Course Title: Quantitative Techniques - 1

Course No.:NRS 111

Course title: Quantitative techniques - 1

Number of credits:4 (3-1-0)

No. of lectures-tutorial-practical:42-14-0

Course coordinator:Dr Nilanjan Ghosh

Course outline

The course is designed to serve as a foundation course in order to meet the requirement of mathematical knowledge in various subsequent courses offered in the master’s degree program of Environmental Studies and Natural Resource Management.

Evaluation procedure

Tutorials/assignment: 10%
2 minor tests: 40%
1 major test (end semester): 50%

Details of course content and allotted time

No / Topic / Allotted time (hours)
Lectures / Tutorials / Practical
1. / Statistics
Introduction, role of statistics in learning and decision makings / 1
Types of data: primary and secondary data / ½
Data reliability different sources of primary and secondary data collection / ½
2. / Summarizationof data
Graphical representation of data using different methods / 2 / 1
Frequency distribution, histogram, frequency curve, frequency polygon cumulative frequency curves and their interpretations. / 2
Measures of center tendency/positioning; mean for ungrouped and grouped data, weighted mean, geometric mean, harmonic mean, median, and mode and their properties and comparison / 1 / 1
Measures of dispersion: dispersion, range, variance, standard deviation, coefficient of variance, quartile and percentile values, skew ness and related properties / 2 / 2
3. / Probability
Concepts, meaning, different methods for calculating, laws of addition and multiplication of probability, independent events joint probability and marginal probability, probability of compound events / 3 / 1
Conditional probability, Bayes theorem, Concept of random variable, discrete and continuous random variables, expected value, variance / 1 / 2
4. / Probability Distributions
Binomial distribution, Poisson and normal distribution and Applications / 2
5. / Sampling theory & Distributions
Types of sampling, sampling techniques, introduction to sampling distributions, standard error / 2
Sampling from normal distributions, sampling distribution of mean, t-distribution, chi–squared distribution and F - distribution, central limit theorem / 2 / 1
6. / Sets
Sets and their representation
Finite and Infinite Sets
Empty Sets, Equal Sets, Subsets, Power Sets, Universal Sets, Venn Diagrams, Complements of a set, Operations and Applications of Sets / 2
7. / Relations and Functions
Ordered Pairs, Cartesian Product of Sets, Relations, domain, co-domain and range, Functio24ns – into and onto, Constant function, identity function, Composition of functions, Invertible functions, Binary operations / 3 / 1
8. / Logarithms
Meaning of logarithm to a base a, Laws of logarithms, characteristic and mantissa, antilogarithms, tables, applications / 2 / 1
9. / Complex Numbers
Representation of Complex numbers in rectangular and polar coordinates, graphical representation, Algebra of complex numbers / 2 / 1
10. / Linear equations
Graphical representation, solution of linear equations in one and two variables / 2
11. / Quadratic Equations
Solution of quadratic equations, relation between roots and coefficients, nature of roots, formation of quadratic equations with given roots, symmetric functions of roots, equations reducible to quadratic equations / 3 / 1
12. / Functions, Limits and Continuity
Concept of a real function, Domain and Range, Types of functions and their graphs, Fundamental theorem of limits and proofs of standard limits, Limit at infinity and infinite limits, continuity of a function (i) at a point (ii) over an open/closed interval, sum, product and quotient of continuous functions, continuity of special functions / 9 / 2
Total / 42 / 14

Textbooks

Mathematical Statistics by Freund and Walpole.
Biostatistical Analysis by Jerrold. H. Zar, Prentice Hall of India.
Regression Analysis by Draper and Smith.
Sampling Methods by M.N. Murthy.

Suggested readings

Statistics with Application in Biology and Geology by Preben Blaesild and Jorgen Granfeldt, Chapman and Hall.
Statistical Methods in Bioinformatics by Warren J. Ewens, Gregory R. Grant, Springer.

