URD 244                                               Ecology                                  Cr. H=3

Introduction to course

Ecology is interaction of the community with the environment. Environmental issues are of immense importance all over the world, human activities are disturbing environment on large scale leading to ozone depletion, greenhouse effect, Global warming and drastic climatic conditions. Therefore now alternate renewable sources of energy should be used in order to conserve the environment where by  protecting the biodiversity of our planet. This course include following main  topics.   

• Introduction to ecology and environment
• Environment and its components
• Ecosystem and its components
• Energy flow in the ecosystem
• Biogeochemical cycles
• Impact of humans on the environment
• Non Renewable and Renewable sources of energy
• Conservation of environment

Course pre-requisites (if any)

• The prerequisites is the study of  biology at  FSc or  biology or environmental science at matric  level

Learning outcomes

Students will able to understand

• Environment and its components. How do different communities interact with environment in various parts of the world to form biomes.
• How ecosystem maintains itself, via energy flow and biogeochemical cycles.
• Impact of humans on ecosystem, how humans are influencing environment, making it polluted by using nonrenewable energy sources like organic fuel.

Textbooks to be used for the course

• Paul A. Keddy, Plant Ecology Origins, processes, Consequences. 2nd Edition. (Cambridge University Press, 2017).

Canadell, J. G, Diaz, S. Heldmaier, G. Jackson, R.B, Levia, D. F., Schulze, E .D, Sommer, U., Wardle, D.A. Ecological Studies. (Springer, 2019).                                                          Hegazy, Jon L.Doust, Plant Ecology in the Middle East. (Oxford University Press, 2016).

• Matthew Fisher. Environmental Biology. (Open Oregon Press book Publishing company, 2018).
• Hongqiang Ren and Xuxiang Zhang. High-Risk Pollutants in Wastewater. (Elsevier Publishing Company, 2019).

Description of system of Evaluation (Exam, assignments etc)

• Sessional                           20%
• Mid Term Exam                 30%       
• Final exam:                        45%