Physical Geography (B.A Geography)

Origin of the earth, interior of the earth, landforms, atmosphere, climate and oceans.

6 MonthsDuration 5Chapters26Topics

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Syllabus · पाठ्यक्रम

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01Unit 1: Earth - Origin and Interior 5 topics

Nature and scope of physical geography
Theories of origin of the earth - Nebular hypothesis, Big Bang
Geological time scale
Interior of the earth - crust, mantle, core
Sources of knowledge of the interior - seismic waves

02Unit 2: Geomorphology - Endogenic Forces 5 topics

Continental drift theory - Wegener
Sea-floor spreading and plate tectonics
Isostasy - Airy and Pratt
Earthquakes and volcanoes
Folding and faulting; mountain building

03Unit 3: Geomorphology - Exogenic Processes and Landforms 5 topics

Rocks - igneous, sedimentary, metamorphic
Weathering and mass wasting
Cycle of erosion - W.M. Davis
Fluvial, glacial, aeolian and coastal landforms
Karst topography

04Unit 4: Climatology 6 topics

Composition and structure of the atmosphere
Insolation and heat budget
Temperature distribution and inversion
Pressure belts and planetary winds; monsoon and local winds
Humidity, condensation and types of rainfall
Air masses, fronts and cyclones; Koppen's classification

05Unit 5: Oceanography 5 topics

Relief of the ocean floor
Temperature and salinity of ocean water
Ocean currents of the Atlantic, Pacific and Indian Oceans
Tides - types and theories
Coral reefs and marine deposits

About

You will be able to

Explain the theories of the origin of the earth and the interior structure of the earth
Describe continental drift, plate tectonics, earthquakes and volcanoes
Explain rocks, weathering and landforms made by rivers, glaciers, wind and sea waves
Describe the composition and structure of the atmosphere, insolation, pressure belts and winds
Explain humidity, precipitation, air masses, cyclones and climatic classification
Describe ocean relief, temperature, salinity, currents and tides

Who it is for

B.A Geography students of Semester 1 (UP state universities, NEP 2020 syllabus)
UPSC / UPPSC, TGT/PGT and NET aspirants (Physical Geography)
Learners interested in how the earth works

What you need

Intermediate (10+2) pass in any stream; Geography at 12th level is helpful

Questions

Which syllabus is followed?

The NEP 2020 common minimum syllabus of UP state universities. Where your university's syllabus differs, the centre follows your own university syllabus.

Are diagrams taught?

Yes, students practise the standard diagrams - interior of the earth, pressure belts, landforms and ocean floor - for exam answers.

Does it help in UPSC?

Yes, physical geography is a regular part of UPSC Prelims and GS-I.