Detailed Syllabus Outline
- Environment and Sustainable Development, History of Environmental Movements, Industrial and Agriculture Revolution, United Nations Conference on Human Environment
- 1972, Our Common Future 1987, Rio Summit 1992, Agenda 21, World Summit on
- Sustainable Development 2002, Millennium Development Goals.
- Population growth, Poverty, Biodiversity loss and its Conservation, Energy security (energy conservation and alternative energy resources), Urbanization and sustainable cities, Carrying capacity and ecological footprint. Food security and sustainable agriculture. Ecological restoration.
- Orientation on convergence of various social and natural sciences to evolve a new discipline of environmental science: Environmental Biology, Environmental Chemistry, Environmental Physics, Environmental Microbiology, Environmental Toxicology, Environmental Economics, Environmental Geology, Environmental Geography, Environmental Biotechnology, Environmental Sociology.
- Air Pollution, Water Pollution, Soil Pollution, Noise Pollution, Solid Waste, Water Logging & Salinity, Deforestation, Desertification, Eutrophication, Global and regional air pollutionproblems (Greenhouse effect, Global Warming/Climate Change, Ozone Depletion, Acid Rain).
- Climate Pattern at local, regional and global scale. Different types of climate including tropical and mid latitude climate, polar climates. Climate change processes, Drivers and Indicators of Climate Change, Effects of Climate Chang on natural and societal systems. Carbon foot print. Climate change adaptation and mitigation, Clean Development Mechanism (CDM), REDD+. Global environmental politics on climate change: role of India, China and USA (Copenhagen Accord 2009).
- Policy, legal and institutional frameworks for governance of environment in Pakistan: National Conservation Strategy of 1992, National Environmental Policy Act of Pakistan
- 2005, Environmental Protection Act of 1997, Pak-EPA (Review of IEE/EIA) Regulations
- 2000, Hospital Waste Management Rules 2005, Pollution Charge Rules, Sample Rules, Solid Waste Management Plan 2005, Hazardous Substances Rules 2005, National Drinking Water Policy 2009, Sanitation Policy, National Climate Change Policy
- Brief on some of the Multilateral Environmental Agreements ratified by Pakistan, Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), Cartagena Protocol on Bio-safety, Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), Convention on Wetlands of International Importance Especially as Waterfowl Habitat (Ramsar Convention), Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species (CMS), United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), Kyoto Protocol to UNFCCC, Montreal Protocol on Substances that deplete the Ozone Layer, United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD).
- Environmental Impact Assessment, Strategic Environmental Assessment, Environmental Management Systems (ISO 14000), Occupational Health & Safety management systems (OHSAS 18000), Participatory Approaches to Environmental Management, Technological Approaches to Environmental Management, Approaches to Solid Waste Management, Disaster Risk Management, Pollution Control Technologies, Geographic Information System & Remote Sensing, Natural Resources Management.
FPSC Recommended Books
| Book Title | Author |
|---|---|
| Environmental Economics in Theory and Practice. | Hanley, N. Shorgen,J,White,B |
| Industrial Safety Health and Environmental Management | Jain R.K. Rao S.S |
| Environmental Science: Earth as a living Planet, 9th ed. | Botkin, D. Keller, E. 2014 |
| Environmental Geology Facing the Challenges of Our Changing Earth | Erickson, J |
| Environmental Geology. | Keller A.Edward |
| Earth Science. | Tarbuck. J. Edward Lutgens K. Friederick |
| Environmental Science: A Study of Interrelationship | Enger ED, Smith, B.F |
| Basics of Forestry and Applied Sciences, Concepts and Theory | Masood A.A Qureshi |
| Environmental Science: Working with Earth | Miller. T.G |
| Disaster Management: A Disaster Manager’s Handbook | Carter N.W |
| Disasters and Development | Cuny, F.C. |
| Disaster Management: Warning Response and Community Relocation | Perry R.W. Mushkatel, A.H. |
| Energy: Crisis or Opportunity, An Introduction to Energy Studies | Diana Schumacher |
| Environmental Geology | Carla W. Montgomery |
| Environmental Health; Ecological Perspective | Kathryn Hilgenkamp |
| Official Website of Govt. of Pakistan | www.environment. gov.pk |
| Official Website of UN Environment Programme. | www.unep.org |
How to Prepare Environmental Sciences
Environmental Sciences is arguably the most culturally relevant and highly scoring 100-mark subject right now, overlapping significantly with Current Affairs and Essay.
1. Core Environmental Issues: Focus heavily on Climate Change, Ozone Depletion, Acid Rain, and specific pollution types (Smog in Punjab, marine pollution in Karachi).
2. Global Conventions and Protocols: Commit to memory the outcomes of the Kyoto Protocol, Paris Agreement, and the latest COP climate summits. Cite these extensively.
3. EIA and Sustainable Development: Understand the framework of Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA) and frame all solutions around the UN's Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. How many marks does Environmental Sciences carry in the CSS Exam?
Environmental Sciences is a 100-mark subject in the FPSC CSS examination.
2. What are the core topics covered in Environmental Sciences?
The syllabus primarily revolves around I. History of Environmental Thought, II. Sustainable Development Issues, III. Interdisciplinary nature of Environmental Science and related topics. Check the detailed syllabus breakdown above for the exact structure.
3. Is Environmental Sciences a scoring subject?
Yes, Environmental Sciences is generally considered highly scoring if you stick strictly to the official FPSC syllabus, practice past papers, and use strong analytical arguments rather than generic statements.
4. How long does it typically take to prepare for Environmental Sciences?
For a 100-mark subject, a strategic preparation plan typically requires 2 to 3 weeks of dedicated, consistent study and note-making.
5. What are the best recommended books for Environmental Sciences?
FPSC recommends referring to authentic textbooks and journals. Some key referenced authors include Hanley, N. Shorgen,J,White,B and Jain R.K. Rao S.S. Avoid purely relying on local guidebooks.
6. Do I need a university degree in Environmental Sciences to opt for it?
While an academic background provides a massive advantage, it is not strictly mandatory. Many candidates successfully prepare for Environmental Sciences from scratch by consulting thoroughly recommended readings.
7. Are past papers important for Environmental Sciences preparation?
Absolutely. Analyzing the last 5 to 7 years of CSS past papers for Environmental Sciences is critical. It helps identify recurring themes, examiner traps, and high-frequency syllabus blocks.
8. How should I structure my answers in the Environmental Sciences subjective paper?
To score highly, structure your subjective answers with clear introductions, relevant headings, bullet points, flowcharts (if applicable), and a balanced, critical conclusion.
9. Does Environmental Sciences overlap with Compulsory CSS subjects?
Many concepts in Environmental Sciences can build a strong analytical foundation for the English Essay and Current Affairs papers. Always look for cross-disciplinary linkages while studying.
10. Is coaching necessary to pass Environmental Sciences?
No, professional coaching is not mandatory. With immense discipline, standard syllabus tracking, and self-evaluation via mock exams, candidates can secure excellent marks on their own.