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Name of the Programme : MSE + B.Tech Title of the Subject : Environmental Studies
6/04/2012
6/04/2012
Objectives
On completion of the course the student shall be able to: understand our deep connectedness to our natural environment and the importance of the environmental sustainability propagate the message to public take special responsibility and contribute personally and professionally to protect the integrity of nature and the natural environment. discuss contemporary environmental issues
Method of Evaluation
Evaluation Plan Instrument for Evaluation CAT I CAT II TERM END Exam Units Marks (100)
15 15
30 50
Option 1: Semester project- Development of an house-hold Starts from the day one water purifier for rural India (group activity) Option 2 : Quizzes and assignment Total Quiz 1, Quiz 2, Quiz 3 and Assignment 5+5+5+5 = 20
20
100
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Unit 1:Environment & Natural Resources Definition, scope, importance, need for public, natural resources forest resources use, exploitation, deforestation, construction of multipurpose dams effect on forests, water resources use of surface and subsurface water; effect of floods, drought, water conflicts, mineral resources use and exploitation, environmental effects of mining, food resources food problems, advantage and disadvantage of fertilizers & pesticides, effect on environment, energy resources need to develop renewable energy, land resources land degradation, land slides, soil erosion, desertification & case studies.
Lecture hours: 10
Concept of ecosystem, structure & function of an ecosystem, producers, consumers and decomposers, energy flow, ecological succession, food chains, food webs and ecological pyramids, various characteristic features of forest, grassland, desert, aquatic ecosystems (ponds, streams, lakes, rivers, oceans, estuaries).
Bio diversity: Definition, genetic, species and ecosystem diversity, biogeographical classification of India, Value consumptive use, productive use, social, ethical, aesthetic and option values, hotspots, threats related to habitat loss, poaching of wildlife, man-wildlife conflicts, endangered and endemic species of India, Conservation of biodiversity.
Lecture hours = 8
10
Activities for unit II: Tentative Topics for Class Room Discussion
Future of biodiversity in India Know your surrounding (field visit) Contemporary issues related to the topic .
11
12
Group activity Report not more than 5 pages has to be submitted by each group Report should contain a brief description of the industry and the waste disposed from the industry and their possible impact on the environment and human health Treatment practices adopted in the respective industries and their effectiveness in treating the waste (preferred) Recommendations
Visit to wastewater treatment plant at Nesapakkam or Visit to Solid waste disposal site to Perungudi/ Visit to chromium contaminated sites at Ranipett, Cheenai Group activity Report not more than 5 pages has to be submitted by each group Report should contain a brief description of a problem, possible solutions (Managerial as well as technical) and recommendation(s).
13
14
15
Unit 5: 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 Case Studies.
Field work: Documenting environmental assets-river/ forest/ grassland/ hill/ mountain, Visit to local polluted site urban/ rural / industrial / agricultural, study of common plants, insects, birds, study of simple ecosystems pond, river, hill slopes, etc.,
Field Visits
Lecture hours = 10
16
17
Semester Project
Objective:
To develop an house-hold water purifier for the rural India Scope: Filter design Prototyping Performance testing Conditions: Size of the group 5 Each group should submit a proposal before commencement of the work. Final report should be submitted before end semester exam. If interested, best few teams can continue the work a take it to the filed
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Guidelines
1. Follow standard text book(s) prescribed for the course 2. Students should attend the lectures without fail 3. Understand the subject and practice in day to day life 4. Actively participate in seminars and group discussions 5.Students are encouraged to discuss the issues related to the subject time to time 6.Inculcate environmental ethics to have a sustained interest in the subject
Note: 75% attendance is must to appear for the CAT(I and II) and END SEM.
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References Erach Bharucha, University Grants Commission, Brunner RC, 1989, Hazardous Waste Incineration, McGram Hill Inc. 480pgs. Cunningham WP, Cooper TH, Gorhani E & Hepworth MT, 2001. Environmental Encyclopaedia, Jaico Publishing House, Mumbai, 1196pgs. Environmental Science and Ecological studies, S.K. Garg, Khanna Publishers Down to Earth, Center for Science and Environment (R) Odum EP, 1971. Fundamentals of Ecology. WB Saunders Co. USA, 574pgs. Rao MN and Datta AK, 1987. Waste Water Treatment. Oxford and IBH Publishing Co. Pvt.Ltd. 345 pgs . News papers, Journals and Magazines
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