The document provides an introduction to an environmental science course. The course aims to teach students about key environmental topics including ecosystems, renewable and non-renewable resources, biodiversity conservation, environmental pollution, and environmental policies. Over the course, students will learn to explain ecosystems and natural resource management, identify causes of pollution and waste management practices, and outline environmental laws and the relationship between human communities and their environment. The course is divided into units covering topics such as the multidisciplinary nature of environmental studies, different ecosystem types, natural resources issues, and causes and impacts of various forms of environmental pollution.

1. Introduction to
Environmental
Science-GS1101

2. Scope of the Course
Goal of Environmental Science course: To provide basic concepts to the
students about:
Multidisciplinary nature of environmental studies,
Ecosystem,
Renewable & non-renewable natural resources,
Biodiversity conservation,
Environmental pollution,
Environmental policies and practices
Human communities and their environment
As these are required to understand the natural world along with
environmental conservation.

3. Course Objectives
By the end of this course students will be able to:
Explain the multidisciplinary nature of environmental studies, its scope &
importance, various types of ecosystems and their structure and function.
Produce ideas about the concepts of renewable & non-renewable natural
resources management, energy sources and biodiversity conservation.
Demonstrate the causes of environmental pollution (air, water, soil, and noise
pollution) and solid waste management practices.
Enlist the current environmental laws, policies, the interrelation between
human communities and their environment like the impact of human
population growth on environment, disaster management practices, and
environmental ethics.
Classify and analyse the real status of our environmental assets like river,
forest, biodiversity, point and non-point polluted sites.

4. Recommended books
Environmental Science Coenage Learning
Publications, Miller G.T. and Spool Mar
Environmental Studies by Tata Mcgraw Hill
pub, Banny Joseph
Text book of Environmental Studies for U.G.
Courses- University Press- Erach Bharucha
Environmental Sudies- from criteria to care,
Oxford Univ. Press, R. Raogopalan

5. Syllabus
Unit 1: Introduction to environmental studies
Multidisciplinary nature of environmental studies;
Scope and importance;
Concept of sustainability and sustainable development.

6. Unit 2: Ecosystems
Structure and function of an ecosystem. Producers, consumers and
decomposers, energy flow in the ecosystem, food chains, food webs and
ecological succession
Introduction, types, characteristic features, and case study of the
following ecosystems:
a. Forest ecosystem
b. Grassland ecosystem
c. Desert ecosystem
d. Aquatic ecosystems (ponds, streams, lakes, rivers, oceans, estuaries)

7. Unit 3: Natural Resources
Renewable and non-renewable resources
Land resources and Land use change; land degradation, soil erosion and
desertification
Deforestation: Causes and Impacts due to mining, dams building on
environment, on forest, biodiversity and tribal populations.
Water resources: Use and over exploitation of surface and ground water,
floods, drought, conflicts over water (international and inter-state).
Energy resources:, renewable and non-renewable energy sources use of
alternate energy sources, Growing energy needs, Case studies

8. Unit 4: Environmental Pollution
Definition: types, Causes, effects and control measures of Air, Water,
Soil, and Noise pollution.
Nuclear hazards and human health risks.
Solid waste Management: control measures of urban and industrial
wastes.
Pollution case studies.