Curriculum Overview
The Sustainability program at Anant National University Ahmedabad is structured over 8 semesters to provide a comprehensive understanding of sustainability principles and practices. The curriculum integrates core science subjects, engineering fundamentals, policy analysis, environmental impact assessment, and specialized electives tailored to specific areas of sustainability.
| Year | Semester | Course Code | Course Title | Credit Structure (L-T-P-C) | Pre-requisites |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | CHM101 | Chemistry for Sustainability | 3-1-0-4 | - |
| 1 | 1 | MAT101 | Mathematics I | 4-0-0-4 | - |
| 1 | 1 | PHY101 | Physics for Sustainability | 3-1-0-4 | - |
| 1 | 1 | BIO101 | Biology for Sustainability | 3-1-0-4 | - |
| 1 | 1 | ENV101 | Introduction to Environmental Science | 3-1-0-4 | - |
| 1 | 2 | MAT102 | Mathematics II | 4-0-0-4 | MAT101 |
| 1 | 2 | CHM102 | Chemistry II | 3-1-0-4 | CHM101 |
| 1 | 2 | PHY102 | Physics II | 3-1-0-4 | PHY101 |
| 1 | 2 | BIO102 | Biology II | 3-1-0-4 | BIO101 |
| 1 | 2 | ENV102 | Environmental Impact Assessment | 3-1-0-4 | ENV101 |
| 2 | 3 | ECO101 | Economics for Sustainability | 3-1-0-4 | - |
| 2 | 3 | CIV101 | Introduction to Civil Engineering | 3-1-0-4 | - |
| 2 | 3 | MAT201 | Probability and Statistics | 3-0-0-3 | MAT102 |
| 2 | 3 | CHE101 | Chemical Engineering Fundamentals | 3-1-0-4 | - |
| 2 | 3 | MAT202 | Calculus for Sustainability | 4-0-0-4 | MAT102 |
| 2 | 4 | ECO102 | Environmental Economics | 3-1-0-4 | ECO101 |
| 2 | 4 | CIV102 | Structural Engineering | 3-1-0-4 | CIV101 |
| 2 | 4 | MAT203 | Differential Equations | 3-0-0-3 | MAT201 |
| 2 | 4 | CHE102 | Chemical Processes and Reaction Engineering | 3-1-0-4 | CHE101 |
| 2 | 4 | MAT204 | Numerical Methods | 3-0-0-3 | MAT201 |
| 3 | 5 | ECE201 | Electrical Engineering Fundamentals | 3-1-0-4 | - |
| 3 | 5 | CSE201 | Introduction to Computer Science | 3-1-0-4 | - |
| 3 | 5 | ENV201 | Climate Change and Adaptation Strategies | 3-1-0-4 | - |
| 3 | 5 | MAT301 | Linear Algebra | 3-0-0-3 | MAT201 |
| 3 | 5 | CIV201 | Geotechnical Engineering | 3-1-0-4 | CIV102 |
| 3 | 6 | ECE202 | Control Systems | 3-1-0-4 | ECE201 |
| 3 | 6 | CSE202 | Data Structures and Algorithms | 3-1-0-4 | CSE201 |
| 3 | 6 | ENV202 | Sustainable Urban Planning | 3-1-0-4 | ENV201 |
| 3 | 6 | MAT302 | Complex Variables and Transform Methods | 3-0-0-3 | MAT301 |
| 3 | 6 | CIV202 | Hydraulic Engineering | 3-1-0-4 | CIV201 |
| 4 | 7 | CSE301 | Software Engineering | 3-1-0-4 | CSE202 |
| 4 | 7 | ECE301 | Digital Signal Processing | 3-1-0-4 | ECE202 |
| 4 | 7 | ENV301 | Sustainable Energy Systems | 3-1-0-4 | - |
| 4 | 7 | MAT401 | Optimization Techniques | 3-0-0-3 | MAT302 |
| 4 | 7 | CIV301 | Transportation Engineering | 3-1-0-4 | CIV202 |
| 4 | 8 | CSE302 | Machine Learning | 3-1-0-4 | CSE301 |
| 4 | 8 | ECE302 | Embedded Systems | 3-1-0-4 | ECE301 |
| 4 | 8 | ENV302 | Water Resource Management | 3-1-0-4 | - |
| 4 | 8 | MAT402 | Advanced Numerical Methods | 3-0-0-3 | MAT401 |
| 4 | 8 | CIV302 | Environmental Engineering | 3-1-0-4 | CIV301 |
Advanced Departmental Electives
Advanced departmental electives form a crucial component of the program, offering students opportunities to specialize and deepen their knowledge in specific areas. Here are some detailed descriptions of selected courses:
Renewable Energy Technologies
This course explores the technological aspects of solar, wind, hydroelectric, and geothermal energy systems. Students learn about photovoltaic cell design, wind turbine aerodynamics, hydroelectric power generation, and geothermal heat extraction techniques. The course emphasizes practical applications through laboratory experiments and case studies from global renewable energy projects.
