IIS University - International College for Girls - ICG Courses

M.Sc. (Geography)

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Duration: 2 Years

Eligibility: Graduation and Equivalent

Course Structure

Course Code	Course Title
Semester - I
Geo-121	Physical Basis of Geography
Geo-122	Climatology and Oceanography
Geo-123	Economic Geography
Geo-124	Human Geography
Geo- 125	Practical (Quantitative Techniques and Cartographic Methods)
Geo- 126	Seminar
Semester - II
Geo-221	Geography of India
Geo-222	Evolution of Modern Geographical Thought
Geo-223	Urban Geography
Geo- 224	Research methodology
Geo -225	Practical (Statistical Techniques and Introduction to Remote Sensing and GIS
Geo -226	Seminar
Semester - III
Geo-321	Geomorphology and Hydrology
Geo-322	Ecology and environment
Geo-323A/B.	Optional paper Industrial Geography / Ecotourism Studies
Geo- 324	Visit to mapping Institutes and Data Analysis and Report Writing(Dissertation)
Geo- 325	Practical (Advance Cartographic Methods and Projections)
Geo-326	Seminar(Application of research methodology based on socio economic survey)
Semester - IV
Geo-421	Agriculture Geography
Geo-422	Regional Development and Planning
Geo-423 A./B.	Optional paper Remote Sensing and GIS / Population and Rural settlement.
Geo- 424	Advance Statistical Techniques and Remote Sensing and Image Interpretation
Geo- 425	Dissertation based on training programme.
Geo-426	Seminar

 

Course Syllabus

Semester-I

Geo-121  Physical Basis of Geography

Unit-I

Introduction to physical geography, definition, resent trends in physical geography, models and systems in Physical Geography. Earth Measurements, Size and Shape, Radius, Circumference, Latitude and Parallels, Longitudes & Meridians, Concept of Local Time, &Standard Time, Time Zone & International Date Line.

Unit-II

Zonning of the earths interior, Thermal state of the interior (recent view). Wegner’s Continental Drift Theory, Theory of Plate Tectonics Diastrophic Movements: Meaning of Folding and Faulting, Volcanism and Earthquake, Causes & Distribution of Earthquake in India Rocks.

Unit-III

Classification of rocks on the basis of origin. Properties of different rocks. Weathering & Soils: Meaning & Types of Weathering, Meaning of Soil, Soil Formation and Soil  Profiles, Isostasy, Mountain Building Theories,(Kober, Jeffreys, joly, Holms, Wegener and plate tectonics).

Unit-IV

Agents of Erosion and Deposition: Landforms of River Erosion and Deposition, Landforms created by Seawaves, Landforms created by Wind; Desert and tropical landforms, process of desertification. Karst and limestone topography. Landscape development,reconstruction of landscape, cyclic(Davis, Penck, King) and non-cyclic (Hacks) development of Landscape.

Unit-V

Concept of loading and Unloading of lithosphere. Loading: Construction of volcanoes, Deposition of sediment, Rise in sea level, Large lakes and reservoirs. Unloading: Erosion of mountains, Excavation of canyons and valleys, drying up of large water bodies, lowering of sea level.

 

Geo-122  Climatology and Oceanography

Unit-I

The Atmosphere: Composition and Structure of Atmosphere; Insolation and Heat Budget; Vertical and Horizontal Distribution of Temperature.

Pressure: Definition, Pressure belts, Wind system: Planetary and Local; Air motion and isobars.

Unit-II

Humidity and precipitation : Humidity, Evaporation and Condensation; Adiabatic and Non- adiabatic processes; Stability and Instability of Atmosphere; Clouds: Formation, Types and Properties; Precipitation: Formation, Types and Properties.

Unit-III

Air masses; fronts; Thunderstorms; Cyclone: Temperate and Tropical, Hurricane, Typhoon and Tornado; Tropical Cyclone of Bay of Bengal, Koppen’s and Thornwaite’s scheme.

Unit-IV

Oceanography: Ocean Bottom Relief; horizontal and vertical distribution of temperature, salinity, density of sea water.

