GEOGRAPHY

Course Content

Fundamentals of Physical Geography

Geography as a Discipline
1. Geography as an integrating discipline, as a science of spatial attributes.
2. Branches of Geography; Physical Geography and Human Geography.
3. Scope and Career Options
The Earth
4. Origin and evolution of the earth; Interior of the earth.
5. Wegener's continental drift theory and plate tectonics.
6. Earthquakes and volcanoes: causes, types and effects.
7. Landforms
8. Rocks: major types of rocks and their characteristics.
9. Landforms and their evolution.
10. Geomorphic processes: weathering, mass wasting, erosion and deposition; soil-formation.
11. Climate
12. Atmosphere- composition and structure; elements of weather and climate.
13. Insolation-angle of incidence and distribution; heat budget of the earth-heating and cooling of atmosphere (conduction, convection, terrestrial radiation and advection); temperature- factors controlling temperature; distribution of temperature-horizontal and vertical; inversion of temperature.
14. Precipitation-evaporation; condensation-dew, frost, fog, mist and cloud; rainfall-types and world distribution.
15. World climates-classification (Koeppen and Thornthwaite), Global warming and climatic changes.
16. Climate and Global Concerns.
Hydrosphere
17. Basics of Oceanography
18. Oceans - distribution of temperature and salinity.
19. Movements of ocean water-waves, tides and currents; submarine reliefs.
20. Ocean resources and pollution.
Biosphere
21. Biosphere - importance of plants and other organisms; biodiversity and conservation; ecosystem and ecological balance.
Map work on identification of features based on 1 to 6 units on the outline/ Physical/Political map of the world.

India - Physical Environment

Introduction.
22. Location, space relations, India's place in the world.
Physiography.
23. Structure and Relief; Physiographic Divisions.
24. Drainage systems: Concept of river basins, Watershed; the Himalayan and the Peninsular rivers.
Climate, Vegetation and Soil
25. Weather and climate - spatial and temporal distribution of temperature, pressure winds and rainfall, Indian monsoon: mechanism, onset and withdrawal, variability of rainfalls : spatial and temporal; Climatic types (Koeppen).
26. Natural vegetation-forest types and distribution; wild life; conservation; biosphere reserves.
27. Soils - major types (ICAR's classification) and their distribution, soil degradation and conservation.
Hazards and Disasters: Causes, Consequences and Management (One case study to be introduced for each topic)
28. Floods, Cloudbursts
29. Droughts: types and impact
30. Earthquakes and Tsunami
31. Cyclones: features and impact
32. Landslides
Map Work of features based on above units for locating and labelling on the Outline/Political/Physical map of India.

Practical Work

Fundamentals of Maps
33. Maps -types; scales-types; construction of simple linear scale, measuring distance; finding direction and use of symbols.
34. Latitude, longitude and time.
35. Map projection- typology, construction and properties of projection : Conical with one standard parallel and Mercator's projection.

Practical Work

36. Topographic and Weather Maps
37. Study of topographic maps (1 : 50,000 or 1 : 25,000 Survey of India maps); contour cross section and identification of landforms-slopes, hills, valleys, waterfall, cliffs; distribution of settlements.
38. Aerial Photographs:Types and Geometry-vertical aerial photographs; difference between maps and aerial photographs; photo scale determination.
39. Satellite imageries, stages in remote sensing data-acquisition, platform and sensors and data products, (photographic and digital).
40. Identification of physical and cultural features from aerial photographs and satellite imageries.
41. Use of weather instruments: thermometer, wet and dry-bulb thermometer, barometer, wind vane, rain gauge.
42. Use of weather charts: describing pressure, wind and rainfall distribution.