| Monday, March 10, 2008
Higher studies in geography
There are several specialisations at the postgraduate level
in geography that can open up a wide range of career avenues
such as town planning, remote sensing, and cartography, to mention
a few.
Geography is a blend of social and pure science. Graduate and
postgraduate courses in geography are offered in the science
or humanities streams. The three-year degree course in geography
provides a foundation for higher studies in specialised areas
such as physical geography, geomorphology, geoinformatics, remote
sensing, hydrology or water management and plant and soil science.
The B.Sc. geography course covers physical geography topics
such as biogeography, climatology, geomorphology and hydrology.
B.A. Geography focusses on topics related to human geography.
Geography has a multidisciplinary link with natural science
through physical geography and earth science courses such as
meteorology, oceanography, geomorphology, biogeography (distribution
and ecology of plants), zoogeography (distribution and ecology
of animals) and natural resources.
Physical geography is more important, as it deals with the human
use of earth. For instance, agriculture depends on climate,
weather and formation and erosion of soils. It deals with the
impact of natural hazards such as tornadoes and earthquakes.
Geomorphology deals with the formation and development of land
forms through the process of deposition and erosion. It is one
of the major branches of physical geography, with a close link
to geology and other systematic sciences.
After graduating with good marks, you can do a postgraduate
programme. M.A. and M.Sc. courses are offered in geomorphology,
tropical geomorpholog y, environmental geomorphology and so
on. Geographical Information Systems (GIS) deals with computer-based
storing and processing of information about the surface of earth
and land use. Those keen on pursuing it should know computer
programming and using the system to acquire, manage, display
and analyse spatial data in digital form.
Geomorphology, climatology and oceanography, disaster management,
advanced cartography, biogeography, population and settlement,
regional planning, cultural geography, political geography and
remote sensing are part of the content of M.A. courses offered
by some universities.
Universities offering M.Sc. or M.A. Geography courses include
the following:
Department of Geography, University of Madras, Chennai - 600
005: M.Sc. Applied geography.
Department of Geography, Madurai Kamaraj University, Madurai
- 625 021: MSc Geography, M.Phil. and Ph.D.Bangalore University,
Jnanabharathi Campus, Bangalore - 560 056: M.Sc. Geography.
Department of Geography, Bharathidasan University, Tiruchi -
620 024: M.Sc. Applied geography.
Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi - 110 067: M.A. Geography.
Department of Geography, Sri Krishnadevarayar University, Ananthapur
- 515 003: M.Sc. Geography.
Department of Geography, North Eastern Hill University, Shillong
- 793 022: M.A./M.Sc. Geography, M.Phil. and Ph.D.
University of Mumbai, Mahatma Gandhi Road, Fort, Mumbai - 400
032: M.A./ M.Sc. Geography.
Department of Geography, Himachal Pradesh University, Shimla
- 171 005: M.A. Geography.
Research
Those who pass the master’s course with a minimum 55 per
cent marks will be eligible to appear for the National Eligibility
Test for Junior Research Fellowship and Lectureship conducted
by the University Grants Commission.
Clearing the test will enable one to pursue research leading
to a Ph.D. with fellowship or seek appointment as lecturer in
universities or colleges.
Final-year postgraduate students are also eligible to appear
for the examination.
Thrust areas of research include geomorphology with focus on
regional and applied geomorphology; environmental studies with
focus on climatology and climate change; water resources and
hydrology; biogeography and biodiversity; watershed management
studies; regional development and regional planning; social
and cultural diversity with special focus on tribal development
and GIS and remote sensing application in environment; and land
use planning.
Job prospects
Highly qualified geography students are eligible to get jobs
in the fields of mapping, cartography, town planning, environmental
planning, aerial surveying and remote sensing, research survey,
tourism and travel, media and so on, apart from pursuing a teaching
career.
Courtesy: The Hindu - Education Plus
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