Unit-V

Oceanic Currents, Waves and Tides, Coral reef: types and origin, Sea level changes; Marine resources; Organic and Inorganic Resource, Fishing and Other Resources. Recent Research in Climatology and Oceanography.

 

Geo-123  Economic Geography

Unit-I

Definition, nature, and scope of economic geography, growth and development of economic geography, recent approach in economic geography; quantitative approach, nomothetic approach, conversion approach, and systematic approach.

Unit-II

Agricultural typology-with special reference to: subsistence agriculture, plantation agriculture, Mediterranean agriculture, Mixed farming, Commercial grain farming, Livestock rearing. Energy resources: Conventional and non-conventional spatial patterns and supply problems.

Unit-III

Manufacturing-Factors of production: Theories of plant location: Weber's Least cost theory, Loscher's economics of location, Industries-Iron & Steel, Textile, chemical Industries-Fertilizer. Hoover’s Spatial variation in transport costs theory. Location and structure of transport costs.Transportation network and models, World transportation patterns.

Unit-IV

Theories and models:Allen Pred’s Location decision-behavioral view. Spatial  organisation of land use: Vonthunen's isolated state, Laws of return, concept of rent, Central place theory; Range of good,  threshold, central place system, central place hierarchy, Modification of christaller's model.

Unit-V

Dynamics of world trade and investment: Trade and growth international co-operation in trade, Multinational enterprise toward a dynamic new theory of international commerce. Economic regions of India.

 

Geo-124  Human geography

Unit-I

Nature, scope and approaches of human geography, branches of human geography, human geography and its relations with social sciences. Ecological and Behavioural approaches in Human Geography.

Unit-II

Thoughts in Human Geography: Pre-Historical period, Medival period and Modern period; Concept of “Determinism, Possiblism and Neo-Determinism”.

Unit-III

Evolution of man, Early Civilizations-Indo Gangatic, Tigris, Euphartis.Race: Bases of racial classification (Physical & Social bases), Griffith Taylor’s Theory of Human race.

Unit-IV

Human life & its adaptation to changing environment (Location, Geographical environment, Physical traits Food & clothing, Economic activity):

• Human life in cold region-ESKIMO,
• Human life in hot region - Pygmy & Bushmen,
• Masais Tribes of Eastern Africa. d) Tribes in India: Bhills, Gond, Naga.

Unit-V

Human Culture: Worlds principal languages and religion, their distribution; Language- Religion & national integration in India; Influence of religion on economic & social life; Migration: Types of Migration, Causes and effects of migration, Migrations in modern period.

Population: Population growth and distribution, Population - Resource Region and its impact on natural resources

 

Geo-125  Paper Title- Practical

Cartography:

Map as a tool in geographical studies: types of maps: techniques for the study of a spatial pattern of distribution,. Single purpose and composite maps, Chloropleth, Isopleths, an chorochromatic maps and Diagrams (one, two, three dimensional), mapping of location specific data, Accessibility and flow maps. Toposheets. Plane Table Survey , Clinometer using different methods

Statistical Methods:

Types of data, Frequency distribution and cumulative frequency, Measures of central tendency, Measure of dispersion, Standard deviation , mean deviation Simple and Multiple correlation , Regression , Nearest neighbor analysis.

 

Geo-126  Seminar

Seminar is based on the assignment given to the students, based on the applied aspects of the topics taught during the semester.

 

Semester-II

Geo-221 Geography of India

Unit-I

Physiographic divisions, Drainage, Vegetation, Soil: Types and its distribution, multipurpose projects.

Unit-II

Population characteristics: population growth; trends and pattern; population distribution and density, sex and literacy differentials; ethnic groups; population problems, national population policy (recent); trends of urbanization.

Unit-III

Agriculture systems, agriculture typology, agrarian reforms: Green, white, blue and yellow revolutions. Land capability, carrying capacity of land; agro-climatic regions of India with special reference to Rajasthan

Unit-IV

Distribution of minerals and power resources, industrial complexes(SEZ) and industrial regions. Trade and transport. Major industries: Iron steel, textile, sugar.

