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KURUKSHETRA UNIVERSITY
KURUKSHETRA
(“A+” Grade Accredited by NAAC)

Scheme of VAC-2 course for

Under-Graduate Programme
(Subject: Environmental Science)

Under Multiple Entry-Exit, Internship and

CBCS-LOCF in accordance to NEP-2020
w.e.f. 2023-24 (in phased manner)
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INSTITUTE OF ENVIRONMNETAL STUDIES,

KURUKSHETRA UNIVERSITY, KURUKSHETRA
Scheme of VAC course Subject: Environmental Science for Under-Graduate Programme
Under Multiple Entry-Exit, Internship and CBCS-LOCF in accordance to NEP-2020
w.e.f. 2023-24 (in phased manner)
FIRST YEAR: SEMESTER-1/ SEMESTER-2
Paper(s) Nomenclature of Credits Hours/ Internal External Total Exam
Remarks Course
Paper Week marks Marks Marks Duration
B23- Environmental
Scheme VAC 2 2 15 35 50 3 hrs.
VAC- Studies
A, B & C 2 credit
201
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VAC 2 B23-VAC-201
Session: 2023-24

Part A - Introduction

Subject Environmental Science

Semester I/ II

Name of the Course Environmental Studies

Course Code B23-VAC-201

Course Type: VAC

(CC/MCC/MDC/CC-M/DSEC
/VOC/DSE/PC/AEC/VAC)
Level of the course (As per 100-199
Annexure-I
Pre-requisite for t he course (if NA
any)
Course Learning Outcomes (CLO): After completing this course, the learner will be able to:
1. Understand the concept of environmental studies,
sustainable development and ecosystem.
2. Learn about the various natural resources and about
biodiversity and its conservation.
3. Know about the types of pollution, solid waste
management, global environmental issues and
environmental laws.
4. Understand the concept of population growth and its
impacts on environment and disaster management.
5. Get knowledge about the environment, its problems,
impacts and solutions.
Credits Theory Practical Total
2 NA 2

Contact Hours 2 NA 2

Max. Marks: 50 Time: 2 hours

Internal Assessment Marks: 15
End Term Exam Marks: 35
Part B- Contents of the Course
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Instructions for Paper- Setter

Total number of questions set will be nine. Questions no. 1 is compulsory covering the entire
syllabus. Two questions will be set from each unit. Students have to attempt five questions in all,
selecting one question from each unit including the compulsory question. Each question is of 7
marks. All questions carry equal marks. Final theory exam time allowed will be of 3 hours.
Unit Topics Contact
Hours
I Introduction to environmental studies: 02 hours/week
Multidisciplinary nature of environmental studies; Scope and
importance; Concept of sustainability and sustainable
development.
Ecosystems:
Definition, structure and function of ecosystem; Energy flow
in an ecosystem: food chains, food webs, Major ecosystems
types: Forest ecosystem, Grassland ecosystem, Desert
ecosystem and Aquatic ecosystem (lakes, rivers, oceans).
II Natural resources: Renewable and Non- renewable Resources
Land resources: Land degradation and soil erosion.
Forest resources: Importance of forests, deforestation: causes
and impacts on environment.
Water resources: Use and over- exploitation of surface and ground
water.
Energy resources: Renewable and non- renewable energy sources.
Biodiversity and Conservation:
Definition and its types, Endangered and endemic species of India.
Threats to biodiversity: Habitat loss, poaching of wildlife, man- wildlife
conflicts, biological invasions; Conservation of biodiversity: In-situ and
Ex- situ conservation of biodiversity.
Ecosystem and biodiversity services: Ecological, economic, social,
ethical, aesthetic and informational values.

III Environmental pollution

 Environmental pollution: types, causes, effects and controls;
Air, water, soil and noise pollution.
 Solid waste management: Sources, methods of disposal:
Landfill, incineration and composting.
 Climate change, global warming, ozone layer depletion, acid
rain and impacts on human communities and agriculture.
Environmental Policies & Practices
 Environmental laws: Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, Air










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 (Prevention & Control of Pollution) Act, 1981, Water

(Prevention and control of Pollution) Act, 1974.

IV Human Communities and the Environment:

 Human population growth: Impacts on environment, human
health and welfare.
 Resettlement and rehabilitation of project affected person.
 Disaster management: floods, earthquake, cyclones, landslides
and drought.
 Environmental ethics: Role of Indian and other religions and
cultures in environmental conservation.

Suggested Evaluation Methods

Internal Assessment:15 marks End Term

➢ Theory Examination:
 Class Participation: 4 marks Theory: 35 marks
(Written exam)
 Seminar/presentation/assignment/quiz/class test etc.: 4marks
 Mid-Term Exam: 7 marks

Part C-Learning Resources

Recommended Books/e-resources/LMS:

1. Kaushik, A & Kaushik, C.P. 2022. Perspectives in Environmental Studies. New Age International Pvt
Ltd, New Delhi.
2. Bharucha, E. 2021. A Textbook of Environmental Studies for Undergraduate Courses, Orient
Blackswan Pvt Ltd.
3. Goswami, P., Mandal, J. & Singh, S. 2022. A Textbook on Environmental Studies, Ashok book stall,
Assam.
4. Joshi, P.C. & Joshi, N. 2009. A Text Book of Environmental Science. APH Publishing Corporation.
5. Basu, M. & Xavier Savarimuthu, S.J. 2017. Fundamentals of Environmental Studies. Cambridge
University Press.
6. Singh, R.P. & Islam, Z. 2012. Environmental Studies. Concept Publishing Company.