Physical Geography Syllabus & Subjects 2024: Semester-wise List, Top Colleges Syllabus PDF

Biogeography

Biogeography studies the biotic things on Earth, like – flora, fauna, and various microorganisms. It also includes the study of soil and the pattern of the geographic distribution of various organisms.

Climatology

In simple terms, climatology can be referred to as the scientific study of the climate of Earth. It also considers factors causing climate change. Some of the topics included under climatology are:

• Atmospheric composition and structure.

• Insolation and temperature.

• Atmospheric pressure, wind, and moisture.

• Types of cyclones.

Geomorphology

Geomorphology is a subject that deals with the quantitative and qualitative study of various aeolian, karst, fluvial, coastal, and glacial landforms and their evolution. Some of the subtopics under geomorphology are: -

• Nature and scope of geomorphology.

• Earth and its movements.

• Geomorphic processes.

• Evolution of landforms.

Hydrology

Hydrology includes the study of various water bodies and water resources present on Earth and the effect of human intervention on these resources. Movement and distribution of water bodies are also included in this subject.

Pedology

Pedology is a subject that is specifically concerned with soil study. It includes all aspects of soil such as:

• Soil structure

• Soil composition

• Soil type

• Soil pH.

Practical Geography

Practical geography includes various practical aspects of geography like:

• Cartographic techniques

• Thematic cartography

• Statistical methods in geography

• Fieldwork and research method

• Project work.

Disaster Management

Under disaster management, students study the precautions taken to avoid natural and man-made disasters and the methods to efficiently manage and save lives and property. Some of the topics within this subject are:

• Definition and concepts of disaster

• Natural disasters

• Man-made disasters

• Response and mitigation to disasters.

Spatial Information Technology

Spatial information technology is a subject that utilises technology to collect and use the three-dimensional structure information of the Earth. Some of the subtopics are:

• Introduction to spatial information technology

• Spatial data

• Working and functions of spatial information systems

• Application of spatial information technology.

Climate Change: Vulnerability and Adaptation

Climate change: vulnerability and adaptation dealwith various aspects that influence climate and the aspects, which have influenced the climate in the past. It also includes various actions that are being taken to minimise climate change. Some of the topics that come under this subject area:

• Science of climate change

• Adaptation and mitigation

• Impact of climate change

• Climate change and vulnerability.

1

Core

Elective

1. Geomorphology

2. Cartographic Techniques (Practical)

1. Disaster Management

2. Geography of Tourism

Precisely, the syllabus of geomorphology includes:

• Geomorphology: nature and scope

• Earth: interior structure and isostasy

• Tectonic plates.

• Types of folds and faults

• Earthquakes and volcanoes

• Geomorphic processes like – cycle of erosion, mass wasting, and weathering.

• Evolution of coastal, aeolian, glacial, karst, and fluvial landforms.

Cartographic techniques are the practical portion of the syllabus. It includes:

• Nature and scope of cartography

• Concept and application of scales

• Map projections

• Topographical maps

• Slope analysis.

Disaster management includes the definition, cause, and impact of disaster and its prevention. Geography of tourism includes definition, types, recent trends, and impacts of tourism.

2

Core

Elective

1. Thematic Cartography.

1. Spatial Information Technology

2. Regional Development

Thematic cartography is also the practical part of the syllabus. It includes: -

• Classification and different types of maps

• Presentation of data in diagrammatic form

• Different techniques for thematic mapping

• Overlays in cartography

• Preparation and interpretation of various thematic maps.

Spatial information technology includes an introduction, working, functions, and application of spatial information technology. Regional development subject includes the definition of region, evolution, and problems and strategies of regional planning.

3

Core

Elective

1. Climatography

2. Statistical Methods in Geography

1. Climate Change: Vulnerability and Adaptation

2. Rural Development

The syllabus of climatography includes:

• Structure and composition of the atmosphere

• Winds and atmospheric pressure

• Temperature and insolation

• Moisture in the atmosphere

• Types of cyclones.

It is also a practical subject and its syllabus includes:

• Use of geographic data

• Sampling

• Association and correlation

• Normal and probability distribution

• Statistics.

Climate change is a subject that includes science and the impact of climate change, greenhouse gases and global warming, climate change and vulnerability, adaptation, mitigation, etc. Rural Development includes the definition of development, rural economic base, provision of services, etc.

