Course: Environmental Studies
Course Code: CBES101T
Credit: 2
Instructor 1: Siddhartha Kumar Purkayastha
Cabin 120(A), Assam Don Bosco University (Azara Campus),
Instructor 2: Debashree Borthakur
Cabin 121(3), Assam Don Bosco University (Azara Campus),
Program: BBA/BCOM/BCOM/iMCA/iMBA
Objective: The course is designed to enhance knowledge, skills and attitude to our environment.
It will help a student to get a broad exposure to the various problems faced by our environment.
Course Outcomes:
CO1: Name different types of natural resources; state the concept of an ecosystem, recall the
types of biodiversity and ways of conserving biodiversity, causes, effects and control measures
of pollution, social issues and its effect on the environment. (Remembering)
CO2: Explain what they understand by an ecosystem, biodiversity, explain how environmental
pollution occurs and steps that can be taken to control pollution. (Understanding)
CO5: Value the overall benefit to the environment of preserving natural resources, preserving
ecosystems and conserving biodiversity. Learn about sustainable development to protect the
environment and promote human health. (Evaluating)
CO6: Develop ideas of how to preserve the environment by connecting the ideas of minimizing
pollution, regulating human population growth, conserving biodiversity by preserving
ecosystems and judicious use of natural resources. (Creating)
Syllabus:
Module 1: The Multidisciplinary Nature of Environmental Studies
Definition, Scope and Importance, Need for Public Awareness
Module 2: Natural Resources
a) Different types of natural resources and associated problems – forest resources, water
resources, mineral resources, food resources, energy resources, land resources.
b) Conservation of natural resources.
Module 3: Ecosystems
• 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
following ecosystem: -
a. Forest ecosystem
b. Grassland ecosystem
c. Desert ecosystem
d. Aquatic ecosystems (ponds, streams, lakes, rivers, oceans, estuaries)
Module 4: Biodiversity and its conservation
• Introduction – 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-sports 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 Ex-situ conservation of biodiversity.
Module 5: Environmental Pollution
Definition, Cause, 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
• Solid waste Management: Causes, effects and control measures of urban and
industrial wastes.
• Role of an individual in prevention of pollution.
• Pollution case studies.
• Diaster management : floods, earthquake, cyclone and landslides.
Module 6: Social Issues and the Environment
a) From unsustainable to sustainable development, urban problems related to energy, water
conservation, rain water harvesting, climate change, global warming, acid rain, ozone
layer depletion.
b) Environmental protection Act.
c) Introduction to environmental impact assessment.
Module 7: Human Population and the Environment
Population growth and sex ratio; Population explosion – family welfare programme;
Environment and Human health; HIV/AIDS; Role of information technology in environment and
human health.
Suggested Readings:
1. Erach Bharucha; Textbook of Environmental Studies, UGC, New Delhi
2. J.P. Sharma; Environmental Studies, University Science Press
3. Cann, M.C. & Connelly, M.E., Real World Cases in Green Chemistry, ACS, 2000
4. Roy, M. Harrison; Understanding our Environment: An Introduction to Environmental
Chemistry and Pollution, R.S.C.
Mapping of COs to Syllabus
Module Module Module Module Module Module Module
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
CO 1 H M H
CO 2 M H H
CO 3 M M
CO 4 M H
