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Online Degree

Environment Studies

By Dr Aditya Sharma and Dr. Bharti Arora, Dr. Aditya Sharma   |   The NorthCap University, The NorthCap University


Dear Learner Welcome!

Thank you for enrolling for the course "Environmental Studies". We wish you an enjoyable and informative learning experience. Details regarding the course: “Environmental studies is an interdisciplinary field that explores the complex relationships between humans and the environment. It covers a wide range of topics, including ecology, conservation, environmental policy, and sustainable development. The discipline examines the impacts of human activities on natural ecosystems and seeks ways to mitigate negative effects. It also investigates the science of climate change, pollution, and resource depletion, aiming to develop solutions that promote ecological balance. Environmental studies emphasizes the importance of sustainability, focusing on practices that meet present needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own. This field integrates knowledge from biology, chemistry, geography, economics, and social sciences to address pressing environmental issues. It fosters an understanding of how political, economic, and cultural factors influence environmental decision-making. By promoting environmental awareness, it encourages responsible stewardship of natural resources and advocates for policy changes that support ecological protection. Ultimately, environmental studies aims to equip individuals and societies with the tools to create a sustainable future through education, research, and active participation in conservation efforts.

REGISTRATION LINK FOR THIS COURSE

SUMMARY

Course Status : Upcoming
Course Type : Core
Duration : 12 weeks
Start Date : 12 Mar 2025
End Date : 15 Apr 2025
Exam Date :
Category :
Level : Undergraduate

COURSE LAYOUT


UNIT 1: MULTIDISCIPLINARY NATURE OF ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES AND ECOSYSTEM
 1.1 Meaning, scope, and importance of Environmental studies
1.2 Concept of sustainability and sustainable development
1.3 Segments of Environment
1.4 Basics of ecosystem, structure, and function
1.5 Ecological Succession.
1.6 Types of Ecosystems: Forest, Desert, Grassland and Aquatic

UNIT 2: ENERGY RESOURCES, BIODIVERSITY AND CONSERVATION
2.1 Renewable and Non-Renewable Energy Resources
2.2 Land Resources and land use change: Land degradation, soil erosion and desertification
2.3 Challenges and Opportunities in India’s Water Management and Biodiversity Conservation
2.4 Biodiversity of India: Significance, Biogeographic Zones, Conservation Initiatives
2.5 Understanding Biodiversity: Conservation, Values provided by biodiversity, Conservation, and Case Studies

UNIT 3: ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
3.1 Types of Pollution: Air, Water, Soil, and Noise
3.2 Nuclear Threats and Industrial Waste
3.3 Case Study: Itai Itai Disease, Minamata Disease and Bhopal gas Tragedy

UNIT 4: ENVIRONMENTAL POLICIES AND PRACTICES
4.1 Environment management and public awareness
4.2 Climate change, Acid rain, ozone depletion
4.3 Environmental Protection Acts and Environmental Ethics
4.4 Disaster Management
4.5 Human Population

Assessment Policy

Assessment Type

Weightage

Continuous

30%

Final

70%

  

Certificate Eligibility

To successfully complete the course and obtain the certificate, participants must achieve a minimum score of 40%, which include both assessment and final examination.

Upon completion, the earned credits will be transferred to the Academic Bank of Credits.


BOOKS AND REFERENCES

BOOKS
1. Shashi Chawla, “A Textbook of Environmental Studies” Mcgraw Hill Education, First edition, sixth reprint, 2012.
2. S. Deswal and A. Deswal, “An Introduction to Environmental Studies” Dhanpat Rai and Co., First edition, 2006.
3. J. Sinha and A. Bhardwaj, “Environmental Science”, Galgotia Publications Pvt. Ltd., First edition, 2011.