Course No.: NRS 145

Course title: Integrated Impact Assessment

Number of credits: 4 (3-1-0)

Number of lectures-tutorial-practical:42-14-0

Course coordinator: Dr. Arabinda Mishra

Course outline

There is growing realization that the multi-dimensional nature of sustainable development targets requires the use of different disciplinary approaches, in an integrated framework, to the impact assessment of development projects/programmes. Integrated Impact Assessment (IIA) provides such a framework for a balanced consideration of the economic, environmental, social and health impacts of development interventions at the project, sector and economy levels. The course in Integrated Impact Assessment (IIA) is designed to build detailed knowledge, understanding and skills among students for conducting IIA, so that they are able to identify sustainable modes of environmental operation. The course starts with an overview of IIA – the different methodologies on which it draws, the state of the art, current practices, constraints and future directions. This is followed by in-depth exposure to the key approaches to IIA - environmental, social and health – with a focus on methodology and tools in the key discipline areas. Social CBA is introduced as a possible tool for the integrated analysis of the environmental, social and health impacts of development projects or programmes. AHP is introduced as an easily understood multiple-criteria decision-making technique. Technology assessment, risk assessment, etc are discussed at the conceptual level to provide students with a flavour of the emerging dimensions of IIA. The final module of the course is intended to strengthen students’ analytical capacity and assessment skills by making them work through actual/simulated scenarios.

Evaluation procedure

Minor tests: 30%
Assignments: 20%
Final examination: 50%

Details of course content & allotted time

Topic / Allotted time (hours)
Lectures / Tutorials / Practicals
Introduction & an Overview of IIA / 3 / - / -
Defining IIA; Sustainable Development challenges and need for IIA / 1
Key Approaches of IIA: Environment, Social Health and Economic / 1
Current Practices, Changing Perspectives & Debate in IIA / 1
Assessing Environmental Impacts (1): the EIA Approach / 6 / - / -
Environmental Impacts – examples, need for assessment, difficulties; The EIA Approach – Background, Objectives, Components & Techniques, Impact prediction & analysis, Treatment of Risk and Uncertainty, EIA inputs to the project cycle and development planning / 4 / 1
EIA in India – Legislative aspects, Current practices & Constraints / 1
EIA case study / 1 / 1
Assessing Environmental Impacts (2): Biodiversity Impact Assessment (BIA)
Role of BIA in the existing EIA process, Identification, prediction and evaluation of impacts on biodiversity, techniques of biodiversity impact assessment and monitoring, threat reduction methods
Case study
Incorporating Health Concerns: the HIA Approach / 7 / - / -
Impact of environment on health, Morbidity Pattern in India / 2
Developing framework for HIA Analysis, Changing concept and approach in Health Impact Assessment / 1
Health Need Assessment, tools and techniques in HIA / 3
HIA Case Study / 1 / 1
Handling Social Issues: the SIA Approach / 7 / - / -
Overview and scope of Social Impact Assessment (SIA) / 1
SIA and community, marginalized/vulnerable groups, indigenous people, resettlement & rehabilitation and development / 2
SIA and Gender Impact Assessment / 2
SIA and NRM / 2
SIA Case Studies / 2
Integrated Analysis of Environmental, Social & Health Impacts / 7 / - / -
Challenges for IIA: Removing inconsistencies and differences between different approaches; other methodological and practical issues / 1
Scope for integrated approach in economic analysis: concept of economic analysis, Cost-Benefit Analysis (CBA), Social CBA, Cost Effectiveness Analysis (CEA) / 3 / 2
The Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) based approach to project appraisal / 3 / 1
Mapping Tools and Techniques in IIA / 4 / 0 / 0
Role and relevance of GIS Techniques in IIA / 4
Public Participation in IIA and its relevance to decision-making / 1 / 0 / 0
Contribution of IIA to decision-making – prospects & constraints; Stakeholder participation in IIA – importance, methodological and practical issues / 1
Emerging Dimensions & Future Directions / 1 / 0 / 0
Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA), Technology Assessment, Risk Assessment / 2
IIA Case Studies / 3 / 3 / 0
Case Study 1 / 1 / 1
Case Study 2 / 1 / 1
Case Study 3 / 1 / 1
Total / 42 / 14

Suggested readings

1.Canter, L.W. 1996. Environmental Impact Assessment. 2nd Edn. New York, McGrawHill.

2.Asian Development Bank 1997. Environmental impact assessment for developing countries in Asia, Vol I & II. ADB Publication

3.Lee, N. and C. Kirkpatrick (Eds). 2000. Integrated Appraisal and Sustainable Development in a Developing World. Cheltenham, Edward Elgar.

