UNIVERSITY OF MADRAS
B.Sc. DEGREE COURSE IN Nautical Science
SEMESTER SYSTEM WITH CREDITS
(Effective from the Academic Year 2003-2004)

SYLLABUS

Semester II - Allied II - Environmental Science II

Duration of Examination: 3 hrs
Maximum Marks: 100
Credits: 4

1. Land

a) Formation of the earth and its structure - Evolution of continents and ocean basins - Continental drift hypothesis - concept of isotasy and its application to surface phenomena - recent ideas on drift: plate tectonics - practical significance of recent information

b) Materials of the earth's crust: minerals and rocks - rock types and their form action - lithological characteristics and their impact on land form development - Tectonic land forms: folds, faults and associated features - Volcanic and seismic activities: associated land forms.

c) Exogenic forces: denudation - Weathering, mass wasting and erosion - Marine land forms - Sea level changes - classification of coasts.

2. Oceans

a) Major relief features of the ocean-floor- Bottom relief of Indian, Atlantic and Pacific oceans properties of ocean water: temperature, salinity and density -Their vertical and horizontal distribution - ocean currents: factors and patterns - Ocean deposits: types and their work-NIO and its activities.

b) Biotic resources of the ocean: fish, corals, mangroves, etc. - Distribution of biotic resources- Problems of their exploitation - Environmental and other stresses - Remedial measures - Mariculture: merits and limitations.

c) Abiotic resources: types-Oceanic mineral nodules and placers-Oil arid natural gas - Technological advances-Marine politics and law of the sea-Environmental oceanic problems and oceanic jot-spots-Future of scenario.

d) Oceanic water as a resource: navigation , power generation, source of drinking water etc - Spatial pattern of feasibility - Oceanic islands and their strategic significance - Indian Ocean islands.

3. Atmosphere:

a) Factors affecting atmospheric motion and the resulting winds-Newton's laws and equation of motion-Basic pattern of air movement.

b) Horizontal and vertical distribution of atmospheric pressure and the resulting circulation Recent advances in the knowledge of general circulation: upper air waves and jet stream - Dynamics of the Indian monsoon.

c) Seasonal weather and climatic characteristics over India-Cyclones in India seas and their impact on coastal life.

d) Weather forecasting: methods and techniques-Constraints in accurate forecasts.

4. Practicals:

a) Identification of common rocks and minerals.
b) Readings and interpretation of topographical maps for coastal areas.
c) Reading and interpretation of hydrographic charts.
d) Preparation and interpretation of tidal charts.
e) Plotting of weather detail of surface stations.
f) Plotting of tephlgrams and their interpretation.
g) Tracking of cyclones.
h) Estimation of geostrophicwinds speed from geostrophicscale.
i) Reading and interpretation of I.M.D synoptic maps.
j) Interpretation of upper charts.

Books Recommended For Reading:

1. Wooldridge, S.W. and Morgan, R.S. (1988), 'An outline of Geomorphology', Orient Longman Calcutta.

2 Taling, D H and Tarling M.P( 1971), 'Continental Drift, G Bell and Sons Ltd, London

3. Birkland, P.W. and I.mson,. E.E (1978), 'Puthnam's Geology', Oxford University Press, New York.

4. Monkhouse, F.J. (1971), 'Principles of Physical Geography' Univesity of London Press.

5. Thombury, W.D. (1960), 'Principles of Geolorphology' John Wiley, New York.

6 Bhatt, J J (1978), 'Oceanography Exploring the Ocean', Von Norstand, New York

7. Sharma, R.C. and Vatal, M(1970), 'Oceanography for geographirs', Chaitanya, Allahabad.

8. Sharma, R.C. (ed) (1985), 'The Oceans: Realities and Prospects', Rajesh Publications, New Delhi.

9. Birla Economic Research Foundation (1992), 'The Oceans', Allied Publications. New Delhi.

10. Barry, R.S. and Chorley, R.J. (1971), 'Atmosphere, Weather and Climate', ELBS, Mehthuen, New York.

11. Flohn, 11(1969), 'Climate and Weather', World University Library.

12. Petterssen, A. (1969), 'Introduction to Meteology', Megraw Hill London.

13.Ayoade, J.O. (1983), 'Introduction to Climatology for the Tropics', John Wiley, Newyork

14.Anthes, R.A.et.al (1978), 'The Atmosphere', Charles E Merrill, columtus (Ohio)

15. Barrett, E.C. (1974), 'Climatology from Satellites', Metbuen,. London..

16. Riley, D. and Spolton. I(1974), 'World Weather and Climate', cambridge University Press.

17. Cole, F.W. (1970), 'Introduction to Meteorology', John Wiley, New York.