Unit-IV

Regional and regional development, regionalization (O.H.K Spate and L.Dudly Stamp), concept of watershed as a planning regions; detail study of Upper Ganga plain , Chota Nagpur Plateau ,Thar Desert (any one)

 

Geo-222   Evolution of Modern Geographical Thought

Unit-I

Nature, Scope and concepts of geography. Post, recent and interdisciplinary trends.

Unit-II

Modern approaches: Quantitative revolution and challenges, Contribution of Vidal de la Blanche and carl Sauer, Richthofen, Ratzel, Hettner and Hartshone.

Unit-III

Contemporary Trends: Quantitative Paradigm, behaviour revolution, logical  positivism, perception and cognition, Marxism, Post modernization and post structuralism.

Environmentalism: Unity of nature and man, dependency, landscape, new environmentalism and environmental perception.

Unit-IV

Geography as human ecology: Ecosystem approaches, the views of Huntington, Blache and brunches.

Unit-IV

Indian Geography: Development of geography in Indian geography, Pre, Post colonization period, Resent trends in Indian geography. Gender role in development of Geography.

 

Geo-223  Urban Geography

Unit-I

Nature and scope of urban geography, trends of urbanization in the Developed and Developing world, urbanization in India and its problems.

Unit-II

Characteristics of town, cities, metropolis and megapolis. Types of cities; Transport foci and center of specialized services.

Unit-III

Classification of cities based on functions. Urban rank size relationship, Primate City Concept, Urban Hierarchy based on Population, Urban morphology, unplanned and planned growth of towns.

Unit-IV

Morphology of Indian cities; Functional structure of towns; Characteristics of C.B.D.; Residential area and other Functional areas.

Unit-V

Internal Structure of Cities: Theories (Concentric, Sector and Multi - Nuclei Theory), Concept of Town Planning, Development of suburbs, Rural- Urban fringes, Satellite Towns, Ring towns. Concept of master plans.

 

Geo-224  Research methodology

Unit-I

Framework of Research. Concept and significance of research in geography; Philosophy and methods: empiricism, positivism, behaviourlism.

Unit-II

Planning Research and Data Generation. Primary and secondary data; Data collection and arrangement; Research design; Participatory research, Framing pilot and research project; Making survey-questionnaire

Unit-III

Theories and Techniques, Model making, application of system theory; Application and relevance of statistical and cartographic techniques;

Unit-IV

central tendency, Regression, co- relation Application of computer and GIS. Analysis, Writing and Dissemination, Analysis of data and maps; Quantitative and qualitative interpretations.

Unit-V

Application areas for research:

• Population studies
• Land use
• Urban study
• Forestry
• Rural study
  

 

Geo-225  Paper Title- Practical

Practical (Statistical Techniques and Introduction to Remote Sensing and GIS )

Unit I

Quantitative Geography: what is quantitative geography, applications of quantitative geography, spatial data, distance, representing spatial data, problems and opportunities.

Unit II

Review of Basic Statistics: Sampling distribution of the mean, estimation process, point estimates, interval estimates, confidence interval estimation for the Mean, determining sample size.

Unit III

Theory of probability, Probabilities of distribution: Normal and binomial, Poisson sampling, estimation and level of confidence, Hypothesis: development and testing. Parametric test, analysis of means, analysis of variance, one way and two way.

Unit IV

Aerial photo interpretation

• Understanding the fundamentals of Aerial Photographs like principle points, isocentre, Fiducail points number of runs and number of photographs
• Identification of objects and features; Interpretation Keys and Image interpretation of Remote Sensing data, Identification of cultural and physical features on the image.

Unit V

Techniques of mapping using RS or GIS Software by using following stages

• GIS: Geo-referencing; on-screen digitization of polygons, points and lines, Editing, adding attributes.
• Tabulation of the map related data, Integration of Spatial and Non Spatial data and Query making and Finalization of Map
  

 

Geo-226 Seminar Based on Assignment

Seminar is based on the assignment given to the students, based on the applied aspects of the topics taught during the semester.

 

Semester-III

Geo-321  Geomorphology and Hydrology

Unit-I

Nature and scope of geomorphology, Fundamental concepts of geomorphology. Geological Time Scale. Recent trends in geomorphology.

