SCI 103

Introduction to Environmental Science

Instructors

Instructor: Dr. Fozia Parveen , Centre for Water Informatics & Technology (WIT)

Email: fozia.parveen@lums.edu.pk

TA:  Samar Farrukh

Course Description

With a globally declared climate emergency and lack of commitment from world leadership to bring about radical changes in resource consumption and exploitation, it has become crucial to bring that change at personal and community level. Such local initiatives have triggered global movements that are demanding a change in policy and governance with respect to climate change in general and natural resource management and environmental conservation in particular. This course will try to establish the link between an individual and their hydrosphere, geosphere, atmosphere and biosphere to bring about the much needed sensitization through science. The course will have lectures, discussions and field visits/documentaries for better understanding of the issues and to propose relevant solution at the end of the course.

The course will have components for both the science and philosophy of environment and its conservation. It will also touch upon the law and policies and their discourse in Pakistan and touch upon the issue of climate change. A discussion on importance of global rules and complying to sustainable development goals will also be touched upon. 

Course Details

Offering

  • Year: 2020
  • Semester: Fall
  • Open for Student Categories: All SBASSE Students
  • Credits Hours: 3
  • Lecture Timings: Mon, Wed 6:00 - 7:15 PM

Prerequisites

None

Textbooks

  •  Research papers (To be provided after each lecture)
  •  Henry, J. G. & Hainke, G. W. 1996. Environmental Science and Engineering. 2nd ed, Pearson Education Inc., New Jersey, USA.
  • Hardy, J. T. 2003. Climate Change: Causes, Effects and Solutions. John Wiley and Sons Inc., West Sussex, England
  • Miller, G. T., Spoolman, S. E. 2013. Environmental Science. 4th ed, Brooks/Cole, Cengagelearning, Belmont USA

Course Delivery

Lectures are taken in the form of live online sessions on zoom. Recordings of the sessions can be accessed here.

Lecture Breakdown

Week

Topics

Book/Reference

Week 1

 

  • Introduction to the course

  • Our Natural Environment

 Henry & Heinke, Miller & Spoolman

Week 2

 

  •  Atmosphere

  • Biosphere

Henry & Heinke, Miller & Spoolman

 

Week 3

  • Hydrosphere

  •  Lithosphere

  • Nutrient cycles

 Henry & Heinke, Miller & Spoolman

Week 4

  • History of environmental laws and multilateral environmental agreements                      

Week 5

 

 

  • Sustainable development goals

 UN online Resources

Week 6

 

  • Environmental Laws in Pakistan

  • National environmental quality standards

 Online resources 6 PEPA

Week 7

 

  • Renewable and non-renewable resources

  •  Plastic pollution

 Miller & Spoolman

Week 8

 

  • Understanding the role of microorganisms in our environment (microplastic pollution)

 Guest and online resource

Week 9

 

  • Environmental awareness campaign- class activity

  • Mid Term Exam

Henry & Heinke, Miller & Spoolman

Week 10

 

  • Agroecology

  • In conversation with a farmer

 Henry & Heinke
+
Guest speaker

Week 11

  • Economics of Environment

  • Role play- Environmental Negotiations

Harvard case studies
+
Guest speaker

Week 12

 

  • Transboundary impacts of Climate change (Kabul River Basin)

  • Pollution Control strategies- I

 Henry &Heinke
+
Guest speaker

Week 13

 

  • Pollution Control strategies- II

 FAO online resources

Week 14

 

  • Course Project

  • Final Presentations

  

Week 15

 

  • Dead week and review period

  

Week 16

 

  • Final Examination