DEPARTMENT OF GEOGRAPHY
MIDNAPORE COLLEGE
SYLLABUS
FOR
B.A./ B. Sc Course in Geography (Honours & General)
Effective from the Academic Session 2014-15
1
COURSE STRUCTURE UG
General Papers
Semester
I
PAPER
Code
Name of Module
Marks
CIA
GEOG-101
1. FUNDAMENTALS OF
GEOTECTONICS
2. ECONOMIC GEOGRAPHY I
1. FUNDAMENTALS OF
GEOTECTONICS II
2. FUNDAMENTALS OF
GEOMORPHOLOGY
1. HYDROLOGY AND OCEANOGRAPHY
2. POPULATION GEOGRAPHY I
50
10
End
Sem
40
50
10
40
50
10
40
GEOG-302
1. TECHNIQUES IN GEOGRAPHY I
2. TECHNIQUES IN GEOGRAPHY II
50
25
25
GEOG-401
1. CLIMATOLOGY II
2. SOIL GEOGRAPHY
50
10
40
GEOG-402
1. FUNDAMENTALS OF REMOTE
SENSING
2. TECHNIQUES IN GEOGRAPHY VII
50
25
25
I
(Theory)
GEOG-201
II
III
II
(Theory)
III
(Theory)
IV
(Practical)
V
(Theory)
GEOG-301
IV
VI
(Practical)
Theory: 300 marks
End Semester Examination: theory 2 hours
Practical: 100 marks
End Semester Examination: practical 4 hours
Total: 400 marks
Number of periods: at least 6 periods per 10 marks in theory papers.
2
COURSE STRUCTURE UG
Honours Papers
Semester
Paper
Code
Name of Module
Marks
CIA
UGI
I
(Theory)
GEOH-101
50
10
II
(Practical)
GEOH-102
1. FUNDAMENTALS OF
GEOTECTONICS I
2. ECONOMIC GEOGRAPHY I
1. TECHNIQUES IN GEOGRAPHY I
2. TECHNIQUES IN GEOGRAPHY II
End
Sem
40
50
25
25
1.
FUNDAMENTALS OF
GEOTECTONICS II
2. FUNDAMENTALS OF
GEOMORPHOLOGY
1. PROCESS GEOMORPHOLOGY
2. ECONOMIC GEOGRAPHY II
50
10
40
50
10
40
1. TECHNIQUES IN GEOGRAPHY III
2. TECHNIQUES IN GEOGRAPHY
IV
50
25
25
1.
HYDROLOGY AND
OCEANOGRAPHY
2. CLIMATOLOGY i
1. POPULATION GEOGRAPHY I
2. POPULATION GEOGRAPHY II
50
10
40
50
10
40
1. TECHNIQUES IN GEOGRAPHY V
2. TECHNIQUES IN GEOGRAPHY
VI
1. CLIMATOLOGY II
2. SOIL GEOGRAPHY
1. BIOGEOGRAPHY I
2. REGIONAL PLANNING &
DEVELOPMENT
1. FUNDAMENTALS OF REMOTE
SENSING
2. TECHNIQUES IN GEOGRAPHY
VII
50
25
25
50
10
40
50
10
40
50
25
25
UG2
III
(Theory)
IV
(Theory)
UG3
UG4
GEOH-201
GEOH-202
V
(Practical)
GEOH-203
VI
(Theory)
GEOH-301
VII
(Theory)
GEOH-302
VIII
(Practical)
GEOH-303
IX
(Theory)
X
(Theory)
GEOH-401
XI
(Practical)
GEOH-403
GEOH-402
3
Semester
Paper
Code
UG5
XII
(Theory)
GEOH-501
XIII
(Theory)
UG6
GEOH-502
XIV
(Practical)
GEOH-503
XV
(Theory)
GEOH-601
XVI
(Practical)