4.British Medical Association 1998. Health and Environmental Impact Assessment- an integrated approach. Earthscan

5.Vanclay F and Bronstein D A 1995. Environmental and Social Impact assessment,

Wiley publishers.

6.Linkage methods for environment and health analysis – General guidelines. Edited by D Briggs, C. Corvalan, M. Nurminen, World Health Organization, Geneva, 1996. 136 p

7.Handbook of Environmental Impact Assessment. R.R. Bathwal. New Age, international Publishers.

8.Dale, R. 2004. Evaluating Development Programme and Project, Second Edition, Sage Publication.

Course No.: PPM 113

Course title:Operations Research and Management

Number of credits:3-1-0

Number of lectures-tutorial practicals:42-14-0

Course coordinator:Dr Ram Karan Singh

Course outline

The operation research and management course is a 4-credit course specially designed for MBA Infrastructure students. The course as a whole deals with two parts. The first part is designed to give the idea on operation research topics, problem formulation for real life situations, solutions and interpretations, latest software’s application and real life problem solutions are the inbuilt features of each topics. The second part deals with introduction to project management and basics tools used in its analysis, real life project management problems will be discussed to demonstrate the applications of these tools along with the latest software and models used to solve such problems.

Evaluation procedure

Tutorials/assignment 20%
2 minor tests 30%
1 major test (end semester) 50%

Details of course content and allotted time

Sr. No. / Topic / Allotted time (hours)
Lectures / Tutorials / Practicals
Part-I / 25 / 10
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6. / Introduction to Operation Research and Linear Programming Problems
Linear Programming Problem Formulations in real life situations
LP graphical solutions, sensitivity analysis and Computer solutions
Simplex algorithms and its applications in LP solutions
Duality and sensitivity analysis, economic interpretation, sensitivity analysis, applications and interpretations, Introduction to Quadratic Programming
Transportation and assignment problems / 2
4
5
5
5
3 / --
3
2
3
1
1
Part-II / 15 / 5
1.
2.
3.
4.
5. / Introduction to project management
Network definition, PERT and CPM model and analysis
Grant Chart, time and cost models, project management software
Probabilistic and uncertainty analysis
Resource constraints and milestone management / 2
5
3
3
2 / 1
2
1
1
-
Total / 42 / 14

Suggested readings

H.A.Taha, “Operation Research: An Introduction”, Fifth Indian Reprint 2005, Pearson Prentice Hall, New Delhi.

Bazara, M., et.al.; “Linear Programming and Network Flow”, 2nd ed., Wiley, New York, 1990.

Dantzig, G, ‘Linear Programming and Extensions, PrincetonUniversity Press, Princeton, NJ, 1963.

Course No.: PPM 181

Course title:Management functions and OrganisationalBehaviour

Number of credits:4-0-0

Number of lectures-tutorial practicals:43-13-0

Course coordinator:Ms Avantika Singh

Course outline

The course provides inputs to the participants on management functions in organisations, individual and group behaviour, and organisational structure and dynamics. The objective of the course is to enable participants to understand concepts and develop skills in management functions and organisational behaviour, apply strategies in an organisational context to become effective managers, and successfully manage human relations to achieve organisational objectives. The course consists of three modules. Module I focuses on management functions, module II on micro organisational behaviour and module III on macro organisational behaviour.

The prime responsibility of managers is to get things done through people in an organisational set-up. Therefore it is important for would-be managers to become familiar with the essential functions of management. Module I focuses on the basic principles and concepts of management functions in organisations, and their linkage with effectiveness and efficiency.

In the course, behavioural processes in organisations are dealt with at three levels – individual, group and organisational level. In addition to text, teaching material and cases, module II consists of a number of research-based tools to enable participants build skills through self-assessment exercises. Understanding the organisational context is important for understanding employee behaviour. Module III on macro organisational behaviour takes a management-oriented exploration of organizational theory and the intricacies of organizational structure, design and applications. The modules draw upon key insights from various disciplines such as psychology, sociology, social psychology, political science, organisation theory and management. The approach is practice-oriented which will enable participants to acquire certain skills and apply them in real-world managerial context.