Unit-II

Geomorphic analysis: approaches in geomorphic analysis, identification and analysis of the major erosion surfaces, models of slope development, Geomorphic Ideas of Davis and Penk, Wood King, Savigaviour.

Unit-III

Morphometric analysis: Aeral, linear, and relief aspect analysis, drainage basin morphological and land unit mapping, morpho-chronology, land degradation, Desertification and soil erosion.

Unit-IV

Meaning, scope and development of Hydrology; Hydrological cycle; Man’s influence on the hydrological cycle; Precipitation types; Evapotranspiration.

Unit-V

Water shed and its management, Soil moisture and its zones; Infiltration; Groundwater:  occurrence, storage, recharge and discharge; River regimes. Glacial and Periglaciation, Pelistocene ice age and its impact.

 

Geo-322 Ecology and environment

Unit-I

The Ecosystem Concepts: The global terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems, biotic and abiotic components of the ecosystem, biomass and energy, Food chain and food web and tropic levels Ecological amplitude and ecological niches.

Unit-II

Flow of Energy in terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. Microbial ecology and Biogeochemical cycling of Carbon, Nitrogen, Phosphorus and Sulfur, and Hydrological cycle. Primary and secondary productivity of different ecosystems in the world.

Unit-III

Factors responsible for Environmental Pollutants: (Environmental, Physical, Social and Biological) Pollutants-Nature of pollutants, Physical, chemical and biological characteristics of pollutants.

Types of Pollution: Air, Noise, Land Pollution, Water Pollution. Global Warming and Seas Level Changes.

Unit-IV

State of Environment in Rajasthan: Contemporary Issues related to environment. Deforestation, Desertification, Urbanization, Population. Ground Water Monitoring, Aerial Monitoring (Survey) and Satellite Monitoring

Unit-V

Environmental Impact assessment (EIA) and sustainable development: Concept and implication. Case study of Rajasthan. (Survey or Seminar)

 

Geo-323 A.  Industrial Geography

Unit-I

Locational factors in manufacturing, concept of optimum locations, significance of cost and prices, the least cost school and the transport cost school,, the market area school, the marginal area school, the behaviour school.

Unit-II

The copper industry, The aluminum industry, The paper and pulp industry, The cement industry.

Unit-III

New trends in industrial geography, important industrial regions of the world, important industrial regions of India

Unit-IV

The changing character of geographical concentration and impact of technological change, changing character of industrial regions.

The study of the following regions:

• The Hoogly side industrial regions
• The Damoder valley industrial regions
• The rhur basin industrial region
• The great lake industrial regions
• Red Basin

Unit-V

• Multilocational industries- Iron and steel, oil refining
• Market oriented industries-furniture, textile industries
• Footloose industries- automobile, commercial, ship building, IT
• Raw material oriented industries- the paper and pulp industry, the cement industry.

 

Geo-323 B.  Ecotourism Studies

Unit-I

Eco Tourism : Defination and concept, & Definition of ecotourism

Concept of ecotourism

• Ecotourism and related sub sectors of the tourism industry
• Ecotourism criteria
• Quebec declaration on ecotourism

Social and ecological impacts of tourism

Unit-II

Ecotourism Resources: Identifying, listing, and understanding ecotourism resource categories (natural, built, and events) Protected Areas: Definition, categories and roles

Developing an ecotourism product

• Identifying products, developing partnerships, tapping local knowledge, incorporating research, zoning, developing policies and guidelines, educating & marketing
• Knowledge, skills, attitude and commitment of ecotourism service providers

Unit-III

Principles of ecotourism

• Ecotourism and environment, economic and social benefits, Ecotourism and local community , Ecotourism and education

Components of ecotourism

• Ecotourism and the environment
• Ecotourism and conservation
• Ecotourism and protected areas

Unit-IV

Ecotourism practices

• Transportation
• Facilities (reduce, replace, reuse, recycle)
• Services (types, activities, and code of ethics)
• The ecotourists (types, and code of ethics)
• Eco labeling and green washing Examples and case studies of ecotourism in practice
• Best practice guidance
• Certification
• Identify existing examples and case studies of eco-friendly practices in the tourism industry