4

Core

Elective

1. Economic Geography

2. Environmental Geography

3. Field Work and Research Methodology (Practical)

1. Industrial Geography

2. Sustainable Development

The syllabus of economic geography includes:

• Economic activity: Concepts and classification

• Primary, secondary and tertiary activities

• Factors that influence the location of economic activity.

The syllabus of environmental geography contains:

• Concepts and scope

• Relations between humans and the environment

• Ecosystem

• Problems in various ecosystems

• Policies and programs related to the environment.

It is also a practical subject and the syllabus includes:

• Geographic studies fieldwork

• Case study

• Various field techniques

• Field tools usage

• Field report designing.

Industrial geography includes the nature and scope of industrial geography, types, geographical characters and locations of industries, etc.

Sustainable development includes definition, components, limitations, and historical background. SDG policies and programs are also part of this subject.

5

Core

1. Regional Planning and Development

2. Remote Sensing and GIS (Practical)

The syllabus of this subject includes:

• Definitions of evolution and region

• Types, theories, and models of regional planning

• Concept of development

• Changing the concept of development

• Measurement of development.

Remote sensing and GIS are practical subjects. It includes:

• Definition, components, development, platforms, and types of remote sensing and GIS

• Data structure of GIS

• Satellite remote sensing

• Aerial photography

• Digital and manual processing of image and data analysis

• Application and interpretation.

6

Core

1. Evolution of Geographical Thought

2. Disaster Management-based Project Work (Practical)

It includes the history of geography. It consists of:

• Paradigms

• Pre-modern and modern geography

• Debates

• Trends

It is a practical subject. Its syllabus includes case studies on disasters and disaster preparedness plans.

Geoscience or Earth Science

• Geology

• Ore geology

• Palaeontology

• Geomorphology

• Geomorphology

• Geotechnical engineering

• Seismology

• Sedimentology

• Geochemistry

Students who are interested in the processes of how the Earth’s surface is formed and want to know more about it can choose this field. Specialisation in this subject provides the opportunity of working as a geologist in the mining and energy industries, etc.

Biogeography

• Palaeontology

• Taxonomy

• Geology

• Evolutionary biology

• Physical geography

• Ecology

• Climatology

Students who like studying biology can choose this subject for specialisation as this field studies the distribution of all the living organisms on Earth.

Glaciology

• Glacier dynamics

• Global climate modelling

• Mountain climatology and monsoons

• Energy balance over snow and ice

• Remote sensing of glaciers

• Glacier mass balance approaches and methods

• Discharge measurement methods

• Water balance in glaciated catchment

• Climate downscaling and gridded climate data

A glaciologist studies all forms of ice present on earth such as glaciers, snow, ice sheets, sea ice, and frozen grounds and lakes. Glaciology is a vast field and there are various specialisations in glaciology itself.

Hydrology

• Environmental science

• Geology

It involves the study of water on Earth, how it occurs, its properties, circulation and distribution, and its effect on organisms and their environment. It also gives an insight into effective water management ways, which is very important in today’s world. In general, it provides a strong base in the field of earth sciences.

Oceanology

• Geology

• Geography

• Botany

• Earth sciences

• Mathematics

• Physics

• History

Students who are fascinated by oceans and feel like they can study and make a career out of it go for a specialisation in oceanology. It includes the scientific study of oceans from antiquity to the future.

Geomorphology

Geosystems: An Introduction to Physical Geography

Robert W. Christopherson

It is one of the most-read books for geomorphology. The author has well-defined the interrelation between humans and Earth. The detailed knowledge of the author on physical geography is evident in this book.

Climatology

Climatology: An Atmospheric Science

Oliver J.E. and Hidore J.J.

This book contains a detailed study of meteorology, regionalization of climate, and climate change. Each topic is excellently addressed with the help of graphs and photographs, giving it an eye-catching appearance.

Environmental Geography

Principles of Environmental Science: Inquiry and Applications

Cunningham W.P. and Cunningham M.A.

This is a concise textbook that introduces the students to the world of environmental geography and various themes in it. All the information provided in this book is up-to-date.

Economic Geography

Economic Geography: A Contemporary Introduction

Coe N.M., Kelly P.F., and Yeung H.W.

This book provides students with a detailed interpretation of the geography of economic life.