GEOH-602
Name of Module
Marks
50
Mid
Sem
10
End
Sem
40
1. GEOGRAPHICAL THOUGHT
2. SOCIAL AND CULTURAL
GEOGRAPHY
1. SETTLEMENT GEOGRAPHY
2. POLITICAL GEOGRAPHY
50
10
40
1. STATISTICAL METHODS IN
GEOGRAPHY I
2. TECHNIQUES IN GEOGRAPHY
VIII
1. CONTEMPORARY ISSUES IN
GEOGRAPHY
2. REGIONAL GEOGRAPHY OF
INDIA
1. STATISTICAL METHODS IN
GEOGRAPHY II
2. FIELD REPORT.
50
25
25
50
10
40
50
25
25
Theory: 500 marks
End Semester Examination: theory 2 hours
Practical: 300 marks
End Semester Examination: practical 4 hours
Total: 800 marks
Number of periods: at least 8 periods per 10 marks
Pattern of setting questions in end semester theory papers:
Long answer type questions:
10 marks each (with in 500 words)
Semi long answer type questions:
5 marks each (with in 300 words)
Short answer type questions:
2 marks each (with in 50 words)
Question type
Long
Semi long
Short
Marks
10
5
2
No. of questions to set
4 (Two from each module)
8 (four from each module)
10 (five from each module)
No. of questions to answer
2 (one from each module)
4 (Two from each module)
5 ( at least two from each module)
Pattern of setting questions in end semester practical papers:
Questions to be set as per detailed syllabus for each paper with numbers per item mentioned in
parenthesis. Detail format of theory papers is given separately in the following section.
In all practical paper evaluation to be done as per following guideline:
Each paper: 50 marks
CIA: 25 marks
(8 to 10 classroom experiments, assignments etc of 10 marks each, to be
scaled down to 25 marks)
End Semester:
(50 marks end semester examination of 4 hour duration, to be scaled down
to 25 marks.)
4
The questions for theory papers to be set in the following format
Group A
Long answer type questions
Answer all questions
(Within 500 words)
1.
or
Set two questions from module 1
10 marks
2.
or
Set two questions from module 2
10 marks
Group B
Semi long answer type questions
Answer all questions
(Within 300 words)
3.
Or
Set four questions from module 1
5 marks each
4.
or
5.
Or
6.
Or
Set four questions from module 2
5 marks each
Group C
Short answer type questions
Answer five questions
(Within 50 words)
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
Set ten questions from module 1 & module 2
2 marks each
5
Detail Syllabus
DEPARTMENT OF GEOGRAPHY
SYLLABUS (UG)
Honours. Semester I
Semester Paper&
Code
UGI
Theory
Module
Name of Module
1
FUNDAMENTALS OF GEOTECTONICS I
1. Geological time scale, geological history of the earth.
2. Minerals and rocks: characteristics, classification, impact of
granite, basalt, sandstone, gneiss and schist on landform.
3. Interior structure of the earth.
4. Isostacy: Concept of Airy, Pratt, Hayford and Bowie.
GEOH101
2
Practical
1
ECONOMIC GEOGRAPHY I
1. Scope and content of Economic Geography.
2. Resource: concept, components, classification.
3. Resource utilization: economic and environmental
approach.
4. Resource crisis and management: developed and
developing countries.
5. Sustainable development: concept and principles.
6. Agricultural systems: intensive subsistence, commercial
grain farming, plantation agriculture and mixed farming.
TECHNIQUES IN GEOGRAPHY I
1. Scale: Concepts, Linear, Diagonal and Vernier. (8)
2. Projections: Classifications, Conical (Simple conical with one
standard parallel), Cylindrical (Equal Area), Zenithal
(Gnomonic, Stereographic and Orthographic) (8)
3. Basic weather instruments: Hygrometer, Barometer. (5)
GEOH102
2
TECHNIQUES IN GEOGRAPHY II
1. Megascopic and microscopic identification of rocks and
minerals. (5)
2. Bar Diagram, Pie graph, Proportional Square (manual and
MS Excel) (6+6=12)
3. Projections: Sinusoidal, Mercator, Polyconic. (7)
4. Viva 05
6
Honours. Semester II
Semester Paper&
Code
UG2
Theory
Modul
e
Name of Module
1
FUNDAMENTALS OF GEOTECTONICS II
1. Folds and faults.
2. Geosynclines: concept and types.
3. Continental Drift, Sea floor spreading and Plate tectonics.
4. Origin of Fold Mountains In The Light Of Plate Tectonics.
5. Earthquake and tsunami: causes, impact and management.
6. Volcanoes: causes and types.
2
FUNDAMENTALS OF GEOMORPHOLOGY I
1. Nature, scope and content of geomorphology.
2. Basic concepts in geomorphology.
3. Systematic approach in geomorphology Geomorphological
scale: temporal and spatial.
