UNDERGRADUATE PROGRAMS

Human activity is the major force shaping the natural world today. In this current era of Anthropocene, the major challenges for the humankind are environmental in nature. Unprecedented emission of carbon dioxide, economic growth, urbanization since Industrial Revolution in 1760 have left the world at a stage where climate change is the defining issue of the 21st century. In light of this, Environmental Science course embraces a wide variety of topics from different areas of study. The course is specifically designed for students from different and diverse backgrounds who wish to learn about the physical and biological processes that shape our environment. Our biosphere consists of both living and nonliving elements as well as interactions among them. In this course, students get the scope to dig deep into all these processes and try to investigate why a balanced environment is essential for human survival. Therefore, this course has two broad goals. First, explaining basic concepts in ecology in the light of Chemistry and Biology. Second, applying these concepts to understand some of the critical environmental problems our world is facing today.

ENV 102 is a basic course in environmental study. In this course you will get an overview of the physical, human and environmental geography of the world. The physical factores, like: climate ocean current, population distribution, economy, urbanizations will be reviewed. It also includes the study of how environment influences human life and vice-versa. The geography of Bangladesh will be specially highlighted.

Ecological, managerial, economic and ethical concepts concerning survival of species. Scope and fundamental concepts of ecology. Applications of ecology, biogeography, population genetics and social sciences for the preservation of biodiversity. Habitat modification, destruction and restoration.  Management of endangered species. . (Pre requisite BIO 101). 

Ecological concepts and types of ecosystems (overview). The aquatic habitat: characterization and classification, characteristics of water. Standing waters (Lentic: ponds, lakes, freshwater wetlands); flowing water (Lotic: steams, rivers and floodplains), the abiotic components: substrate, temperature, dissolved substances.  The aquatic biota:  microbial community of freshwater ecosystems, phytoplankton: the basis of aquatic food chains, zooplankton, microinvertebrates (benthic and pelagic), vertebrates: (a). amphibians, aquatic reptiles and mammals; (b) fish and fisheries.  Interactions: pattern and processes in the aquatic food web.  Quantitative investigations of aquatic ecosystems biotic indices, ecological variables and their quantification.   Nutrients and eutrophication: (a) definition concepts and effects on the aquatic biota, (b) Biogeochemical cycles (Nutrient cycles).  Pollution: biological indices and indicator species.  Microbes, plankton and benthic macroinvertebrates as indicators. (Pre-requisite ENV 202)

The major global environmental concerns will be explained in their spatial context. Major areas of changes in atmosphere, ocean and land. Atmosphere: layered structure and global climate, industrialization and spread of atmospheric pollution through planetary wind system and acid rain. The Oceans: Global distribution of major water bodies and ocean currents, Ocean water pollution through hazardous waste disposal, chemical transportation, oil drilling. Functional and spatial relationship among climate, geology, landforms, vegetation, soils, minerals and water resources. Environment and Human Interface: Urbanization in the global context: environmental effects of rapid urbanization and unplanned urbanization. Land degradation due to desertification, deforestation  and  agricultural malpractice . Hydrologic Resources: Freshwater resources: pollution through industries, waste disposal and lack of sanitation; effects of dams and diversions. Global warming and Sea level rise: effects on coastal settlements (both urban and rural), agriculture and forestry.

Introduction to remote sensing, image processing and cartography for graphic presentation.  Map design and interpretation.  Remote sensing technology, types of images and their uses.  Techniques of land use and vegetation surveys.  Introduction to Geographic Information System (GIS).  Concepts, structure and application of GIS.  Hands-on experience with GIS software packages. (Pre-requisite for ENV 340).

Basic principles of public relations activities at the individual and organizational level as related to gaining acceptance of environmental management programmes.  Public relations and communications techniques for natural resource managers.  Public participation in natural resources management and planning.  (Pre-requisite SOC 301)

Microorganisms-their structure, reproduction, nutrition, biological activity, classification, identification and their role in the environment.  Applications of soil microbiology and plant nutrition.  Microbes in the aquatic environment and industrial microbiology and processing of different microbial products and their application, biological control and biodegradation, pathogenic and non-pathogenic microorganisms and public health (Pre-requisite ENV 202). 

Causes, effects, distributional patterns, and human adjustments to natural hazards. Context, methods, types of data, uncertainties and institutional arrangements for risk assessment.  Quantitative and qualitative approaches to the identification, characterization and control of environmental hazards to life and health.  Case studies of cyclones, floods, famines and earthquakes.

Introduction, Distribution of forests throughout the world and forest types of Bangladesh. Role of silviculture in forest management, constraints to management and expectation from silviculturists. Forest composition, stand structure and tree classification. Climate factors, succession and species diversity influencing forest management. Forest management practices in Bangladesh: history, legal aspects, nurseries, plantation forestry, agro-forestry and disease control. Tropical rain forest management in Asia and other parts of the world. 

