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MA in Geography at Kabutari Devi Rajeshwar Tripathi Smarak Mahavidyalaya
Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh
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About the Specialization
What is Geography at Kabutari Devi Rajeshwar Tripathi Smarak Mahavidyalaya Gorakhpur?
This MA Geography program at Kabutari Devi Rajeshwar Tripathi Smarak Mahavidyalaya focuses on providing an in-depth understanding of physical and human geographical phenomena, crucial for addressing India''''s diverse environmental and socio-economic challenges. It integrates traditional geographical concepts with modern techniques, catering to the growing demand for skilled geographers in various sectors across the country.
Who Should Apply?
This program is ideal for fresh graduates with a background in Geography or allied social sciences seeking entry into environmental management, urban planning, or research. It also suits working professionals, including educators and civil service aspirants, looking to enhance their analytical and spatial reasoning skills for career advancement in India''''s public and private sectors.
Why Choose This Course?
Graduates of this program can expect diverse India-specific career paths in government agencies like ISRO, NRSC, and urban development authorities, as well as NGOs and environmental consultancies. Entry-level salaries typically range from INR 3 to 6 lakhs per annum, with experienced professionals earning significantly more. The program also prepares students for NET/JRF and PhD opportunities, fostering growth trajectories in academia and research within India.
Student Success Practices
Foundation Stage
Build Strong Conceptual Foundations- (Semester 1-2)
Dedicate time to thoroughly understand core physical and human geography concepts from textbooks and supplementary readings. Actively participate in classroom discussions and seek clarification on complex theories to establish a robust academic base for advanced studies.
Tools & Resources
Standard geography textbooks (e.g., Savindra Singh, Leong & Morgan), NPTEL lectures for foundational topics, Peer study groups
Career Connection
A strong theoretical grounding is essential for competitive exams like UPSC Civil Services, state PSCs, and NET/JRF, opening doors to government and academic careers.
Master Cartographic and Quantitative Skills- (Semester 1-2)
Focus on developing proficiency in practical skills such as map-making, interpretation, and basic statistical analysis. Utilize lab sessions effectively and practice regularly to handle geographical data, which is critical for future research and applications.
Tools & Resources
Lab manuals for Cartography and Quantitative Techniques, Open-source mapping software (e.g., QGIS basic tutorials), Microsoft Excel for data analysis
Career Connection
These skills are fundamental for roles in urban planning, data analysis, and surveying, making graduates highly employable in sectors requiring spatial data interpretation.
Engage with Current Geographical Issues- (Semester 1-2)
Beyond the syllabus, cultivate a habit of reading national newspapers, geographical magazines, and research articles to stay updated on contemporary environmental and socio-economic issues in India. This broadens perspective and improves critical thinking.
Tools & Resources
The Hindu/Indian Express, Down To Earth magazine, Online academic journals (e.g., Current Science)
Career Connection
Awareness of current affairs and geographical challenges is crucial for success in interviews for government jobs, research positions, and NGOs focused on policy and development.
Intermediate Stage
Develop Advanced GIS and Remote Sensing Skills- (Semester 3)
Actively pursue advanced training in GIS and Remote Sensing. Utilize elective courses and consider external workshops or online courses to gain hands-on experience with spatial software and data analysis, which are highly valued in the industry.
Tools & Resources
QGIS, ArcGIS (if available), Google Earth Engine, Online courses from NPTEL, Coursera on GIS/RS
Career Connection
Proficiency in these technologies leads to high-demand roles as GIS Analysts, Remote Sensing Specialists, and Geoinformatics Engineers in urban planning, environmental consulting, and disaster management.
Participate in Fieldwork and Surveys- (Semester 3)
Actively engage in fieldwork and geographical surveys, whether as part of the curriculum or independently. This provides invaluable practical experience in data collection, observation, and understanding real-world geographical phenomena, enhancing research capabilities.
Tools & Resources
GPS devices (basic smartphone apps are sufficient), Survey questionnaires and interview guides, Local area maps and government reports
Career Connection
Field experience is crucial for positions in environmental impact assessment, urban and rural development projects, and research, demonstrating practical application of knowledge.
Undertake Mini-Research Projects- (Semester 3)
Collaborate with faculty or peers on small-scale research projects, even if not formally required. This helps in developing research methodology skills, data analysis proficiency, and academic writing, preparing for the final dissertation.
Tools & Resources
University library resources, Google Scholar, Statistical software (e.g., SPSS trial, R-Studio)
Career Connection
Early research exposure strengthens academic profiles for higher studies (PhD) and provides a competitive edge for research-oriented roles in government or private sectors.
Advanced Stage
Excel in Dissertation Work- (Semester 4)
Choose a relevant and impactful research topic for your dissertation. Dedicate significant time to literature review, precise methodology, robust data analysis, and clear report writing. Seek regular feedback from your supervisor to ensure high-quality output.
Tools & Resources
Academic databases (JSTOR, ResearchGate), Referencing software (Zotero, Mendeley), Statistical tools
Career Connection
A strong dissertation showcases independent research capability, a key requirement for research positions, academic roles, and even analytical roles in the corporate sector.
Network and Explore Career Opportunities- (Semester 4)
Actively network with alumni, professionals in the geography field, and attend career fairs (if any) or online webinars. Research potential employers like government departments, environmental agencies, and educational institutions to understand career paths and job requirements.
Tools & Resources
LinkedIn, University career services (if available), Professional geography associations in India
Career Connection
Networking often leads to internship opportunities, mentorship, and direct job leads, significantly improving placement prospects in diverse geographical fields.
