The earth’s heat budget; radiation, atmospheric and oceanic circulation system with their relationships. Introduction to the cycling of matter and energy in the ecosystems.

The purpose of the course is to introduce the students to the discipline of geography, location principles, patterns of interaction and spatial organization of human activities; World population, its distribution and pattern of growth, demographic characteristics of selected populations; fertility, mortality, and internal migration; Human settlement evolution patterns and functions; Inter-relationships between urban and rural settlement.

Quantity and numbers, rational and irrational numbers; roots; logarithms, scales; coordinates and graphs; degree and radians; trigonometric ratios; factors and scalars; bias linear functions; simultaneous equation; basic matrix; theory of probability; frequency distribution.

Chain and tape surveying, prismatic compass survey: plane table survey: leveling and theodolite survey. Field exercises.

Map reading; location, measurement of scale, conventional signs; representation and recognition of relief forms; analysis and interpretation of relief forms on maps; analysis and interpretation of cultural features on maps. Map representation of Geographic data; isoline maps, choropleth maps, dot maps, flow maps, proportional circles and squares. Graphic representation of Geographic data. Elements of aerial photographic study.

Analysis of selected problems, which man faces presently in his terrestrial habitat. Environmental resources; concept of resources, types of resources; Global distribution of selected resources at varying population densities and technology. Development of energy resources and alternatives; problems and prospects of energy resources.

Class field studies’ Familiarization of students with their Local environment covering Physical, socio-cultural and economic phenomena.

Environmental System; atmosphere, biosphere, hydrosphere and lithosphere; Current environmental issues, water, air, soil pollutions; other natural hazards; drought, flood, erosion, desertification and pest/diseases.

The composition and structure of the lithosphere and hydrosphere: Major rock types; distribution and significance of first order landforms of the earth. Faults, folds fracture, vulcanicity and earthquakes. Landforms produced by water and wind.

Some basic concepts of spatial organization; Patterns, Spatial structure, spatial interaction, comparative advantage etc.; Principles of classification of geographic phenomenon; typology and distribution of production systems; Location, spacing and growth of settlements; movement over space and transport networks, Land use typology.

Meaning and scope of Geomorphology; Nature of the Earth’s crust; Rocks; formation, types and rock cycle. Introduction to geomorphological concepts and processes; structure of landforms. The cycle of erosion within the context of drainage basin; Earthquakes and vulcanicity.

Climatology space and time scales; World pressure pattern; weather producing systems-air masses and fronts; cyclones and anti-cyclones; Tropical systems; Climatic classification; General circulation of the atmosphere; Man’s influence on climate.

The place of statistics in research; Data Description and characteristics; Discrete and continues variables; Frequency distributions and graphic presentation; Measures of central tendency and variability, methods of sampling; Spatial sampling, description of point pattern; Nearest neighbor analysis; Introduction to computer.

History of geographical thought in relation to the history of science; The role of theory in science and geography; Methods in natural and social sciences; Regional concept; Nature of problems in geographic research.

This course applies geographical analytical methods to the study of regional development in Nigeria. Identification of physical regions, the impact of colonialism and the process of independence, the problems of national integration, development, environmental, locational and economic influence; population and development; industry-scale; dual economics, role in development; transport; its role in development, illustrated from case studies of selected empires.

Examination of population data sources; Population structure; Growth and spatial distribution of population; Migration processes and consequences; The Nigerian population distribution, distribution patterns and their implication of man-land ratio; population-food problems etc.

The meaning and scope of soil Geography; Factors and Processes of soil formation; Soil classification; Local soil Study.

Brief history of map making; Techniques of map making; type of maps; Design and construction of physical and economic maps; Basic contour compilation; profiles; flow maps; pie graphs; Map projection and lettering techniques.