Green Building Design
Green building design focuses on sustainable construction practices that minimize environmental impact while maximizing energy efficiency and occupant comfort. Students study sustainable materials, passive solar design, energy-efficient HVAC systems, and LEED certification processes. The course includes hands-on projects where students design green buildings using industry-standard software tools.
Carbon Footprint Analysis
This course teaches students how to measure, analyze, and reduce carbon emissions across various sectors including manufacturing, agriculture, and transportation. Students learn about life cycle assessment (LCA), carbon accounting standards, and policy frameworks for carbon reduction. The course includes practical exercises using industry tools like SimaPro and GaBi.
Environmental Impact Assessment
This course provides students with the skills to assess the potential environmental consequences of proposed projects. Students learn about regulatory frameworks, stakeholder engagement, impact mitigation strategies, and reporting requirements. Practical components involve conducting field assessments and preparing comprehensive EIA reports.
Sustainable Transportation Systems
This course examines transportation challenges and solutions from a sustainability perspective. Students explore electric vehicles, public transit systems, urban mobility planning, and sustainable logistics networks. The course includes site visits to smart cities and interviews with transportation planners.
Biodiversity Conservation
Students study the principles and practices of biodiversity conservation in natural and managed ecosystems. Topics include species identification, habitat restoration, protected area management, and community-based conservation strategies. The course involves fieldwork in local ecosystems and collaboration with conservation organizations.
Sustainable Supply Chain Management
This course addresses how companies can integrate sustainability into their supply chains. Students learn about sustainable sourcing, ethical labor practices, waste reduction techniques, and supplier evaluation methods. Case studies from global corporations illustrate successful implementation of sustainable supply chain strategies.
Climate Change Mitigation
The course covers strategies for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and enhancing carbon sinks. Students study renewable energy transitions, energy efficiency improvements, land-use planning, and policy instruments for climate action. The course includes simulations of climate negotiations and policy development processes.
Industrial Ecology
This course introduces students to the principles of industrial ecology, focusing on resource efficiency, waste minimization, and circular economy models. Students learn about material flow analysis, industrial symbiosis, and sustainable manufacturing practices. The course includes visits to green industries and case studies of successful industrial ecology implementations.
Water Resource Management
Students explore the sustainable management of water resources including surface and groundwater systems, watershed planning, and pollution control measures. The course covers both theoretical concepts and practical applications through fieldwork and project-based learning.
Sustainable Agriculture Practices
This course examines agricultural methods that enhance productivity while preserving soil health and biodiversity. Students study organic farming techniques, precision agriculture, agroforestry systems, and sustainable livestock management practices. Field visits to farms demonstrate sustainable agricultural practices in action.
Urban Resilience Planning
Students learn how cities can adapt to environmental and social challenges through resilient infrastructure and planning strategies. Topics include disaster risk reduction, climate adaptation, green infrastructure, and community participation in urban development. The course includes simulations of urban resilience planning exercises.
Sustainable Materials Science
This course explores the development and application of sustainable materials including biodegradable polymers, recycled composites, and low-carbon cement alternatives. Students study material properties, processing techniques, and lifecycle assessments. Laboratory experiments provide hands-on experience with sustainable material testing and evaluation.
Environmental Policy Analysis
The course teaches students how to analyze and develop environmental policies at local, national, and international levels. Students learn about regulatory frameworks, policy evaluation methods, and stakeholder engagement strategies. The course includes mock policy-making exercises and analysis of current environmental legislation.
Sustainable Finance and Investment
This course explores the financial mechanisms and investment strategies that support sustainability initiatives. Students study ESG investing, green bonds, carbon markets, and sustainable business models. Practical components include portfolio construction and risk assessment for sustainable investments.
Project-Based Learning Philosophy
The Sustainability program at Anant National University Ahmedabad emphasizes project-based learning as a core pedagogical approach. This philosophy recognizes that real-world sustainability challenges require integrated solutions that combine technical knowledge, policy understanding, and stakeholder engagement.
Mini-projects are assigned throughout the program to reinforce classroom learning and encourage innovation. These projects typically last 4-6 weeks and involve small groups of students working under faculty supervision. Topics range from developing a sustainable community garden plan to designing an energy-efficient building model.
The final-year thesis or capstone project is a significant component of the program, requiring students to undertake an in-depth investigation into a sustainability topic of their choice. Students select projects that align with their interests and career goals, often collaborating with industry partners or research organizations.
Project selection involves a proposal phase where students present their ideas to faculty mentors. Faculty members guide students through the research process, helping them refine their methodologies, access resources, and develop professional communication skills. The final deliverables include written reports, presentations, and sometimes prototypes or policy recommendations.