Category: Natural & Applied Sciences (NAS)

This course is an introduction to the necessary biochemical and chemical activities in the cell and examines the structure and function of fundamental chemicals of living organisms: carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, enzymes, inorganic ions, and water. Topics include: vital chemicals of living organisms; monomers and chemicals bonds; carbohydrates – disaccharides and polysaccharides; lipids – the role of lipids in organisms; proteins – dipeptides and polypeptides; quaternary structure; inorganic ions- roles of calcium and iron; pH; colloids; water; enzymes – role, protein nature, mode of action and substrate, properties, denaturation and inhibition.

From ages, humanity has been exploring genetics when shuffling for the best animals and plants for their gain. This course is within tenet to have the students recognize the role of Genetics, Reproduction and Evolution. Students will be given a chance to analyze laws of genetics, including Mendelian and post- Mendelian concepts, mutations and human genetics and recognize how these laws are related to the structure and function of DNA. They will also describe how traits are passed from one generation to the next generation. Analyze asexual and sexual reproduction, mitosis, meiosis and life cycles in marine plants and animals. As it pertains to evolution, the theory of natural selection will be discussed and searched for evidence. Students will analyze how organisms have changed over time using fossils and various pieces of evidence and describe how these adaptations help an organism to survive.

Overfishing occurs when more fish are caught than the population can replace through natural reproduction. Gathering as many fish as possible may seem like a profitable practise, but overfishing has serious consequences. The results affect not only the balance of life in the oceans but also the social and economic well-being of the coastal communities who depend on fish for their way of life. Billions of people rely on fish for protein, and fishing is the principal livelihood for millions of people around the world. For centuries, our seas and oceans have been considered a limitless bounty of food. However, increasing fishing efforts over the last 50 years, as well as unsustainable fishing practices, are pushing many fish stocks to the point of collapse. More than 30 per cent of the world’s fisheries have been pushed beyond their biological limits and require strict management plans to restore them. Several substantial commercial fish populations (such as Atlantic bluefin tuna) have declined to the point where their survival as a species is threatened. Target fishing of top predators, such as tuna and groupers, is changing marine communities, which lead to an abundance of smaller marine species, such as sardines and anchovies. Many fishers are aware of the need to safeguard fish populations and the marine environment, however illegal fishing and other regulatory problems still exist. WWF works with stakeholders to reform fisheries management globally, focusing on sustainable practices that conserve ecosystems, but also sustain livelihoods and ensure food security. This course is designed to identify the threats and offer possible solutions to secure food stability from our fisheries.

The extent of territorial waters defines the Coastal zones up to the high watermark. They are long, narrow features of mainland, islands and seas, generally forming the outer boundary of the coastal domain. The Coastal Zone Management (CZM) is a process of governance that consists of the legal and institutional framework necessary to ensure that development and management plans for coastal zones are integrated with environmental and social goals, and are developed with the participation of those affected. The goals of the Coastal Management (CZM) are to “preserve, protect, develop, enhance, and restore where possible, the coastal resources.” The purposes of Coastal Zone Management are given below: To maximize the benefits provided by the coastal zone, To minimize conflicts and harmful effects of activities upon each other, resources and the environment, To promote linkages between sectoral activities and To guide coastal area development in an ecologically sustainable fashion. The prime objective of CZM is to create a balance between development needs and protection of natural resources which means if coastal ecosystems are managed through the guiding principles of sustainability, then livelihoods of millions will be protected and their survival guaranteed. Coastal Zone Management is an interdisciplinary and inter-sectoral approach to problem definition and solutions in the coastal zone. Hence, faces numerous challenges which are given: Failure to appreciate the interconnections within coastal systems, Inadequate legislation and lack of enforcement, Limited understanding and experience in ICZM, Limited knowledge of coastal and marine processes, lack of trained personnel, relevant technologies and equipment. The Coastal Zone Management (CZM) is based on two sets of principle- firstly agreed international norms, which were set out in the Rio Declaration on Environment and Development; and secondly based on bio-physical nature of the coastal zone.

This course focuses on the elemental nature of matter and the periodicity of physical and chemical properties of the elements. The periodicity of physical properties of the elements is studied. Group II metals, Group IV elements, and Group VII elements are considered. General physical and characteristic chemical properties of the first set of transition elements are studied.

This course is structured to provide knowledge and understanding of the major components of the environment. This course deals with the following aspects of environmental science; the atmosphere, the hydrosphere and the biosphere. The major cycles of atmospheric gases are studied along with the causes of atmospheric pollution. This course also focuses on the water cycle and factors contributing to water pollution. The treatment to solid and liquid waste is considered in order to preserve water quality.