Teaching Learning at BVIEER

The Institution has clearly defined objectives to see that the learning process in environment  studies at all levels in the Institution includes current knowledge, a high level of attainment of skills and most importantly a correct approach and attitude to the environment. It focuses attention on the distribution of resources, population issues, conservation of biological diversity, effects of pollution, energy use, etc. linked to actions at the individual level.  Teaching methodologies stress on an ability to conceptualize and develop strategies for sustainable use of environmental resources. Debates around conservation and development through real life field experiences have been a special focus of our teaching programs. To trigger pro-environmental attitude building among students, the Institute organizes field visits to natural resource areas such as National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries and environmental problem sites where poor land-use planning, degradation of the ecosystem due to pollution, can be seen first hand.
The Institute has a semester system for its Masters program. This is specially designed to include field experience and interactions with communities so that the student appreciates why he/she is learning each of these topics. The M.Sc. curricular modifications have been done in 2007 in order to incorporate the new emerging horizons in the field of environment. Personnel from industry and other Government and Non Government Organizations are invited to be part of the Committee for curricula change.  The need of specific expertise by potential employers is thus incorporated into the curricula. Seminars have been included in the curriculum and they form a part of Internal Assessment. This has been done with the objective of enhancing the students’ ability to present an issue after extensive library research and enhance communication skills. It permits the rest of the students to ask questions and generates a debate on the subject. Practicals for subjects such as Natural Resource Management and Environment Education and Awareness are implemented in the field in real life situations rather than in laboratories to help students appreciate practical difficulties associated with project implementation. Field visits to industries, organizations and natural ecosystems are a compulsory part of the course. This not only helps the student in building a rapport with potential employers but also enhances their understanding of the ground realities in problem solving for the environment. Students are encouraged to participate in the non-formal activities of the Institute.

List of approaches and efforts made to provide appropriate teaching-learning experiences for environment studies at the graduate and postgraduate level.

1. Field visits to different types of natural and industrial sites to get first hand information about the realities of the environment.

2. Regular guest lectures by eminent people.

3. Encourage interaction with personnel form industry and other experts visiting the Institute.

4. Extensive use of audio-visuals, CD- Roms for teaching.

5. Encourage laboratory experiments to enhance various skills.

6. Collaborative teaching for GIS course.

7. Students are encouraged to enhance their skills through joint fieldwork between German and Indian students.

8. Ensure regular study through assignments and seminars by the students.

Understanding values of ecosystems

9. Students are encouraged to take up innovative topics for their dissertations.

10. Students are encouraged to take up community environmental action programs.

11. Enhance understanding of ground realities through interactions with NGOs and community members.

12. Encourage interactions with school students and teachers through the School Environment Education Programs.

The core faculty has a broad base of expertise in different aspects of environment and has thus been instrumental in designing and redefining the thrust of the curriculum. This has enabled a continuous change in the approach and has provided a strong foundation for diversifying the courses conducted by the Institute from time to time as the need arose.

The visiting faculty include experts with a high level of very specialized expertise from varied sectors of environment management. No Institution on environment can develop this type of human resources in-house. The visiting faculty who have hands-on working experience of environmental management are able to provide students with practical experience.