GE 2211 EVS ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING

GE 2211 EVS ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING

GE2211 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND ENGINEERINGL T P C
3 0 0 3
UNIT I ENVIRONMENT, ECOSYSTEMS AND BIODIVERSITY 14
Definition, scope and importance of environment – need for public awareness - 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 II ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION 8
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 – soil waste management: causes, effects and control measures of municipal
solid 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 III NATURAL RESOURCES 10
Forest resources: Use and over-exploitation, deforestation, case studies- timber
extraction, mining, dams and their effects on forests and tribal people – Water
resources: Use and over-utilization of 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.
Field study of local area to document environmental assets – river / forest / grassland /
hill / mountain.
UNIT IV SOCIAL ISSUES AND THE ENVIRONMENT 7
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 – role of nongovernmental
organization- 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 –
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environment production act – Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) act – Water
(Prevention and control of Pollution) act – Wildlife protection act – Forest conservation
act – enforcement machinery involved in environmental legislation- central and state
pollution control boards- Public awareness.
UNIT V HUMAN POPULATION AND THE ENVIRONMENT 6
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.
TOTAL= 45 PERIODS
TEXT BOOKS:
1. Gilbert M.Masters, “Introduction to Environmental Engineering and
Science”, 2nd Edition, Pearson Education ,2004.
2. Benny Joseph, “Environmental Science and Engineering”, Tata McGraw-Hill, New
Delhi, 2006.
REFERENCES:
1. R.K. Trivedi, “Handbook of Environmental Laws, Rules, Guidelines, Compliances
and Standards”, Vol. I and II, Enviro Media.
2. Cunningham, W.P. Cooper, T.H. Gorhani, “Environmental Encyclopedia”, Jaico
Publ., House, Mumbai, 2001.
3. Dharmendra S. Sengar, “Environmental law”, Prentice hall of India PVT LTD, New
Delhi, 2007.
4. Rajagopalan, R, “Environmental Studies-From Crisis to Cure”, Oxford University
Press (2005)