Teaching Plan for CH-104

Name of the Faculty : Dr. S.M. Maliyekkal

Designation : Associate Professor

School : School of Mechanical & Building Sciences, VITCC

Name of the Programme : MSE + B.Tech

Title of the Subject : Environmental Studies

Semester : Winter

Subject Code : CHY 104

6/04/2012

The Multidisciplinary Nature ofEnvironmental Studies

• different from other course• deals with every issue that affect an organism. It is

essentially a multidisciplinary approach that brings about an appreciation of our natural world and human impacts on its integrity.

• components of EVS - biology, geology, chemistry, physics, engineering, sociology, health, anthropology, economics, statistics, computers and philosophy.

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Why the Course is Important?

• the need for information that clarifies modern environmental concepts such as the need to conserve biodiversity, the need to lead more sustainable lifestyles and the need to use resources more equitably.

• there is a need to change the way in which we view our own environment by a practical approach based on observation and self learning.

• there is the need to create a concern for our environment that will trigger pro-environmental action, including activities we can do in our daily life to protect it.

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Environmental Issues and Natural Resources:• The scope of environmental issues in relation to the use of natural

resources. The concept of sustainability and sustainable use of natural resources.

Ecology and Biodiversity:• Basic concepts of functioning of ecosystems and implications for

sustainability.Environmental Pollution:• Issues, causes, effects and control measures.Social Issues and the Environment:• Impacts of groups of people on the environment. Social aspects of

protecting the environment and promoting sustainable development.

Overview of the Course (CHY-104)

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Human Population and the Environment:• Impacts of population growth on the physical and human

environments. The human environment and current environment-related issues, in the Indian context.

• Their roles in preventing and rectifying environmental problems.• In his/her chosen profession: as a student and researcher, as a

practising professional. In his/he personal life, as member of a family and community.

Overview of CHY-104 contd.

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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

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Method of Evaluation

Evaluation Plan

Instrument for Evaluation Units Marks (100)CAT – I II & (I+III) 15

30CAT– II (I+III) & IV 15

TERM END Exam I, II, III, IV, V 50

Option 1: Semester project- Starts from the day one (group activity)

Development of an house-hold water purifier for rural India

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Option 2 : Quizzes and assignment

Quiz 1, Quiz 2, Quiz 3 and Assignment

5+5+5+5 = 20

Total 100

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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

Unit 1:Environment & Natural Resources

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Activities for Unit I: Tentative Topics for Class Room Discussion

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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.

Unit 2: Ecology & Biodiversity

Lecture hours = 8

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Future of biodiversity in India

Know your surrounding (field visit)

Contemporary issues related to the topic

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Activities for unit II: Tentative Topics for Class Room Discussion

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Definition – Causes, pollution effects and control measures of air, water, soil, marine, noise, thermal, nuclear hazards. Solid waste management- causes, effects and control measures of urban and industrial wastes, pollution measures, case studies, disaster management- floods, earthquake, cyclone and land slides.

Unit III : Environmental Pollution

Lecture hours = 12

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Activities for Unit-III

Identify various industries in and around Chennai and their likely impact on the environment

Group activity Report not more than 5 pages has to be submitted by each groupReport should contain a brief description of the industry and the waste disposed from the industry and their possible impact on the environment and human healthTreatment 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 activityReport not more than 5 pages has to be submitted by each groupReport should contain a brief description of a problem, possible solutions (Managerial as well as technical) and recommendation(s).

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Urban problems related to energy & sustainable development, water conservation, rain water harvesting, watershed management, problems related to rehabilitation – 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, Water, Wildlife, Forest Conservation Act, environmental legislation and public awareness.

Unit IV:Social Issues and the Environment

Lecture hours = 7

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Group discussion on the merits and demerits of current methods of rain water harvesting

Guest lecture(s) on environmental ethics

Activities for Unit 4

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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

Unit 5: Human Population and the Environment

Lecture hours = 10

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Activities for Unit-V

Lecture by experts: Human rights/AIDS/Women & Child Welfare

If time permits, we will screen some videos clippings in class room relevant to the topic

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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 course2. Students should attend the lectures without fail3. 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 time6.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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•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

References

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