Definition of nature conservation and ecotourism, Scopes and economic benefits of tourism and impacts of tourism on environment. Status of wildlife and their management in Bangladesh. Red Lists of wildlife and possible strategies for their conservation. Constituents and structure of Biocenoses, ecosystems and their major types. The balance of nature; nutrient cycling regulations. Conservation of Biodiversity and Agenda 21. Different conventions on nature and wildlife. Combating deforestation and different measures for afforestation and conservation.

Renewable Resources: solar, wind, biomass and water.  Non-renewable Resources: oil, gas, coal, uranium and other minerals.  Depletable resources: water, agriculture, forests and fisheries. Recyclable resources: wastewater, paper and metals. Sustainable Resources Development and Management. (Pre-requisite ENV 205)  

Hydrological, physical, biological and ecological principles applied to water resources management. Water resource development, and conservation in dry periods and arid regions for agricultural, natural resources and urban uses.  Impact of ecosystem manipulations on water yield and quality.  Case studies of Farakka Barrage, the Flood Action Plan and the National Water Management Plan of Bangladesh.

Inter-relationships of scientific, technical, cultural and social issues facing agriculture. Maintenance of soil fertility and techniques to control soil  erosion. Integrated pest management strategies. Minimizing post-harvest food losses. Principles of land use and environmental considerations.  Agriculture and land use policy analysis.  Case studies of the green revolution in developing nations. 

Functional elements of GIS. Spatial data input and output. Map  digitizing , map editing, advanced vector and raster data restructuring, maintenance of spatial and non - spatial data, analytical capabilities. Application of GIS for the analysis of environmental issues including laboratory demonstration. (Pre-requisite ENV 302)

Introduction, basic concepts, evolution of agro, social and community forestry in Bangladesh and the globe.  Seed collection, site selection, nursery planning and preparation.  Agro-Forestry concepts, design specifications, practices in Bangladesh and the globe.  Developing, monitoring and managing different types of Social forestry projects.  Developing, monitoring and managing agro and farm forestry projects,  Introduction of beneficial and indigenous species  in Home garden, Agro-Forestry and Social Forestry, Farm Forestry projects.  Alien and invasive species in extension forestry projects and its impact on environment.  Floristic and indigenous management techniques of home gardens in Bangladesh.  Economic and Environmental evaluation of extension forestry. (Pre-requisite ENV 310)

Chemical, physical and biological characteristics of estuaries and coastal wetlands.  Structure, dynamics, and bio-productivity of coastal ecosystems.  The relation between coastal processes, estuarine ecology and human activities.  Case studies of the management of Bangladesh's coastal ecosystems with special emphasis on the Sundarbans. (Pre-requisite ENV 202)

Introduction, basic concepts, the evolution of agro, social and community forestry in Bangladesh and the globe.  Seed collection, site selection, nursery planning and preparation.  Agro-Forestry concepts, design specifications, practices in Bangladesh and the globe.  Developing, monitoring and managing different types of Social forestry projects.  Developing, monitoring and managing agro and farm forestry projects,  Introduction of beneficial and indigenous species  in Home garden, Agro-Forestry and Social Forestry, Farm Forestry projects.  Alien and invasive species in extension forestry projects and its impact on the environment.  Floristic and indigenous management techniques of home gardens in Bangladesh.  Economic and Environmental evaluation of extension forestry. (Pre-requisite ENV 310)

Introduction to environmental impact assessment (EIA). Scope, concept and needs of environmental and social impact assessment.  Role of EIA in socioeconomic development. Assessment of social impacts.  Examples of EIA in selected developing countries.  EIA case studies in the fields of water resources development, industrialization, power plants, coastal area protection, wetlands conversion, and flood protection of urban areas.  Guidelines for EIA in developing countries (Pre-requisite of SOC 301).    

Overview of non-renewable and renewable energy resources: Oil, Gas, Coal and Uranium. Recyclable Resources: Minerals, Paper, Glass. Renewable Energy Resources: Solar, Wind, Bio-mass and Water. Water as a depletable resource. Agriculture as a private property resource. The forests as a storable resource. The Fisheries as a common-property resource. Generalized Resources: Economically sustainable resource development and management. (Pre-requisite ENV 301).

Concept of information systems, data capture, mapping the environment, raw data processing, validation and interpretation.  Evaluating satellite images.  Data storage, data analysis and decision support.  Environmental information online.  Environmental information processing, management, analysis and modeling environmental costs into profits. (Pre-requisite ENV 340)

Governmental and non-governmental institutions and progra­mmes for environmental and natural resources management.  Legal aspects of land, water and biological resources management.  Property rights and management of common property resources.  Comparative case studies of local, national and international environmental laws and their enforcement.        

Principles and issues of tropical  & Temperate forest ecology.  Biological diversity, global climate change, management approaches, and comparative national and international conservation strategies.  Relationships of ecological concepts to the dynamics of forest ecosystems.  Case studies of human use and alteration of tropical or temperate forests. (Pre-requisite ENV 310)