GE 2211 - ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING |
UNIT I INTRODUCTION TO ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES AND NATURAL RESOURCES |
Definition, scope and importance – need for public awareness – forest resources: use
and over-exploitation, deforestation, case studies. Timber extraction, mining, dams and
their ground water, floods, drought, conflicts over water, dams-benefits and problems –
mineral resources: use effects on forests and tribal people – water resources: use and
over-utilization of surface 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.
Field study of local area to document environmental assets – river / forest / grassland /
hill / mountain. |
UNIT IIECOSYSTEMS AND BIODIVERSITY |
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 – introduction, types, characteristic
features, structure and function of the (a) forest ecosystem (b) grassland ecosystem (c)
desert ecosystem (d) aquatic ecosystems (ponds, streams, lakes, rivers, oceans,
estuaries) – introduction to biodiversity – 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 – 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 exsitu
conservation of biodiversity.
Field study of common plants, insects, birds
Field study of simple ecosystems – pond, river, hill slopes, etc. |
UNIT III ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION |
Definition – causes, effects and control measures of: (a) air pollution (b) water pollution
(c) soil pollution (d) marine pollution (e) noise pollution (f) thermal pollution (g) 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.
Field study of local polluted site – urban / rural / industrial / agricultural. |
UNIT IVSOCIAL 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 production 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. |
UNIT VHUMAN 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. |
Text Book |
1. Gilbert M.Masters, “Introduction to Environmental Engineering and Science”,
Pearson Education Pvt., Ltd., Second Edition, ISBN 81-297-0277-0, 2004.
2. Miller T.G. Jr., “Environmental Science”, Wadsworth Publishing Co. |
References |
1. Erach, B., “The Biodiversity of India”, Mapin Publishing Pvt. Ltd., Ahmedabad, India.
2. Townsend C., Harper J and Michael Begon, “Essentials of Ecology”, Blackwell
Science.
3. Trivedi R.K. and P.K. Goel, “Introduction to Air Pollution”, Techno-Science
Publications.
4. Trivedi R.K., “Handbook of Environmental Laws, Rules, Guidelines, Compliances
and Standards”, Vol. I and II, Enviro Media.
5. Cunningham, W.P.Cooper, T.H.Gorhani, “Environmental Encyclopedia”, Jaico
Publ., House, Mumbai, 2001.
6. Wager K.D. “Environmental Management”, W.B. Saunders Co., Philadelphia,
USA, 1998. |
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