Syllabus (GEOGRAPHY)

Course Type: MAJ-1

Semester: 1

Course Code: BGEOMAJ01C

Course Title: Introduction to Physical Geography & Elementary Practicals in Geography

(L-P-Tu): 4-2-0

Credit: 6

Practical/Theory: Combined

Course Objective: The course offers a basic understanding about the principal characteristics of the physical environment of the Earth. To understand the evolution of landscape and landforms over time. To understand the idea of different types of Map Scale. To assess landf

Learning Outcome: The students will be able to identify different landscape evolved from different geomorphic processes. Student will be able to explain and interpret different land forms of the earth. Students will learn about the application of scale in geographic studie

Course Title: Introduction to Physical Geography

Paper Type: Theoretical Course Credit: 4

Unit I: Our Earth and the Physical Environment [26 Hours]

1.1 Interior of the Earth; Earth’s tectonic and structural evolution through Geological Time Scale (6 lectures)

1.2 Earth’s atmosphere: Insolation; Pressure Belts; Planetary wind System; Greenhouse Effect and Global Warming. (8)

1.3 Earth’s hydrosphere: Global hydrological cycle; Ocean circulation – major ocean currents. (4 lectures)

1.4 Earth’s Biosphere: Biogeographical realms of the world; Soils – Zonal, Azonal and Intrazonal; Classification of forest (Champion). (8 lectures)

Unit II: Landforms and Landscape [26 Hours]

2.1 Landforms: Types & Order. Concept & Theory of Isostasy (Airy & Pratt). Geomorphic Processes ( 6 lectures)

2.2 Landforms due to Endogenic forces: Plate Tectonics and associated Landforms; Seismicity &
Vulcanicity; Landform evolution in Uniclinal, Folded and Faulted structure (8 lecture)

2.3 Landforms due to Exogenic Processes: Weathering & Mass Movement ( 4 lectures)

2.4 Fluvial, Glacial, Aeolian, Coastal and Karst landscapes; Landscape evolution models: Davis,
Penck and Hack (8 lectures)

Selected References:
1. Singh, Savindra 2020 Physical Geography. Pravalika Publications
2. Frisch, W., Meschede, M., Blakey, R.C. 2011. Plate Tectonics: Continental Drift and Mountain Building. Springer.
3. Goudie, A.S. (Ed) 2004. Encyclopedia of Geomorphology, vol. 1 and 2, Routledge.
4. Kale, V.S., Gupta, A. 2001. Introduction to Geomorphology, Orient Longman.
5. Selby, M.J. 1986. Earth’s Changing Surface, Oxford University Press.
6. Strahler, A. 2016. Introducing Physical Geography, 6th ed, Wiley.
7. Summerfield, M.J. 2003. Global Geomorphology: An Introduction to the Study of landforms, Longman.
8. Thornbury, W.D. 1969. Principles of Geomorphology, 2nd ed, Wiley-India / CBS.
9. Barry, R.G., Chorley R.J. 2009. Atmosphere Weather and Climate. 9th Ed, Routledge.
10. Critchfield, H. J. 1983. General Climatology. Prentice Hall India Ltd (2010 Reprint).
11. Lal, D.S. 2012. Climatology. Sharda Pustak Bhawan.
12. Oliver, J.E., Hidore, J.J. 2002. Climatology: An Atmospheric Science, Pearson Education India.

13. Parihar, S & Bunett RB 2019 Physical Geography through Diagrams Pearson Education; Fourth edition

Course Title:Elementary Practicals in Geography

Paper Type: Practical Course Credit: 2

Unit I: Scale, Minerals and Rocks [22 Hours]

1.1 Concept and classification of Map Scales

1.2 Construction and use of scales: Simple linear, Comparative linear, Diagonal and Vernier

1.3 Megascopic identification of Mineral samples: Bauxite, Calcite, Chalcopyrite, Feldspar, Galena, Gypsum, Hematite, Magnetite, Mica, Quartz, Talc, Tourmaline

1.4 Megascopic identification of Rock samples: Granite, Basalt, Dolerite, Laterite, Limestone, Shale, Sandstone, Conglomerate, Slate, Phyllite, Schist, Gneiss, Quartzite, Marble.

Unit II: Interpretation of Geological Map [30 Hours]

2.1 Basic ideas and conventional symbols. Choice of section line; series and unconformity; strike and dip; topography; rules of three-point problems for measuring dip.

2.2 Drawing of geological section - Horizontal, Uniclinal with unconformity, and Simple folded structure.

2.3 Interpretation of geological section based on a) topography; b) sequence of beds; c) attitude of beds d) structure of beds e) correlation between structure and topography; f) geological history

Project File

a) Construction of Scales: Simple linear, Comparative scale, Diagonal & Vernier.
b) Identification of Minerals and Rocks.
c) Drawing and interpretation of geological section - Horizontal, Uniclinal with unconformity, & Simple
folded structure.

Selected References:
1. Basak, N.N. 2017. Surveying and Levelling, 2nd ed, McGraw Hill Education.
2. Kanetkar, T.P., Kulkatni, S.V. 1988. Surveying and Levelling, Part I, Pune Vidyarthi Griha Prakashan.
3. Sarkar, A. 2015. Practical Geography: A Systematic Approach, 3rd ed, Orient Blackswan Pvt. Ltd.
4. Singh, R.L., Singh, R.P.B. 2008. Elements of Practical Geography, Kalyani Publishers
5. Subramanian, R. 2012. Surveying and Levelling, 2nd ed, Oxford University Press.