Unit-V

Ecotourism in the national/global context

• Convention on Biological Diversity
• Millennium Development Goals

Scope and areas of employment

 

Geo-324  Visit to mapping Institutes and Data Analysis and Report Writing (Dissertation)

Visiting Institutes

• Department of Urban and town planning (JDA)
• Department of agriculture
• Department of Metrology
• Remoter sensing and service Centre
• Department of Forestry and Environment
• Regional Remote Sensing Service Centre(Kharagpur, Jodhpur, Bangalore etc. )
• NRSA Hyderabad
• IIRS Dehradun
• Jamia Milia Islamia, New Delhi
• IDSJ
• Survey of India- Indira Gandhi Panchayati Raj
• NATMO-Kolkatta
• Minning Department
• Pollution control board.

 

Geo-325  Practical (Advanced Cartographic Methods and Projections)

Theory and Principles of Surveying: Concept of surveying, Dumpy Level, Theodolite Projection: Definition, Classification construction of Projection by Mathematical method

• Polar Zenithal Projection
• Gnomonic Projection
• Stereographic Projection
• Orthographic Projection
• Simple Conical Projection (With One Standard Parallel )
• Conical Projection (With Two Standard Parallel )
• Polyconic Projection
• Bonne’s Projection
• Simple Cylindrical Projection
• Cylindrical Equal Area Projection

 

GEO-326  Seminar

Socio-economic Survey (Application of research methodology based on socio economic survey)

Field Survey of any kind of geographical location (coastal village, Hill town etc)  Identification of problems of geographical research. Identifying the sources and natures of data and methodology to be used. Field Survey and data collection by the students on their respective topics. classification and sampling problems. Need for sampling, types of sampling, sample size and sampling area.

 

Semester-IV

Geo-421  Agricultural Geography

Unit-I

Concept, origin and dispersal of agriculture, development of agriculture through the age in important agricultural areas of the world, modern with special reference to India and Rajasthan, trends and Practice, Factors influencing patters and farm techniques.

Unit-II

Soils: Major soil types: distribution, characteristics, their main use and problems for agricultural use, soil nutrients: mineral and organic, Use of fertilizers and manures to improve agricultural productivity. Cultural practices influencing the soil characteristics. Soil Problems: Erosion and exhaustion-cause. Soil conservation: Physical and biological measures.

Unit-III

Types of agriculture shifting cultivation, plantation agriculture, Mediterranean type, collective and state farming extensive and intensive agriculture and their characteristics. Agricultural land use: concept and history, land use surveys, principles, objectives, policies and planning of land use surveys, land classification: need and basis of land classification,

Unit-IV

Agricultural statistics and their mapping. Measurements of the levels of agricultural development-Concept and methodology. Agricultural regionalization-Concept,methods of delimitation Traditional and statistical methods. Crop-ranking, Crop-combination regions-meaning; need and methodology, (Detailed study of Kendal's Weaver's Crop- Diversification, Concentration methods and deductions.

Unit-V

Preparation, planning and monitoring of a detailed Performa for land use surveys. Food storage technology, Green revolution in India. Live-stock combination, Diary development, Agro forestry importance, status and scope in India Agricultural efficiencyconcept, methods of measurement, Nutrition and food balance sheet, Crop-pattern and deficiency disease.

 

Geo-422  Regional Development and Planning

Unit-I

Regional Planning: regional concept oh Geography, its application to planning, Concept of planning region, regional hierarchy, Types of region and methods of regional delineation, Conceptual and theoretical framework of regional planning, regional planning in India, Concept of development, Indicator of development regional imbalances

Unit-II

Economic Concept, nature and scope of regional planning, different approaches to regional planning, planning regions: concept and types; planning regions of India, regional policies in India.

Unit-III

development and regional development, regional economic complexes, inter regional and intra regional functional interactions, Regional disparities in India City land use structure: generalized land use maps and plans; detail land use patterns and norms; urban land use policy.

Unit-IV

Urban amenities and city transport; city water supply and sewerages, municipal and non municipal services, planning and policy implications. Urban transport network and transport system. Urban transport planning and policy.

