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DEPARTMENT OF GEOGRAPHY

MIDNAPORE COLLEGE

SYLLABUS

FOR

B.A./ B. Sc Course in Geography (Honours & General)

Effective from the Academic Session 2014-15

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COURSE STRUCTURE UG

General Papers

Semester PAPER Code Name of Module Marks CIA End Sem

I

I (Theory)

GEOG-101 1. FUNDAMENTALS OF GEOTECTONICS

2. ECONOMIC GEOGRAPHY I

50 10 40

II

II (Theory)

GEOG-201 1. FUNDAMENTALS OF GEOTECTONICS II

2. FUNDAMENTALS OF GEOMORPHOLOGY

50 10 40

III

III (Theory)

GEOG-301 1. HYDROLOGY AND OCEANOGRAPHY 2. POPULATION GEOGRAPHY I

50 10 40

IV (Practical)

GEOG-302 1. TECHNIQUES IN GEOGRAPHY I 2. TECHNIQUES IN GEOGRAPHY II

50 25 25

IV

V (Theory)

GEOG-401 1. CLIMATOLOGY II 2. SOIL GEOGRAPHY

50 10 40

VI (Practical)

GEOG-402 1. FUNDAMENTALS OF REMOTE SENSING

2. TECHNIQUES IN GEOGRAPHY VII

50 25 25

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.

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COURSE STRUCTURE UG

Honours Papers

Semester Paper Code Name of Module Marks CIA End Sem

UGI I (Theory)

GEOH-101 1. FUNDAMENTALS OF GEOTECTONICS I

2. ECONOMIC GEOGRAPHY I

50 10 40

II (Practical)

GEOH-102 1. TECHNIQUES IN GEOGRAPHY I 2. TECHNIQUES IN GEOGRAPHY II

50 25 25

UG2

III (Theory)

GEOH-201

1. FUNDAMENTALS OF GEOTECTONICS II

2. FUNDAMENTALS OF GEOMORPHOLOGY

50 10 40

IV (Theory)

GEOH-202 1. PROCESS GEOMORPHOLOGY 2. ECONOMIC GEOGRAPHY II

50 10 40

V (Practical)

GEOH-203

1. TECHNIQUES IN GEOGRAPHY III 2. TECHNIQUES IN GEOGRAPHY

IV

50 25 25

UG3 VI (Theory)

GEOH-301

1. HYDROLOGY AND OCEANOGRAPHY

2. CLIMATOLOGY i

50 10 40

VII (Theory)

GEOH-302 1. POPULATION GEOGRAPHY I 2. POPULATION GEOGRAPHY II

50 10 40

VIII (Practical)

GEOH-303 1. TECHNIQUES IN GEOGRAPHY V 2. TECHNIQUES IN GEOGRAPHY

VI

50 25 25

UG4 IX (Theory)

GEOH-401 1. CLIMATOLOGY II 2. SOIL GEOGRAPHY

50 10 40

X (Theory)

GEOH-402 1. BIOGEOGRAPHY I 2. REGIONAL PLANNING &

DEVELOPMENT

50

10

40

XI (Practical)

GEOH-403 1. FUNDAMENTALS OF REMOTE SENSING

2. TECHNIQUES IN GEOGRAPHY VII

50 25 25

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Semester Paper Code Name of Module Marks Mid Sem

End Sem

UG5 XII (Theory)

GEOH-501

1. GEOGRAPHICAL THOUGHT 2. SOCIAL AND CULTURAL

GEOGRAPHY

50 10 40

XIII (Theory)

GEOH-502 1. SETTLEMENT GEOGRAPHY 2. POLITICAL GEOGRAPHY

50 10 40

XIV (Practical)

GEOH-503

1. STATISTICAL METHODS IN GEOGRAPHY I

2. TECHNIQUES IN GEOGRAPHY VIII

50 25 25

UG6 XV (Theory)

GEOH-601

1. CONTEMPORARY ISSUES IN GEOGRAPHY

2. REGIONAL GEOGRAPHY OF INDIA

50 10 40

XVI (Practical)

GEOH-602

1. STATISTICAL METHODS IN GEOGRAPHY II

2. FIELD REPORT.

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 Marks No. of questions to set No. of questions to answer

Long 10 4 (Two from each module) 2 (one from each module)

Semi long 5 8 (four from each module) 4 (Two from each module)

Short 2 10 (five 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.)

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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. Set two questions from module 1 10 marks or

2. Set two questions from module 2 10 marks or

Group B Semi long answer type questions

Answer all questions (Within 300 words)

3. Set four questions from module 1 5 marks each Or 4. or

5. Set four questions from module 2 5 marks each Or 6. Or

Group C Short answer type questions

Answer five questions (Within 50 words)

7. 8. Set ten questions from module 1 & module 2 2 marks each 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16.

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Detail Syllabus DEPARTMENT OF GEOGRAPHY

SYLLABUS (UG) Honours. Semester I

Semester Paper& Code

Module Name of Module

UGI

Theory

GEOH101

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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.

2

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.

Practical

GEOH102

1

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)

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

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Honours. Semester II

Semester Paper& Code

Module

Name of Module

UG2

Theory

GEOH-201

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.

Theory

GEOH-202

1

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.

2

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)

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Honours. Semester II

Semester Paper& Code

Module

Name of Module

UG2

GEOH-203

1

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)

2

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)

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Honours. Semester III

Semester Paper& code

Module Name of Module

UG3 Theory

GEOH301

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.

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.

Theory

GEOH302

1

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, rural-

urban composition of population. 4. Age composition and its determinants; different types of age

sex pyramid in developed and developing countries.

2

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.

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Honours. Semester III

Semester Paper& code

Module Name of Module

UG3 Practical

GEOH303

1

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)

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)

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Honours. Semester IV

Semester Paper Module Name of Module

UG4 Theory GEOH-401

1

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.

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 saline-

alkaline soil. 5. Principles of Taxonomic soil classification and land

capability classification. 6. Soil erosion: causes and impact; soil conservation:

methods.

Theory

GEOH-402

1

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.

2

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)

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Honours. Semester IV

Semester Paper Module Name of Module

UG4

GEOH-403 Practical

1

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 (Stefan-Boltzmannn, 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.

2

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)

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Honours. Semester V

Semester Paper Module Name of Module

UG5

Theory

GEOH501

1

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.

2

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.

Theory GEOH502

1

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.

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.

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Honours. Semester V

Semester Paper& code

Module Name of Module

UG5 Practical

GEOH503

1

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)

2

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

15

Honours. Semester VI

Semester Paper Module Name of Module

UG6

GEOH601

1

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.

2

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.

GEOH602

1

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)

2

FIELD REPORT Study of physical and socioeconomic aspects and preparation of field report. 20 marks Viva: 5

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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).

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General. Semester I

Semester PAPER Module Name of Module

UGI Theory GEOG-101

1

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

2

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 PAPER Module Name of Module

UG2

GEOG-201

1

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

2

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

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General. Semester III

Semester PAPER Module Name of Module

UG3

Theory

GEOG-301

1

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.

2

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

Practical GEOG-302

1

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)

2

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)

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General. Semester IV

Semester PAPER Module Name of Module

UG4 Theory

GEOG-401

1

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

2

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

Practical

GEOG-402

1

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)

2

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