Environmental Science

Dr.Belagali S.L.
Designation Chairman
Email Id  slb@envsci.uni-mysore.ac.in
Phone No +91 821 2419627

Brief History of Department

The Department of Studies in Environmental Science was started in the year 1992 which conducts M.Sc., M.Phil & Ph.D. Programmes. The Department used to be headed by Co-ordinators from the sister Departments like Department of Studies in Physics, with Prof. P.Venkataramaiah as the first Co-ordinator followed by Prof.J.Shashidhara Prasad & Prof.Nagappa. Dr.S.L.Belagali was appointed as Professor & Co-ordinator for Environmental Science department during October 1999 and he worked up to 5.11.2008 as the Co-ordinator. Later statues were framed and now Prof.S.L.Belagali has been appointed as the first Chairman of the Environmental Science department on 6.11.2008.

The Department of Studies in Environmental Science is engaged in the following academic activities.

  • Promotion of higher learning in the areas of Environmental Science
  • Research in thrust areas of national relevance.
  • Deputing teachers to take part in National & International Seminars and workshop forupdating their knowledge.
  • Conducting Seminars, Symposia and Conferences, to provide a platform for a one-to-one discussion for mutual benefit.
  • Encouraging Faculty members for higher studies and post-doctoral research in advanced countries.
  • Inviting experts from academics, industry, pollution Control Boards for interaction with students and staff members.
  • Extending research facilities and expertise available within the Department to Industries (through the University-Industry Interaction Center), Pollution Control Boards, as a part of the consultancy programme.
  • Writing books and popular scientific articles in English and Kannada to popularize environmental awareness among the general public.
  • Conducting various academic and cultural activities under the auspicious of the Environmental Association to keep the students and staff, up-to date on the latest developments in the Environmental Science.

ACADEMIC PROGRAMMES

M.Sc. Degree:

Twenty three students (15 Scheme-A, 8 Scheme-B) are admitted every year to first year M.Sc.Degree (two years course) based on the marks obtained at the qualifying examination and entrance test. The students are given intensive training in theory and practicals. As the course is interdisciplinary, they study Environmental oriented topics in Physics, Biology, Chemistry, Geology and Engineering. M.Sc. Programme is of semester system, involving four semesters. In the forth semester, the students will carry out the project work under the guidance of faculty members of the Department of Studies in Environmental Science.

The students will be adjudicated through periodic tests and examination (both in theory and practicals), at the end of each semester. Each semester runs for 16 weeks.

Four gold medals have been instituted to encourage the meritorious students.

M.Phi. Degree :

Ten students are admitted every year to M.Phil. course in Environmental Science (under fully self finance scheme, with Rs.50,000/- for the course). Required qualification – M.Sc. Environmental Science. The course runs for two semesters with course work in the first semester and dissertation in the second semester.

Ph.D. Degree.

The Department offers Ph.D. Programme that prepares promising students for career in research, teaching, industry and other disciplines of Environmental Science. Academic programmes are designed to meet the requirements and standards of the course. The intellectual expertise and technical skills acquired during the programme will enable the post graduate students to execute independent research career in academia, or Industry. The Ph.D. students also work in the sister departments and institutions under the guidance of recognized research supervisors of this department. At present, 25 research scholars are working in this department and 25 candidates were awarded with Ph.D. Degrees.

Broad Areas of Research:

  1. Environmental Chemistry
  2. Environmental Biology
  3. Environmental Geology
  4. Environmental Physics
  5. Environmental Engineering

Research Facilities :

The department is new and is still developing one with limited research facilities.

The academic and research activities are being carried out in association with other Institutions like CFTRI, IISc., BARC, DFRL, KSPCB etc.,

The course is gaining importance as the curriculum has been oriented to tackle the concurrent problems of our environment including creation of environmental awareness. The students of this department are being employed at various positions in Teaching, Industries, Pollution Control Boards, Forest Departments, which signals the significant sympton of job opportunities for the future Environmental Science students. The Hon’ Supreme Court has made the “Environmental Studies” as a compulsory paper at all the undergraduate levels.

Fifteen students cleared NET and four students cleared SLET. A few students left to other countries for higher studies and jobs.

Research Projects :

There were two Research Projects under the supervision of Prof.S.L.Belagali. One from ISRO RESPOND programme on “Qualification of methane flux from cattle manure dumps in the rural areas”. The other project was on : “Urban Air Pollution Studies” which was in collaboration with University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, U.S.A. At present a major research project is undertaken with Prof.S.L.Belagali as the Principal Investigator and Dr.N.S.Raju, Dr.S.Srikantaswamy, Dr.G.V.Venkataramana as the Co-investigators on the topic: “Industrial Pollution abatement through preventive strategies” funded by Ministry of Environment & Forests, New Delhi. Dr.N.S.Raju has got another major research project independently on the topic: “Application of novel methods for routine testing of potable water samples of bacterial contamination” funded UGC, New Delhi.

All the research projects have Regional, National and International importance. The department has a Gas Chromotograph worth of Rs. Three Lakhs. Under the above research projects, a lot instruments (worth of 14 lakhs) have been purchased for the department.

Department New Building:

UGC provided the financial support to build a separate building for the Environmental Science Department (presently only “L” shape). A separate research laboratory has been set-up for the research scholars.