Evaluation procedure

(Percentage of marks to be allotted to each type of test/ activity)

Surprise quizzes30%
End term examination 40%
Assignment and presentation30%

Details of course contents and allotted time

Sr. No. / Topic / Allotted time (hours)
Lecture / Tutorial
Introduction to the Course
Participants’ Expectations / 1
1

Module I: Management Functions

Sub-module 1: Introduction to Management Thought

Evolution of management thought
Taylor’s scientific management
Fayol’s 14 principles
Hawthorne experiments
Management thinkers

/ 1
1
2
Sub-module 2: Management Environment and Decision Making

Management environment
Decision making in organisations

/ 1
1
2
Sub-module 2: Management Functions

Planning
Organising
Staffing
Directing
Coordinating
Controlling

/ 1
1
1
1
1
1
6

5. Sub-module 3: Management and Society

Ethics in management
Corporate social responsibility

/ 1
1
2

Module II: Micro Organisational Behaviour

Sub-module 1: Introduction to Micro Organisational Behaviour / 1
1

Sub-module 2: Individual Behaviour

Perceptual processes
Learning processes
Values, attitudes, job satisfaction
Personality
Emotional quotient
Motivation

/ 1
1
1
1
1
2
7

7. Sub-module 3: Group Behaviour

Group dynamics
Team-building
Communication in organisations
Leadership and Trust
Power and politics in organisations
Conflict management
Negotiation

/ 1
1
1
1
1
2
1
8

8. Sub-module 4: Organisational Dynamics

Management of change
Organisation Development (OD)
Stress management

/ 1
1
1
3

Module III: Macro Organisational Behaviour

9. Sub-module 1: Introduction to Macro Organisational Behaviour

Organisation theory
Dimensions of organisational structure

/ 1
1
2

10. Sub-module 2: Determinants of Organisational Structure

Strategy
Size
Technology
Environment
Power

/ 1
1
1
1
1
5

11. Sub-module 3: Organisational Design

Organisational design options
Choosing the right structural form

/ 1
1
2

12.

Sub-module 4: Applications

Organisational culture
Organisational evolution and organisational learning

/ 1
1
2

Presentations by participants

/ 13

Total

/ 43 / 13

Text books

Module I:

Koontz, Harold and Heinz Weihrich, 2004, Essentials of Management, 6th ed., New Delhi: Tata McGraw-Hill.

Module II:

Robbins, Stephen P., Organizational Behavior, 11th ed., New Delhi: Prentice Hall.

Module III:

Robbins, Stephen P., Organization Theory: Structure, Design And Applications, 3rd ed., New Delhi: Prentice Hall.

Suggested readings

Conor, Vibert, Theories of Macro Organizational Behavior: A Handbook of Ideas and Explanations,New Delhi: Prentice Hall

Daft, Richard L., 8th ed., Organization Theory and Design. Thomson.

Hall, Richard, 2005, Organizations: Structures, Processes and Outcomes. New Delhi: Prentice Hall.

Hellriegel, D., J.W. Sloccum and Woodman, 2001, Organizational Behavior.

Hersey, Paul, Kenneth H. Blanchard, and Dewey E. Johnson, Management Of Organizational Behavior Leading Human Resources, 8th ed., New Delhi: Prentice Hall.

Khandwalla, Pradip N., 1992, Organisational Designs for Excellence, New DelhiTata McGraw-Hill.

Koontz, Harold, Principles of Management (ASCENT Series), New Delhi: Tata McGraw-Hill.

Luthans, Fred, Organizational Behavior, McGraw Hill.

Newstrom, John W, and Keith Davis, Organizational Behavior – Human Behavior at Work, New Delhi: Tata McGraw-Hill.

Pareek, Udai, T.V. Rao and D.M. Pestonjee, 1981, Behavioural Processes in Organisations, New Delhi: Oxford and IBH Publishing.

Scott, W. Richard 2003, Organizations: Rational, Natural, and Open Systems, 5th ed. Prentice Hall.

Sekaran, Uma, 2004, Organisational Behaviour: Text and Cases, 2nd ed., New Delhi: Tata McGraw Hill.

Senge, Peter M., 1998, The Fifth Discipline: The Art and Practice of Learning Organization, London: Random House.

Shukla, Madhukar, 1996, Understanding Organisations, New Delhi: Prentice Hall of India.