Prepare for Competitive Examinations and Interviews- (Semester 4)
Along with academic studies, dedicate time to prepare for competitive exams like NET/JRF, civil services, or state PSCs. Practice mock interviews and aptitude tests, focusing on both subject knowledge and general awareness relevant to geographical applications.
Tools & Resources
Previous year question papers, Online mock test series, Current affairs magazines and websites
Career Connection
Targeted preparation for competitive exams is paramount for securing stable and prestigious positions in government, public sector undertakings, and academia across India.
Program Structure and Curriculum
Eligibility:
- Bachelor''''s degree with Geography as a subject with 40% marks in aggregate or Bachelor''''s degree with 45% marks in aggregate (where Geography was not a subject in Graduation).
Duration: 2 years (4 semesters)
Credits: 80 Credits
Assessment: Internal: 25% (Inferred from common DDUGU pattern), External: 75% (Inferred from common DDUGU pattern)
Semester-wise Curriculum Table
Semester 1
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paper I | Geomorphology | Core | 4 | Earth''''s Interior and Isostasy, Endogenetic and Exogenetic Forces, Fluvial and Glacial Processes, Aeolian and Coastal Processes, Landform Evolution and Cycle of Erosion |
| Paper II | Climatology and Oceanography | Core | 4 | Atmospheric Composition and Structure, Insolation, Temperature and Pressure Systems, Air Masses, Fronts and Cyclones, Ocean Relief and Deposits, Ocean Currents, Tides and Salinity |
| Paper III | History of Geographical Thought | Core | 4 | Contributions of Greeks, Romans and Arabs, Renaissance and Age of Discoveries, German, French and British Schools of Thought, Dualisms and Dichotomies in Geography, Quantitative Revolution and Positivism |
| Paper IV | Quantitative Techniques in Geography | Core | 4 | Data Collection, Tabulation and Classification, Measures of Central Tendency, Measures of Dispersion, Skewness and Kurtosis, Correlation and Regression Analysis, Probability and Sampling Techniques |
| Paper V | Practical - Cartography and Map Projection | Practical | 4 | Scales and Map Reading, Representation of Relief Features, Mapping of Weather Data, Types of Map Projections, Construction and Properties of Projections |
Semester 2
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paper VI | Population Geography | Core | 4 | Population Growth and Distribution, Population Density and Composition, Population Theories and Policies, International and Internal Migration, Population Data Sources and Methods |
| Paper VII | Economic Geography | Core | 4 | Economic Activities and Sectors, Theories of Industrial Location, Resource Classification and Distribution, Agricultural Systems and Regions, Transport and Trade Patterns |
| Paper VIII | Social & Cultural Geography | Core | 4 | Concepts of Culture and Society, Cultural Hearths and Diffusion, Religion, Language and Race, Social Structure and Spatial Patterns, Human Adaptations to Environment |
| Paper IX | Regional Planning and Development | Core | 4 | Concepts of Region and Regionalization, Theories of Regional Development, Planning Process and Techniques, Growth Pole and Growth Centre, Backward Region Planning in India |
| Paper X | Practical - Research Methodology & Statistical Techniques | Practical | 4 | Research Design and Hypothesis Formulation, Sampling Methods and Data Collection, Measures of Association and Significance, Parametric Tests (t-test, ANOVA), Non-Parametric Tests (Chi-square, Rank Correlation) |
Semester 3
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paper XI | Urban Geography | Core | 4 | Urbanization and Urban Growth, Origin and Evolution of Towns, Urban Morphology and Structure, Functional Classification of Cities, Urban Problems and Planning |
| Paper XII | Agricultural Geography | Core | 4 | Agricultural Systems of the World, Theories of Agricultural Location (Von Thunen), Green Revolution and its Impacts, Crop Combinations and Diversification, Agricultural Regions of India |
| Paper XIII | Political Geography | Core | 4 | State, Nation and Nation-State, Frontiers, Boundaries and Geopolitics, Electoral Geography and Spatial Voting, Conflicts, Cooperation and Regionalism, Federalism and Devolution of Power |
| Paper XIV (Group A) | Environmental Geography | Elective | 4 | Concepts of Environment and Ecosystem, Environmental Degradation and Pollution, Climate Change and Global Warming, Environmental Policies and Governance, Sustainable Development and Conservation |
| Paper XV | Practical - Fieldwork & Survey Methods | Practical | 4 | Types of Surveys and Field Techniques, Questionnaire Design and Interview Techniques, Sampling Methods for Field Studies, Data Collection and Primary Data Sources, Report Writing and Presentation of Field Data |
Semester 4
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paper XVI | Geography of India | Core | 4 | Physiography and Drainage Systems of India, Climate, Soils and Natural Vegetation, Water and Mineral Resources, Agriculture, Industries and Population, Regional Disparities and Planning in India |
| Paper XVII | Resource Geography | Core | 4 | Concepts and Classification of Resources, Resource Depletion and Conservation, Sustainable Resource Development, Land, Water and Forest Resources, Mineral and Energy Resources Management |
| Paper XVIII (Group A) | Remote Sensing and GIS | Elective | 4 | Principles of Remote Sensing, Data Acquisition and Satellite Imagery, Image Interpretation and Analysis, GIS Concepts and Data Models, Spatial Analysis and GIS Applications |
| Paper XIX | Dissertation | Project | 4 | Problem Identification and Research Design, Literature Review and Hypothesis, Data Collection and Analysis Techniques, Report Writing and Referencing, Presentation and Defense of Research |
| Paper XX | Viva-Voce | Assessment | 4 | Defense of Dissertation, Comprehensive Geographical Knowledge, Research Methodology Understanding, Application of Geographical Concepts, Communication and Presentation Skills |