This course applies geographical analytical methods to the study of regional development in West Africa with emphasis on geology, soil and vegetation, people, their culture, history, System of Resource utilizations. Identification of physical regions, the impact of colonialism and the process of independence, the problems of national integration, development, environmental, locational and economic influence; population and development; industry-scale; dual economics, role in development; transport; its role in development, illustrated from case studies of selected countries.

Scope of biogeography, Biogeographical divisions of the earth. Plant succession and climate. The concept of ecosystem. Population dynamics and natural checks on numbers. Disturbed ecosystems, conservation of biogeographical resources. Field methods in vegetation studies and analysis indices of species structure in communities. Life form, relative abundance, sociability etc. Measurement of primary productivity and biomass. Field work and projects on vegetation studies.

Africa as a region; the physical background; the people; the States and historical antecedents; resources; economic activities; transportation; population; Urbanization; external relation; Major sub-regions.

Basic draughtmanship; conception; design and execution of map projections. Map interpretation; Computer cartography.

Urban geography: Concept, nature and scope; History of urbanism and trend in urbanization; Patterns of Urbanisation in developed and developing countries; Functional classification of cities: Quantitative and Qualitative Methods; The city, hinterlands and the classification of cities; Land use, values and zoning; Rural urban migration and squatter settlements; Urban Issues: problems of housing, slums, civic amenities (water and transport); Housing and urban renewal; Physical and social regulations; Urban infrastructure management.

Contemporary problems in Climatology; surface and atmospheric pollution; Climatic fluctuations and change; classification of climates and regional climatology; specifically, Arid and Semi-arid zones (Sudan and Sahel Savannah).

International Economy and Patterns of world trade; Free trade; Complementarity; transportation and Economic development; Third World economic development.

Eight to ten days (8-10) of intensive field studies designed to illustrate the application of techniques of geographical analysis.

Defining the Field – Nature and Scope; Sources and problems of data; Population Size, Distribution and Growth – Determinants and Patterns; Population Dynamics: Fertility, Mortality and Migration – Measures, Determinants and Implications. Population Composition and Characteristics – Age-Sex Composition; Rural and Urban Composition; Literacy and their trends since 1950; The Malthusian theory; Migration; World distribution; over and under population; population projections; population and development planning; regional and local studies.

Research techniques in physical and socio-economic geography; Questionnaire/interview schedule design; Methodology of administration; Area association; Network analysis.

Contemporary studies in geomorphology, geographical systems, cycles of erosion; slope evolution models; climatic geomorphology; continental drift and plates tectonics; paleo magnetism and seafloor spreading.

Contemporary problems; Ecological studies and issues; Deforestation and Desertification; Biota modifications.

Nature, concepts and scope; hierarchy of political territorial organization; Boundary; political integration of states. Geopolitics; Power analysis; Electoral geography

Nature and principles of hydrology; Occurrence of water and the world hydrological cycle; Systems approach to the hydrological cycle; the drainage basin as hydrological units and the related hydrological cycle.

Concept and practices of applied physical geography; System of Land classification and evaluation with special reference to integrated surveys. Remote sensing and other techniques of data collection and analysis; compilation of land water resources map; cost benefit analysis.

The course analyzes rural-urban settlement as parts of an interacting system of population distribution. The settlement processes and types from a variety of world regions are considered, with special emphasis on Nigeria. History of early urbanism; the industrial revolution and mass urbanization. Typologies and settlements; functions of villages and cities. Rural settlements and the organization of rural space. Locational principles, marketing and central places. Components of settlements; morphology and residents. Rural-urban relations. Field work forms a part of this course.

Six months’ industrial attachment at approved Industry, Ministry, Governmental or non-governmental organization; The experience acquired must be supported by reports and oral examination.

This course focuses attention on the current methodology and philosophy of geographic research. The course will examine the following: recent paradigm shifts within geography, the scientific approach to geographic research; quantification in geography; classification in geography; theories and models in geography.