REFERENCES
Abbot, J. & Guijt, I. (1998) Changing views on change: participatory approaches to monitoring the environment. Pp. 1-96 in SARL Discussion Paper No. 2, July 1998. London: IIED (ISBN 1560-2192).
Abdalla, C.W. & Kelsey, T.W. (1996) Breaking the impasse: Helping communities cope with change at the rural-urban interface. Journal of Soil and Water Conservation 51: 462-466.

INSTRUCTOR BIO

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Dr. Aditya Sharma

The NorthCap University
Dr Aditya Sharma completed BSc (H) and MSc in Chemistry from the University of Delhi and PhD in Chemistry from IIT Delhi. She pursued her doctoral research work in collaboration with National Physical Laboratory, Delhi, as a CSIR-Junior and Senior research fellow. She secured first position in Chemistry in BSc (college level) and was highest scorer in Organic Chemistry at IITD during her PhD. She continually qualified UGC-CSIR-NET/JRF exam in Chemistry (Dec. 2007, June 2008 and Dec. 2008). She secured the first position in Chemistry at her graduation level and was the highest scorer in Organic Chemistry at IITD during her PhD. Aditya has published twenty-eight research articles, all in SCI-indexed, peer-reviewed international journals. The article entitled “Nanopatterned Cadmium Selenide Langmuir–Blodgett Platform for Leukemia Detection” authored by her, was a research highlight of Nature India & IITD website. Dr Aditya Sharma has been associated with NCU since January 2014. She is actively involved in teaching Environmental Studies, Organic Chemistry, Inorganic Chemistry, Nanochemistry and Nanotechnology, and Engineering Chemistry courses at NCU. Dr Aditya Sharma has excellent research profile and was awarded the Project on “Lateral Flow Assay Strip Sensor Development for Non–Invasive Point of Care Diagnosis of Urinary Tract Infection” worth 42.02 lakh by Department of Science and Technology (Science and Engineering Research Board) under Young Scientist scheme. She has published twenty-six research articles (all in SCI-indexed, peer reviewed international journals), one book-chapter (SCI-indexed) and one conference proceeding (Scopus indexed). She has guided two PhD scholars at NCU and is currently guiding three PhD students. Her areas of research interest include Nanomaterial synthesis, Thin film deposition, Supercapacitors, Electrochemistry, Biosensor development, Lateral flow assay, Cancer and Urinary Tract Infection diagnosis. Dr Bharti Arora has been awarded her PhD in Chemistry from the University of Delhi. She pursued her PhD at the University of Delhi after the completion of MSc (Organic chemistry) from Hansraj College. She pursued BSc (H) Chemistry at Hansraj College and secured second position at graduation level. She has also done P.G. Diploma (Patent Law) from NALSAR, Hyderabad. She has also done various certifications including "Design the Thinking" Certification, FinTech School of Design Thinking, Chennai. A meritorious student throughout from University of Delhi, Dr Arora has been awarded “UGC Research Fellowship in Science for Meritorious Students”. She was also selected for the “Jawaharlal Nehru Scholarships for Doctoral Research Studies” in 2008. Dr Bharti Arora has been associated with the university since July, 2013. She has eleven years of teaching experience including Hansraj College and Lady Irwin College (University of Delhi) in the past. She is actively involved in teaching Organic Chemistry, Analytical Chemistry, Engineering Chemistry, Biophysics, Environmental Studies, and Green Technology at NCU. Dr Arora has published seven SCI research papers and seven SCI chapters in books and one Scopus indexed conference proceeding. Currently, she is guiding two doctoral students. She also received an appreciation for excellent classroom teaching by Head, ASIC Accreditation, UK (Prof John Wilson) in 2016 at NCU. She has been honored as “Bentham Science Ambassador” from “India” by Bentham Publishers. She has received Elsevier Reviewer Recognition as certificate of appreciation for reviewing articles. Her areas of research interest include Biophysical and Biochemical aspects of Nucleic Acids, Structural Biology, Biopolymers, Ionic liquids, Bioinformatics, Water Purification, Phase change materials, Nanocomposites, Carbon Nanotubes.

COURSE CERTIFICATE

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