CURRICULUM DETAILS

IISAC’s tropical green school in association with its partner institutions (TIES and MACFAST) in Kerala offer courses in nature biology associated with lab practicals for scientific skill development. This will allow visiting students from abroad to integrate technology into the learning experience. Courses numbered 300 and above are available to students having a minimum   three courses in biology or environmental science courses at their universities while courses above 400 are reserved for students who completed a minimum  of four courses in their subject area. Students in sophomore or junior standing can enroll for 300 level courses at Tropical Green School while students in junior or senior standing can enroll for 400 level courses. All these courses will provide a strong foundation for a career in Biology/ Environmental Sciences/Nature Biology/Agriculture/Aquatic Biology and Natural Resources Management.
 

1. BIODIVERSITY FIELD PROGRAM

Field Study Objectives

The major objectives of the program are:

1. To familiarize students with the diversity of tropical ecosystems and its conservation using Kerala as a model for tropical biodiversity.
2. To understand the species composition and adaptations of the types within each ecosystems. In aquatic habitat emphasize will be on  freshwater, brackish, marine and mangrove ecosystems while in terrestrial ecosystem, the evergreen tropical forests, moist deciduous forests, shola forests, scrub jungles and grasslands will be of focus.
3. To get an insight into the dynamics of different types of ecosystems in the tropics.
4. To make comparative evaluation of undisturbed and disturbed ecosystems in Kerala in relation to conservation efforts.
5. To understand and evaluate the impact of human action on the environment
6. To asses sustainability and measures of conservation of the environment.
7. To compare temperate ecosystem with that of a tropical ecosystem.
    

Field School Outcome

   The field school curriculum emphasize on valuable skills like:

1. Biodiversity Estimation
2. Identification of common flora and fauna
3. Water quality testing and pollution studies
4. Structure of tropical forests
5. Wild life management
6. Changing patterns of vegetation
7. Identification of tropical crops and farming techniques
8. Soil quality testing & soil profiles
9. Conservation issues
10. Economic biology & ethnobotany
11. Nature photography
12. Preparation of inventory of freshwater, backwater and marine fishes and other aquatic life forms
13. Comparative ecological study of various ecosystems
14. Study of Agrobiodiversity and mixed farming systems
15. Organic farming protocols with local farmers
16. Impact of rubber, tea and coffee plantations on forest ecology
17. Human ecology and cultural studies
18. Biology of wetland birds Vs terrestrial birds
     

Field School Sample Itinerary

The sample itinerary is prepared for students and professors interested with the incredible biotic wealth of Kerala. The tour highlights diverse ecosystems, flora and fauna of Kerala as well as associated conservation issues. The tour starts from marine ecosystem and ends with various types of tropical forests.

Day 1 Welcome to Kerala
Day 2 Mangrove forest and marine ecology - Cochin
Day 3 Wetland ecology & fisheries - Kumarakom
Day 4 Cultural exchange & Ayurveda - Kottayam
Day 5 Tropical agriculture & horticulture - Mundakayam
Day 6 Highland ecology and plantations - Kumily
Day 7 Tropical rainforests & wildlife – Periyar Tiger Reserve
Day 8 Tropical flora and fauna - Periyar Tiger Reserve
Day 9 Shola and montane forests – Munnar
Day 10 Scrub Jungles, dry deciduous and wild life - Chinnar
Day 11 Avian fauna: wetland Vs terrestrial - Thattekadu
Day 12 Leave Kerala

Note:  This is only a sample itinerary. Tropical green school develops field school curriculum in accordance with the curriculum needs of US universities. We have several biodiversity study tour itineraries for initiating discussions with professors interested in developing field study program in Kerala through IISAC’s Tropical Green School. 

For more information contact:
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2.BIODIVERSITY AND NATURE BIOLOGY LECTURE COURSES

TGS 300: Foundation course – Tropical Biodiversity – 3 cr

The course will introduce the students to typical and unique features of tropical biodiversity through power point presentation, films and laboratory exercises.
 

Lecture 1 – Introducing Kerala

Introduction to Kerala - Physiography (lowland, midland, highland); Rivers, backwaters, lakes, estuaries and oceans; Seasons  and climate of Kerala; Soils and  rocks- classification and types ; Ground water, rain water, fresh water, and minerals; Food resources  of Kerala; People, culture and customs.

Lecture 2 – Basic Concepts of Tropical Ecology

Concept of Ecology- Ecosystem structure  and function, habitats and niches; Cycles of matter- water cycle, carbon cycle and nitrogen cycle; Relationship in the eco system- predators, parasitism and symbiosis; Endemism and species extinction.

Lecture 3 – Habitat Diversity of Kerala

Ecosystem diversity of Kerala; Terrestrial, fresh water and marine eco systems; Western Ghats and hotspots of biodiversity; Forest types and  forest wealth.

Lecture 4 – Tropical Biodiversity

Introduction to tropical bio-diversity and bio-resources; Plant and animal diversity; Marine and fresh water life forms; Microbial and fungal diversity with special reference to Kerala.

Lecture 5 – Taxonomical identification of Fauna and Flora (Terrestrial)

Basics in taxonomy- Plants and animal species of Kerala; Flowering plants (angiosperms) and gymnoperms); Lower green plants (algae, fungi, byrophytes, and pteridophytes); Invertebrates (butterflies, dragonflies & damsel flies), vertebrates (pisces, amphibia, reptilia, aves and mammals).

Lecture 6 - Marine Taxonomy

Coastal and marine biodiversity of Kerala; Basics in marine taxonomy- Diatoms, dinoflagellates, sea weeds (marine algae), sea grasses, mangroves; Marne animals and coral reefs

Lecture 7 – Fish Diversity and Economics

Biology and taxonomy of fishes; Aquaculture- prawn farming; Shell fish harvesting; Fish products, fishing crafts and gears

Lecture 8 – Agro-Biodiversity and Crop practices of Kerala

Agro- bio diversity and crops of Kerala- food crops, fruit and vegetable crops, plantation crops, and spices; Agricultural practices, organic farming, agro – forestry; Basic principles of horticulture; Sustainable agriculture

Lecture 9 – Genetic Diversity and Conservation efforts

Genetic diversity of crops and importance of their wild relatives in agriculture development; Plant breeding and tissue culture

Lecture 10 -Threats of Biodiversity and Conservation

Threats to bio-diversity; Conservation techniques- in situ and other conservation methods; Principles of wild life management; Tribal population and ethnic knowledge; Ethno botany and Ayurveda

Lecture 11 - Biodiversity Utilization and Economics

Economics of tropical bio –diversity; Eco- tourism in Kerala; Kerala model of sustainable development and its global attraction

Lecture 12 - Biodiversity field techniques:

• Observation skills and hypothesis generation
• Population estimation and monitoring; Direct and indirect counting; Sampling techniques- quadrate, transects 
• Exploration, characterization and assessment of biodiversity
• Specimen collection and plant identification

• Insect collection and identification

• Avian inventory techniques
• Arthropod sampling and identification
• Aquatic sampling
• Wildlife management

Lecture 13 – Ecological Issues of Kerala

Eco and environmental technology; Energy resources of Kerala; Environmental issues and public health- pollution in Kerala, urbanization and sewage issues; tropical diseases and pathogens

Lecture 14 – Frontier Biological Research in Kerala

Bioprospecting, biotechnology, phytochemistry   and   bioinformatics

Lecture 15- Ecotourism, sustainable development and hospitality management

ELECTIVE COURSES

Advanced Courses