GU makes environment science a compulsory subject in colleges
1.40L students at GU will study the subject in second semester.
Gujarat University’s green initiatives have now spread its roots to the under graduate class rooms. The varsity has become the first in the state and fourth in the country to introduce a subject on environment science at the undergraduate level.
Introduction of environment science as a subject at the undergraduate level means every student irrespective of the faculty he belongs to will have to study it. The subject will be available from the second semester. Those studying for arts, science, commerce, law, BBA, BCA among others will have to study the subject.
Around 1.40 lakh students of GU affiliated colleges, who will begin their second semester after the Diwali break, will take lessons in environment science, said vice- chancellor of GU, Dr Parimal Trivedi.
He said that the university had started the choice-based credit system and the UGC had given it a grant of Rs 21 crore. “One of the conditions put up by UGC was that the university should have a subject on environment at the undergraduate level. To abide by the same and to enhance understanding of issues related to the environment, we decided to introduce the subject at the undergraduate level,” Dr Trivedi told DNA.
He said the objective was to inform the students about various environmental problems like the expanding hole in the ozone layer, rise in temperature and its effect on Himalayan glaciers, the rising level of sea water etc.
"This will make environment science a subject for everyone to discuss. It will now not be restricted to experts and scientists," he said. Dr Trivedi said the subject will carry 100 marks and the questions will be objective type. He said the varsity has also finalized the syllabus for the subject. Dr Trivedi said all departments have been asked to hire visiting faculties in case they do not have an expert for the same. A per UGC guidelines, the GU has also started a course in climate change at the post graduate level which also deals with environment science, life science, bio-diversity etc.