4. Weathering and mass movement: causes, types and resultant
landforms.
GEOH-201
Theory
1
GEOH-202
2
PROCESS GEOMORPHOLOGY
1. Fluvial process and landforms: types of valley, waterfall and
delta.
2. Karst: sink-holes, cave deposition.
3. Aeolian: zeugen, yardang, sand- dunes and fluvio- aeolian
landforms.
4. Glacial: cirque, moraine and glacio- fluvial landforms.
5. Coastal: cliff and bars.
6. Theories of Land form Evolution; Davis, L. C King, Penck and
Hack.
7. Landform evolution; uniclinal and folded structure.
ECONOMIC GEOGRAPHY II
1. Models of agricultural land use and industrial location: Von
Thunen, Weber, Losch.
2. Processes of development of industrial regions: Haldia,
Bombay- Pune, Delhi-Gaziabad- Gurgaon; SEZ: concept and
significance.
3. Growth of information and communication technology in
India
4. Globalization: definition, characteristics, Impact on industry
with special reference to India.
5. International trade: WTO and economic blocks (EU and
ASEAN)
7
Honours. Semester II
Semester Paper&
Code
UG2
Modul
e
1
GEOH-203
2
Name of Module
TECHNIQUES IN GEOGRAPHY III
1. Interpretation of geological maps: uniclinal and folded. (10)
2. Morphometric analysis of landform from 1:50000
Topographical maps: index system, broad physiographic
divisions, profiles. (5)
3. Relief analysis: absolute relief, relative relief, dissection
index, average slope (Wentworth’s method) (7)
TECHNIQUES IN GEOGRAPHY IV
1. Drainage density and ruggedness Index. (8)
2. Surveying: Concepts, Prismatic Compass, Dumpy level and
contouring, Theodolite (Base accessible, inaccessible)(15)
5. Viva (5)
8
Honours. Semester III
Semester Paper&
code
UG3
Theory
Module
Name of Module
1
HYDROLOGY AND OCEANOGRAPHY
1. Hydrosphere: components and distribution.
2. Global hydrological cycle: components and importance.
3. River basin as a hydrological unit.
4. Aspects of run-off, infiltration and evaporation.
5. Groundwater study: types of aquifers, recharge, flow and
discharge of groundwater.
6. Tides: causes and types.
7. Coral reefs and atolls.
8. Ocean water: salinity, temperature and chemical
composition.
GEOH301
2
Theory
1
GEOH302
2
CLIMATOLOGY I
1. Climatology: definition, scope, content and significance.
2. Elements of weather and climate.
3. Atmosphere: chemical composition and thermal layering.
4. Atmospheric temperature: insolation, heat budget, inversion
of temperature, nature of horizontal and vertical distribution
of temperature.
5. Planetary wind system: Tricelluar model, jet stream and index
cycle.
6. Condensation: processes.
7. Precipitation: forms and mechanism.
8. Indian monsoon: genesis, classification and Impact.
9. Air mass: origin, classification and characteristics.
POPULATION GEOGRAPHY I
1. Definition, scope and content; basic sources of population
data.
2. Measures of population density, distribution of world
population.
3. Sex ratio: concept and determinants, sex ratio in India, ruralurban composition of population.
4. Age composition and its determinants; different types of age
sex pyramid in developed and developing countries.
POPULATION GEOGRAPHY II
1. Growth of world population, concept of over, under and
optimum population.
2. Demographic transition model.
3. Migration: types, consequences with Indian example.
4. Population policy of India and China.
5. Population resource regions.
9
Honours. Semester III
Semester Paper&
code
UG3
Practical
Module
1
Name of Module
TECHNIQUES IN GEOGRAPHY V
1. Identification of watershed on topographical map, stream
ordering (Strahller method), bifurcation ratio. (10)
2. Measurement of soil pH, estimation of N,P,K (5)
3. Preparation of population density map, dot and sphere.
Preparation of age-sex pyramid. (5)
GEOH303
2
TECHNIQUES IN GEOGRAPHY VI
1. Climograph, Hythergraph. (5)
2. Interpretation of Indian Daily Weather Map. (10)
3. Collection of daily rainfall and temperature readings for a
week and preparation of weekly weather report.