Thornhill, Adrian, Mike Millmore, Mark Saunders and Phil Lewis, 2000, Managing Change, New Delhi: Pearson Education.

Course No.: PPM 151

Course title:Infrastructure Policies, Reforms, and Law

Number of credits:4 (3-1-0)

Number of lectures-tutorial practicals:42-14-0

Course coordinator:Mr M P Ram Mohan

Course outline

This course will cover important infrastructure sectors and provide an overview of the current status of the different sectors, the reforms, including regulatory reforms, initiated to attract investment, to improve efficiencies, to rationalise tariff and to enhance consumer welfare, and the issues that remain unresolved. The course will also provide an overview of the sector specific legislation, the Constitutional and general legal context in which sector laws operate and of the regulatory law, where it exists.

The course will comprise of both background teaching on the range of policy and regulatory approaches and case studies. The course also provides a comparative picture of infrastructure reforms in South Asian countries and in some select countries in Latin America and U.K.

Evaluation procedure

Class discussions5%
Tutorials/assignments15%
2 Minor tests30% (15% each)
1 Major test (end semester)50%

Details of course content and allotted time

Sr. No. / Topics / Allotted time (Hours)
Lecture / Tutorials
1. / Legal and Policy Aspects / 4
Constitutional aspects
Constitutional law-allocation of jurisdiction over different infrastructure sectors between the Centre and State - law making powers
Policy Formulation
Role of Centre and State in policy formulation– Central funding of infrastructure projects- Central oversight and interface
Private Participation
Investment requirements-non ideological factors leading to commercialisation and privatisation of infrastructure- from socialism to market driven economy-legal framework for private sector participation- modes of Public Private Partnership (PPP)
Dispute ResolutionSettlements through the courts and Alternate Dispute Resolution (ADR)- the judiciary-Alternative Dispute Resolution- the Indian Arbitration and Conciliation Act 1996-Cases / 1
1
1
1
2. /

General legal context of infrastructure business

/ 8 / 2
Overview
Contract law, property Law and Company Law
Competition Act 2002
MRTP Act- history - Competition Act 2002- prohibited agreements (cartels - abuse of dominance- mergers and acquisition- competition in a network industry - Competition Commission
Environmental Aspects
General Framework on environmental regulation and guidelines- judicial activism in environmental regulation and projects- Environmental Impact Assessment-Case Studies / 4
2
2 / 1
1
3 / Independent regulation: New Mechanism of Governance in infrastructure / 6 / 2
Theories of regulation-genesis of Independent regulation-evolution of regulation in different jurisdictions- Design and structure of regulators-scope and functions-regulatory process-and regulatory autonomy and accountability-regulatory predictability and certainty
Comparative Regulatory Law- Developments in South Asia- EU and US / 3
3 / 1
1
4 / Infrastructure Sectoral polices, reforms, and laws / 20 / 8
Power Sector/Electricity
Introduction-evolution of the power sector reforms, polices-National Electricity policy- new legal framework- the state electricity boards- licensing framework- Provisions Relating to and working of Electricity Regulatory Commissions-their structure, role and functions
Telecommunications
The national telecom policies-the legal framework- regulatory agencies-functioning, power and functions of TRAI and TDSAT
Oil, Petroleum and Natural Gas
Reforms, policies and legal framework -New Exploration Licensing Policy (NELP)- production sharing contracts- the new Petroleum Regulatory and Natural Gas Board Act – the emerging regulatory reforms
Water
Water policy and General Legal framework and reforms-Water rights- state jurisdiction- new regulatory reforms in water sector- Case studies
Transport
Law, policy and reforms relating to Airports-Railways-Road –Port/TAMP and an overview of coastal shipping and Inland Water Transport policy / 4
4
3
3
6 / 2
2
1
2
1
5 / Critique of Regulatory law and processes / 4 / 3
Relationship with the executive-legislature and judiciary-Relationship between regulators- potential for conflict of jurisdiction - cooperation amongst agencies –International best practices-Multi sector regulator
Ensuring universal service obligation-targeting subsidies-reducing losses-rationalising tariff
Competition in infrastructure-role of the sector regulator in introducing competition in net work industries – sector regulator and competition authority / 2
1
1 / 1
1
1

Suggested readings