· Understand and know various aspects of environment, its composition and properties.
· Understand the significance of various components of environment.
· To be aware of various types of biogeochemical cycles.
· Know the concepts of biodegradation, biodetorioration, and bioleaching.
Microbial population of air, water (drinking and potable) and soil. Population interaction: Neutralism, Commensalism, Synergism, Mutualism, Competition, Ammensalism, Parasitism, and Predation.
Carbon Cycle, Nitrogen Cycle, Sulphur Cycle, Phosphorus Cycle, Iron, heavy metals cycles. Hydrogen and Oxygen cycle
Different types of liquid waste treatment: Primary, Secondary and tertiary treatment.
Aerobic process – activated sludge, oxidation ditches, and trickling filters, Anaerobic Process – anaerobic digestion, anaerobic filters, up flow anaerobic sludge.
Solid Wastes: Sources and management (Sanitary landfills, incineration, composting, vermiculture, methane production).
Biodegradation of natural compounds (cellulose, hemicelluloses, lignin, starch, chitin), Biodegradation of environmental pollutants: (Aromatic and Aliphatic Pesticides, synthetic polymers, detergents and hydrocarbons), Bioremediation of Xenobiotics, bioaccumulation and biomagnification.
Biodeterioration of paper and paper pulp, wood, paint, textiles, leather, metals (corrosion). Control of biodetorioration.
Bioleaching of metals, Microbial enhanced oil recovery.