*(assignment for internal evaluation 10 marks)
10.
Viva (5)
10
Honours. Semester IV
Semester Paper
UG4
Module
Theory
1
Name of Module
CLIMATOLOGY II
1. Atmospheric disturbances: fronts, origin and
characteristics of tropical and temperate cyclone,
thunderstorms and lightening.
2. Climatic Phenomena: ENSO
3. Ozone depletion and global warming.
4. Weather forecasting: basic elements and methods.
5. World climatic classification: Koppen and Thornthwaite.
6. Climate change: causes and evidences.
GEOH-401
2
Theory
1
GEOH-402
2
SOIL GEOGRAPHY
1. Definition, soil forming factors and processes.
2. Properties of soil: physical (texture, structure, water, air),
chemical (pH and organic matter).
3. Concept of zonal, azonal and intra-zonal soil.
4. Formation of podzol, laterite, chernozem and salinealkaline soil.
5. Principles of Taxonomic soil classification and land
capability classification.
6. Soil erosion: causes and impact; soil conservation:
methods.
BIOGEOGRAPHY
1. Concepts: biosphere, environment, habitat, community,
ecology, ecosystem, biotope, ecotone, ecological niche,
biodiversity hotspot.
2. Energy in ecosystem: Ecological pyramids, food chain, food
web, energy flow in ecosystem (Lindeman model).
3. Factors of plant ecology: light, temperature, moisture and
soil.
4. Biomes: Tropical Rainforest and Temperate Grassland.
5. Principles of nature conservation.
REGIONAL PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT
1. Concept of region and regionalization.
2. Types of region: formal, functional and planning; methods
of delineation.
3. Schemes of regionalization: V. Nath, P. Sengupta.
4. Planning: physical, economic and environmental.
5. Decentralized planning in India with special reference to
Panchayati Raj Institution.
6. Theories of regional development: Growth Pole
(Freedman), and Cumulative Causation (Myrdal)
11
Honours. Semester IV
Semester Paper
Module
UG4
GEOH403
1
Practical
2
Name of Module
FUNDAMENTALS OF REMOTE SENSING AND G.I.S I (20)
1. Definition, principles, elements and types of remote
sensing.
2. Energy source-EMR, energy interaction in atmosphere:
scattering, absorption, energy interaction with earth surface
feature (soil, water, vegetation), radiation laws (StefanBoltzmannn, kirchoff), spectral signature.
3. Satellite: types, sensor, scanner, platforms, censor resolution
types, uses of different satellite censors (IRS series)
4. Concept of digital image, principles of preparing SFCC, visual
image interpretation.
5. GIS: definition, function, components.
6. Data structure: raster, vector, concept of topological vector
data structure, RDBMS.
7. Application of RS and GIS.
FUNDAMENTALS OF REMOTE SENSING AND G.I.S II (20)
1. Change detection using Satellite FCC image and corresponding
topographical map with 1:50000 scale (drainage, Vegetation,
settlement) (10)
2. Land use classification using digital Satellite FCC ( supervised,
unsupervised) (10)
3. Thematic mapping using GIS environment. (10)
Any two out of three
7. 4. viva &lab note book (5+5=10)
12
Honours. Semester V
Semester Paper
UG5
Theory
Module
1
GEOH501
2
Theory
1
Name of Module
GEOGRAPHICAL THOUGHT
1. Definition, scope and content of geography.
2. Concepts of space, location, areal differentiation and spatial
organization.
3. Contribution of Humboldt and Ritter.
4. Concept of Determinism, Possibilism and Neo- determinism.
5. Positivism, quantitative revolution and radicalism in
geography.
6. Approaches to geographical studies: systematic and regional.
SOCIAL AND CULTURAL GEOGRAPHY
1. Definition, nature, scope & content of social and cultural
geography.
2. Social Structure: ethnic and economic; social processes, social
wellbeing, social justice, Social group, social behavior.
3. Culture: concept, innovation, diffusion and convergence;
cultural landscape.
