GEOG300: SIWES (6 CU) :
12 weeks (One Semester) of internship at 300 level during the second semester of the 300 level and the first semester of the 400 level. It is offered for 1 credit unit.GEOG301: RESEARCH METHOD (2 CU) :
This course introduces students to research design in Geography by looking at the Nature of research design: kinds and structure, common features/settings. Data sources, collection approaches and procedures in physical and human geography: Use of field for direct measurement; monitoring and sample data size; use of laboratory experiments; use and design of questionnaires, interviews, sampling procures and sample size. Design stages: Formulating problems; study design (exploratory and hypothesis testing); data collection and data analysis; description of results; interpretation and discussion of results; summary and conclusions referencing and appendices. Writing a report in Geographical research. Thesis layout and organization.Pre-requisite (GEOG205)
GEOG303: SOIL GEOGRAPHY (2 CU) :
Soil mineralogy with emphasis on silicate minerals. Soil biological and chemical characteristics. Soil humus, colloids, cation and anion exchange, pH, base saturation. Introduction to soil classification.Pre-requisite (GEOG203)
GEOG305: ECONOMIC GEOGRAPHY (2 CU) :
Scope and methods of economic geography. The location of agricultural activity theories and land use patterns. The principles of industrial location: principles and theories. Characteristics and effects of transportation networks on economic activities and development. Regional policy and planning. World economic regions and commodities. Economic geography of Nigeria - case studies of selected industries.Pre-requisite (GEOG201)
GEOG307: FIELD COURSE (2 CU) :
Undergraduates take regular field-study during the inter-semester long vacation, for up to a fortnight in some parts of the northern states, especially the Jos Plateau, the Mambila Plateau, the South Chad Basin wetlands or the Upper Niger River Basin (Minna axis). This gives them a chance to carry out field work in the interpretation of many and varied kinds of geographical sources and methods of geographical analysis. These may range from maps, photographs, and historical documents to techniques of surveying and the analysis of statistical data. At the 300 level students are taken outside the Zaria environment for a more intensive field study lasting up to a fortnight during which students are taught field techniques for solving simple geographical problems, data collecting and data handling. Students are expected to develop their final year research interests during the course of this field study. The field course is therefore compulsory.Pre-requisite (GEOG207)
GEOG309: BIOGEOGRAPHY (2 CU) :
Vegetation types and plant community. Factors influencing floral and faunal distribution at various scales. The concept of ecosystem. The structure and functioning of terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. Vegetation changes through time, adaptation, succession and climax.Pre-requisite (GEOG204)
GEOG311: CLIMATOLOGY (2 CU) :
Precipitation – types, characteristics, theories of formation etc. evaporation, evapotranspiration and potential evapotranspiration. Weather producing system – air masses and fronts; mid-latitude characteristics. West African climate – characteristics and governing mechanisms. Climatic classification. Climate variability and change. Meteorological instrumentation.Pre-requisite (GEOG204)
GEOG313: GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEM (2 CU) :
The course is designed to examine the definition of GIS, its significance for spatial data design creation and management. The course also examines the interrelated disciplines that enhance data collection and analysis as well as the past, present and future of the discipline. Keywords are definitions, principles, elements and instrument.Pre-requisite (GEOG206)
GEOG315: TRANSPORTAION GEOGRAPHY (2 CU) :
Conceptual development of Transport Geography. Basis of spatial interaction (review of Ullman’s Triad, review of the gravity model and its applications). Network Analysis. Graph theoretical methods as applied to the connectivity of Transportation systems (Nodal accessibility Matrix and the valued graph approach. Accessibility – Gamma index, Alpha index, Beta index, Cyclomatic number. Transport and Regional development – case studies from Africa, Europe and South America, Ports and Hinterlands; Environmental assessment of transport development; Quantitative techniques in Transportation Planning, Application of regression analysis in transportation planning – Application of Mathematical Programming in transportation planning – with case studies and actual applications.Pre-requisite (GEOG205)
GEOG317: GEOMORPHOLOGY (2 CU) :
Denudation processes, mass movement; slopes, slope development and morphology. Volcanoes and landforms; Aeolian and coastal landform developments.Pre-requisite (GEOG203)