conservation
Credit IV: Waste Management
1.1 Disposal and Management of Municipal solid wastes
1.2 Disposal and Management of Hazardous wastes
1.3 Disposal and Management of Biomedical wastes
1.4 Disposal and Management of Agriculture wastes
1.5 Disposal and Management of electronic wastes
Credit V and VI: Laboratory Course
1. IVI of forest ecosystem
2. IVI of grassland ecosystem
3. IVI of freshwater ecosystem
4. Point and non-point sources of pollution
5. Rainwater harvesting: Case studies
6. Waste audit of college campus
7. Green audit of college campus
8. Soil organic carbon and organic matter
9. Land use and land cover pattern: Case studies
10. Ecosystem restoration: Case studies
Semester 6 Environment impact assessment, Environmental
Education and laws
Credit I: Environmental Impact Assessment
1.1 EIA: Concept, Components and Objectives
1.2 Need for Environmental Impact Assessment
1.3 Stages of EIA
1.4 Concept of Environment Impact Statement
1.5 EIA Methodology: Checklists and Matrices
Credit II: Sustainable development
2.1 EIA of hydroelectric power project
2.2 EIA of cement industries
2.3 Analysis of alternatives-Cost benefit analysis
2.4 Public participation
2.5 Concept of Eco-labelling and Eco-mark
Credit III: Environmental Education
3.1 Environmental Education: Goals, Objectives and Guiding
principles
 3.2 Benefits of Environmental education at the global level
3.3 Environmental education organizations, programmes and role of
individual
3.4 National Environmental movements: Chipko and Narmada
Andolan
3.5 Environmental ethics and awareness
Credit IV: Environmental Laws and Policies
4.1 Environmental protection act, 1986
4.2 Water Pollution act, 1974
4.3 Air Pollution act, 1981
4.4 Forest conservation act, 1980
4.5 J & K Wildlife (protection) act, 1978
Credit V & VI: Laboratory course
1. Case studies based on EIA of hydroelectric power project
2. Case studies based on EIA of cement industries
3. Case studies based on environmental laws
4. Environmental education (Seminar)
5. Visit to hydroelectric power plant
6. Visit to cement industry plant
7. Preparation of posters for environmental awareness
8. National environment case studies: Chipko movement and
Narmada andolan
9. Study of green belt
10. Case study: Leopold matrix