This course is designed for UG/PG students to provide a comprehensive knowledge of the Indian monsoon and its variability on different spatial and temporal time scales. The physics and dynamics of the monsoon variability involve a basic understanding of air-sea interaction, and their teleconnection with oscillations such as the El Nino-Southern Oscillation (ENSO). An in depth exploration of the background, the present understanding about nature of the system responsible for the monsoon mechanism, which leads to its variability, will be elucidated. Skill of the state of art models in simulating and predicting the variability of the monsoon will be discussed, and problems and prospects of improvement of predictions will be considered. In addition, the impact of the Indian monsoon on agriculture and the economy will be discussed.
Environmental pollution is a major threat to the survival of mankind. Therefore, management of environmental pollution is of great interest to the society. This course will introduce quantitative scientific basis for characterization, risk assessment, fate and transport, and remediation of pollution throughout the environment.
The Environmental Sciences Field Trip course includes guided visits to national labs research facilities, Institute's facilities, water treatment plants, etc. where students will observe and analyze environmental processes in action. It includes hands-on activities, such as sampling, data collection, and environmental assessments.