Unit-I V

City planning: legal and institutional framework, planning procedures; the futuristic city; issues in the city planning.

 

GEO-423 A  Fundamental of Remote Sensing, GIS and GPS

Unit-I

Principles, types and scope of remote sensing, principal of energy radiation, aerial photography,stages in remote sensing data acquisition, EMR with atmosphere and earth’s surface feature, Remote sensing platforms, type of orbital characteristics, sensor types and their operating principles, microwave remote sensing,

Unit-II

Introduction to Photogrammetry; Aerial photographs: Types Characteristics; Scale and Geometry Aerial photographs, Relief displacement.

Unit-III

Definition and scope of GIS; Components of GIS; developm ent of GIS. Implications of spherical and planar coordinate systems and their transformations in GIS; Georeferencing and implications of earth’s shape and datum in GIS.

Unit-IV

Data model: Raster and Vector models for geographic data representation; GIS data standards— concepts and components; Digital Elevation Model (DEM): process, derivatives and applications.

Unit-V

Remote sensing and GIS integration, Introduction to GPS, Application of remote sensing in land use and land cover and its classification system;

 

GEO-423 B  Population and Rural Settlement Geography

Unit-I

Concepts, scope and methodology of population geography; Population dynamics: fertility, mortality and migration.

Unit-II

Theories of Population Growth: Malthus, Marx, Optimum and Demographic transition; Migration theories: Ravenstien and Everetts Lee.

Unit-III

Bases, Evolution and Models. Nature, scope, definition and significance of Rural  Settlement Geography; Human settlement as a system; Concepts and characteristics of rural settlements; Theories and models of settlement diffusion.

Unit-IV

Spatiality and Histogenesis. Evolution and growth of rural settlements and their causes: Old and New Worlds; Siting and location of rural settlements; Distribution, spacing, and nature of dispersion; Types and patterns; Morphology of village: examples from Germany, Japan, Israel, African countries; Rural-service centres: nature, hierarchy, service area, and interaction.

Unit-V

Indian Village. Evolution and multiplicity; Regional morphological characteristics; Morphological interaction models: religio-ritual, secular-economic, and sacred-economic interlocking system; Transformation and planning of Indian village: models and plans.

 

GEO- 424  Practical (Advance Statistical Techniques Remote Sensing and GIS)

Unit I

Simple Linear Regression: what is simple linear regression, terminology, notation, statistical parameters, inference, assumptions, least-squares regression Estimation.

Unit II

Multiple Linear Regression: models, purpose, regression surfaces, effects of explanatory variables, specially constructed explanatory variables.

Unit III

inferential tools,tests and confidence intervals for coefficients, F-tests, R2, prediction. Stepwise regression, weighted regression, indicator variables, interaction terms.

Unit IV

Interpretation of Satellite Images

• Graphic User Interface of RS Software – ERDAS Software
• Data Input: Spatial And Non-Spatial; Scanning, Digitizing and; Data Import And Export; Data Registration, Georeferencing; Mosaic preparation;

Unit V

Topology Building, Data Editing and Cleaning; Geo-Referencing; Projection And Datum; Coordinate Transformation; Linking Spatial And Non-Spatial  .Data; Data Base Creation; Attribute Handling

 

Geo- 425  Dissertation based on training programme.

• Presentation of Seminar Brief Presentation of the data collected during field survey and their analysis.
• Presentation of Seminar Preparation of research projects and writing of reports.
• Viva voce
  

 

Geo-426  Seminar Based on Dissertation

Presentation of Seminar: Regarding the research problem, Literature review and proposed methodology for the study

Presentation of Seminar: About the practical Exposure got during Industrial/ practical Training and regarding the nature of the data collected during filed survey

Objectives of dissertation:

• To acquaint the students with tools of Geography and its practical applicability.
• To make the students aware of the magnitude of problems and prospectus by the application of geographical methodology
• To help the students to understand the inter relationship between the subject and the society.
• To help the students to understand the recent trends in regional studies, surveys through visits to the applied industries and institutes.
• To acquaint the students with basic of Statistical data, techniques and research methodology.
• To acquaint the students with the principles of surveying, its importance and utility in the geography.