This document provides an introduction and overview of an environmental studies course syllabus. The syllabus covers 5 units: (1) the multidisciplinary nature of environmental science and ecosystems, (2) natural resources, (3) biodiversity and conservation, (4) environmental pollution, and (5) social issues and environmental management. Key topics addressed include different types of ecosystems, natural resources like forests and water, biodiversity threats and conservation, various forms of pollution and their impacts, and approaches to addressing social and environmental issues. The course aims to educate students on interactions between the environment and human activities from diverse perspectives.

1. INTRODUCTION TO
ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES
Mr.J. SURI BABU
Vishnu Institute of Technology

4. Multidisciplinary nature

9. Environment
• Atmosphere - The atmosphere
implies the protective blanket of
gases, surrounding the earth.
• Hydrosphere - The
Hydrosphere comprises all types
of water resources oceans, seas,
lakes, rivers, streams, reservoirs,
polar icecaps, glaciers, and
ground water.
• Lithosphere - Lithosphere is the
outer mantle of the solid earth.
• Biosphere - Biosphere
indicates the realm of living
organisms and their interactions
with environment, viz
atmosphere, hydrosphere and
lithosphere

10. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE
Syllabus:
UNIT I-Multidisciplinary nature of
Environmental Science and Ecosystems
UNIT 2-Natural Resources
UNIT 3- Biodiversity and its conservation
UNIT 4- Environmental Pollution
UNIT 5- Social Issues and Environmental
Management

11. UNIT I-Multidisciplinary nature of
Environmental Science and Ecosystems
Definition, Scope and Importance – Sustainability: Need for
public awareness-Human population and Environment.
Ecosystems:Concept of an ecosystem. - Structure and
function of an ecosystem. –
Types of Ecosystem:-
• Forest,
• Grassland,
• Desert
• Aquatic Ecosystems–
Food chains, food webs and ecological pyramids

12. UNIT 2-Natural Resources
• Forest resources: Use and over – exploitation,
deforestation – Timber extraction – Mining, dams and
effects on forest and tribal people
• Water resources: Conflicts over water, Dams – benefits
and problems
• Mineral resources: Use and exploitation, Environmental
effects of extracting and using mineral resources.
• Energy resources: Renewable and non-renewable energy
sources
• Food resources: World food problems.
• Land resources: Wasteland reclamation.
• Role of an individual in conservation of natural resources

13. UNIT 3- Biodiversity and its conservation
• Definition, classification –
• Value of biodiversity: Consumptive use,
Productive use, Social use.
• Biodiversity at national and local levels.
• Hot-spots of biodiversity –
• Threats to biodiversity –
• Endangered and Endemic species of India –
Conservation of biodiversity

14. UNIT 4- Environmental Pollution
1.Air pollution: Definition, Cause, effects and control
measures
2.Water pollution,
3.Soil pollution,
4.Noise pollution,
5.Nuclear hazards.
Role of an individual in prevention of pollution.
Pollution case studies.
Solid Waste Management: Sources, effects and control
measures of urban and industrial solid wastes.
Bio medical and e-waste management.
Global Environmental Challenges: Global warming and
climate change-Acid rains, Ozone layer depletion.

15. UNIT 5-:Social Issues and Environmental
Management
Urban problems related to energy
Water conservation, RWH-Resettlement and rehabilitation of
people.
1. Environmental Protection Act 2. Air Act
3. Water Act 4. Wildlife Protection
Act
Forest Conservation Act-Public awareness.
International protocols: 1. Stockholm and Rio Summit,
2. Kyoto protocol and
3. Montreal Protocol.
Impact Assessment and its significance various stages of EIA,
Environmental audit
Ecotourism.
The student should Visit an Industry / Ecosystem

16. TEXT BOOKS FOLLOWED
• TEXT BOOKS:
• A Textbook of Environmental Studies, Shashi Chawla, TMH, NewDelhi.
• Textbook of Environmental Studies for Undergraduate Courses by Erach
Bharucha for University Grants Commission.
• Environmental Studies, R. Rajagopalan, 2nd Edition, 2011, Oxford
UniversityPress
• REFERENCE BOOKS:
• Environmental Studies, K. V. S. G. Murali Krishna, VGS
Publishers,Vijayawada.
• Text Book of Environmental Studies, DeekshitaDave & P. Udaya Bhaskar,
Cengage Learning.
• Textbook of Environmental Science and Technology – Dr. Anji Reddy, BS
Publications.
• Environment Studies, Anubha Kaushik, C P Kaushik, New Age International
Publishers,2014.
• Environmental Studies, P. N. Palanisamy, P. Manikandan, A. Geetha, and K.
Manjula Rani; Pearson Education,Chennai.
• Environmental Studies, Benny Joseph, Tata McGraw Hill Co, NewDelhi.

17. WE TRULY APPRECIATE THE
TIME YOU SHARED WITH US……