4. Ethnic groups: Santal and Khasi.
5. Major linguistic groups: world and India.
6. Major religions: World and India.
7. Nature of agricultural and urban- Industrial societies.
SETTLEMENT GEOGRAPHY
1. Settlement: definition, evolution, size, site and situation.
2. Rural settlement: type and pattern.
3. Urban settlement: definition, hierarchy- central place theory
of Christaller.
4. Urban functional classification of Harris and Nelson.
GEOH502
2
POLITICAL GEOGRAPHY
1. Nature, scope and content of Political geography.
2. Concepts: state, nation, nation- state.
3. Attributes of states: boundary and frontier.
4. Geostrategic views: concept of Heartland (Mackinder) and
Rimland (Spykeman).
5. Geopolitical view: Housofer.
6. Formation of states in India since independence.
13
Honours. Semester V
Semester Paper&
code
UG5
Practical
Module
1
GEOH503
2
Name of Module
STATISTICAL METHODS IN GEOGRAPHY I (25 marks)
1. Meaning of statistics, variables and attributes.
2. Classification and tabulation of data.
3. Frequency distribution and graphical representation.
4. Measures of central tendency, partition values.
5. Measures of dispersion: range, quartile deviation, mean
deviation, standard deviation, coefficient of variation
(
three questions 10, 8, 7 marks)
TECHNIQUES IN GEOGRAPHY VIII (20 marks)
1. Hypsometric curve from topographical map.
2. Hydrograph and rating curve.
3. Transport network analysis: shortest path.
4. Traffic flow diagram.
5. Crop combination (Weaver) and cropping intensity mapping.
6. Nearest neighbour analysis. (any three questions to set 10,
5, 5 marks)
11.
Viva 5
14
Honours. Semester VI
Semester Paper
Module
UG6
1
GEOH601
2
GEOH602
1
2
Name of Module
CONTEMPORARY ISSUES IN GEOGRAPHY
1. Riverbank erosion in South Bengal.
2. Integrated Watershed Development Programme in India.
3. Economic development and environmental degradation.
4. Interstate water dispute in India (Nature of dispute & one
case study).
5. Poverty and Crime: Nature and spatiality with special
reference to India.
REGIONAL GEOGRAPHY OF INDIA
1. Relief and structure with special reference to the Himalaya.
2. Drainage system: evolution and characteristics of peninsular
region.
3. Climatic classification of India and characteristics of desert
climate.
4. Classification of soil in India and characteristics of soil in
Deccan Trap region.
5. Industrial policy 1991 and Agricultural policy of India
6. Micro regions: Darjeeling as a tourist region and Sundarban as
biotic region.
STATISTICAL METHODS IN GEOGRAPHY II
1. Bivariate analysis: correlation and regression scatter diagram.
2. Vital statistics: birth rate, death rate, natural growth rate, age
specific fertility rate and total fertility rate, age specific death
rate.
3. Measures of inequality: Lorenz curve and Ginni coefficient,
location quotient.
4. Matrix and determinants ( three questions 10, 8, 7 marks)
FIELD REPORT
Study of physical and socioeconomic aspects and preparation of
field report. 20 marks
Viva: 5
15
Field report in paper GEOG 602 (module 2) will be prepared as per following guidelines:
1. One mouza (Rural /Urban) is to be selected and the followings are to be done:
b) Collection of socio-economic and physical data
c) Classification and tabulation of data.
d) Preparation of map on cadastral plan (Depending on Objectives).
e) Preparation of maps and diagrams showing physiography, drainage, soil, forest, settlement, irrigation,
cropping pattern, demographic characteristics etc.
f) Correlation and analysis of data, maps, and diagram.
2. Report is to be prepared under the following sections:
a) Introduction: Objective, extent and space relations, sources of information, methodology etc.
b) Physical components: Lithology, drainage, surface condition, slope, Climate, soil vegetation, etc.
c) Population: Number, sex ratio, literacy, occupational structure, ethnic and religious composition, language,
mobility, media exposure, per capita income etc.
d) Settlement: Number of houses, building materials, number and size of rooms, amenities etc.
e) Agriculture: Soil properties, irrigational facilities, general landuse, cropping intensity, crop-combination, use
of fertiliser, production and marketing etc.
f) Other economic activities: Fishing, horticulture, brick-making industries.
g) Problems, prospects, suggestions and conclusion.
h) Bibliography.
3. Field report is to be hand-written (English).
4. Text of the report should not exceed 5,000 words.
5. Maps and diagrams excluding photo-plates should not exceed 20 A4- size pages (Diagrams may be drawn in
MS-Excel).
16
General. Semester I
Semester
UGI
PAPER
Theory
Module
1
GEOG101
2
Name of Module
FUNDAMENTALS OF GEOTECTONICS
1. Geological time scale, geological history of the earth.
2. Interior structure of the earth.
3. Origin and classification of rocks.
4. Folds and faults
5. Continental drift: evidence and mechanisms
6. Plate tectonics
ECONOMIC & POPULATION GEOGRAPHY
1. Resource: Concept, components, Classification
2. Agricultural systems: intensive subsistence, commercial grain
farming, Plantation Agriculture, Mixed farming.
3. Major Industries of India: iron and steel, Cotton textile;
4. sources of population data;
5. Measures of population density, distribution of world
population;
6. Sex ratio: concept, determinants, sex ratio in India.
7. Age composition, its determinants, and Different types of age
sex pyramid in developed and developed countries.
General. Semester II
Semester
UG2
PAPER
Module
1
GEOG201
2
Name of Module
FUNDAMENTALS OF GEOMORPHOLOGY
1. Weathering: processes and land form
2. Evolution of landforms under fluvial, glacial, Aeolian and
marine processes.
3. Concept of landform evolution: Davis and Penck
CLIMATOLOGY & HYDROLOGY
1. elements of weather and climate, thermal and chemical
composition if atmosphere
2. forms and processes of condensation, mechanism of
precipitation
3. composition and distribution of hydrosphere, Global
hydrological cycle
4. ocean currents and tides
17
General. Semester III
Semester
UG3
PAPER
Module
Theory
1
GEOG-301
2
Practical
1
GEOG-302
2
Name of Module
SOCIAL & CULTURAL GEOGRAPHY
1. Scope and content of social & cultural geography.
2. Concept of social process, social well being
3. Major ethnic groups of India: Santhal and Bhils
4. Concept of culture and its components
5. Types and patterns of rural settlement
6. Functional classification towns.
SOIL GEOGRAPHY
1. Definition of soil, factors & processes of soil formation, soil
types: zonal, intrazonal, azonal.
2. Physical and chemical properties of soil: texture, structure,
water, colour, pH & organic matter
3. Podzolization and laterization
4. Soil degradation, methods of soil conservation
TECHNIQUES IN GEOGRAPHY I
1. Linear, comparative and diagonal scale. (10)
2. Pie diagrams, proportional square. Bar diagrams: simple,
comparative, composite, age-sex pyramid, Taylors
climograph(10)
TECHNIQUES IN GEOGRAPHY II
1. Isopleth method: mapping elevation zones, population
density (choropleth), population distribution (dot & sphere)
maps(10)
2. Open and closed traverse survey by prismatic compass (15)
3. Viva (5)
18
General. Semester IV
Semester
UG4
PAPER
Theory
Module
1
GEOG-401
2
Practical
1
GEOG-402
2
Name of Module
BIOGEOGRAPHY
1. Definition of biosphere, biogeography, ecology,
ecosystem, environment, ecotone, community, habitat
and biotope
2. Foodchain, foodweb and energy flow in ecosystem;
3. Biomes: rainforest and temperate grasslands
4. Principles of nature conservation
GEOGRAPHICAL THOUGHTS
1. Definitions, scope and content of geography
2. Contribution of Humboldt and Ritter in Geography
3. Concepts of Location, areal differentiation, space
4. Concepts of determinism and possibilism
TECHNIQUES IN GEOGRAPHY III
1. Map projection: simple conical with one standard parallel,
cylindrical equal area projection, Polar zenithal
stereographic projection. (15)
2. Preparation of socio-economic survey schedule (5)
TECHNIQUES IN GEOGRAPHY IV
1. Interpretation of physiographic aspects from topographical
maps (1:50000) of plateau region; Interpretation of
drainage and natural vegetation from topographical maps
(1:50000) of plateau region (10)
2. Interpretation of settlement and communication from
topographical maps (1:50000) of plateau region,
Preparation of transect chart (10)
3. Hygrometer and barometer reading (5)
4. Viva 5
19