Scope and limitation of the visual presentation of statistics; sources and manipulation of statistics for visual presentation; critical review of cartographic graphic and diagrammatic techniques; scale and error factors; Map design; Photographic aids in cartography. Introduction to computer cartography.

Differentiation of the developed world from the developing world. Distribution of incomes and standard of living. Comparison of the social, economic and political frameworks of the capitalist with those of the centrally planned economies of Eastern Europe and North America. Comparison of USA and Russia’s growth and performance in Agricultural, manufacturing and services. International trade and implications on world economy.

Concept of Region, Regional Development and Planning. The geographical bias of regional development viz. regional diversities, the focus on spatial processes; Central place theory, location theory, functional regionalism, growth pole and core periphery models.

A thematic approach focusing on a range of physical and human phenomena; Spatial patterns; Ecological Zones; Growth and distribution of population; natural resource base; agricultural production and marketing systems. Industrialization; transport development; internal and external exchange.

Definition of demographic terms; Demographic Data Evaluation: assessment of demographic data, detection of errors in population census and vital registration data and methods of reducing these errors. Demographic Estimation: the use of the stable, stationary and quasi-stable models in obtaining demographic parameters; Brass and other techniques for computing fertility and mortality, methods of constructing life tables. Population Projections, Population theories, Population trends and Policies.

This course is an independent research project. In the first semester, the student under the guidance of a supervisor is expected to formulate research a problem, review relevant literature and design appropriate methodology for the study. This will be assessed at the end of the semester.

The geographical environment; processes in the environments; Modifications; Landslides; flooding, desertification, human perception of hazards; Environmental management.

Nature and Scope; the geography of diseases; indices; vectors; biophysical factors; Population; Cultural practices and nutrition; World patterns; health and economic development; Waste disposal; Water supply and pollution; Contemporary trends; Regional studies; World Health Organization, Health delivery services; Rural and Urban health; Public health administration and Planning in Nigeria; Local studies.

Tropics as a distinct geomorphic region; Landforms of the humid and arid tropics with special reference to Africa, Nigeria surface/subsurface erosion and deposition; the management of tropical landscapes.

Nature and Scope; methods of hydrological investigation; water balance study; problems of hydrological instrumentation and measurement; concept of water resources; water resources development and conservation; droughts and floods; the Lake Chad basin.

Geological, Holocene and historical past climatic change in the contemporary past; arid/fluvial fluctuation; anthropogenic climatic change.

Nature and scope; Population structure and characteristic; fertility; mortality; population change theory; global and regional distribution, urbanization; migration; population policy and planning; basic demographic analysis; inferential issues.

Perspectives of industrial geography; Physical basis of industrialization; Operational models; spatial strategy of industrial development policies in selected regions.

Concept of development; measuring development; Spatial inequalities in development; The nature of rural development; Spatial rural reorganization for rural development; Strategy of rural development; examples from Britain, China and Tanzania; Critique of strategies of rural development in Nigeria.

This course applies geographical analytical methods to the study of regional development in Central Africa with emphasis on geology, soil and vegetation, people, their culture, history, System of Resource utilizations. Identification of physical regions, the impact of colonialism and the process of independence, the problems of national integration, development, environmental, locational and economic influence; population and development; industry-scale; dual economics, role in development; transport; its role in development, illustrated from case studies of selected countries.

Approaches to geographical methods and explanation in use today: environmental determinism as a basis for geographical explanation and the alternative possibilities school of thought; the concept of regional geography in the context of human and physical geography. Geographical explanation and theory in terms of the major schools of thought (The German, French, British, and Russian Schools), including a review of Nigerian geography.

Systematic Geography of Nigeria covering the currents issues of desertification, gully erosion, oil spillage, deforestation; Concept and models of River basin; City and community regions; migration flows, urban systems; Modernisation; development strategies.

Conceptual understanding of the terms development and under development. Nature of Third world under development; Poverty and income distribution; Production systems links with the international economy. Characteristics of Third world population; Geographical distribution of natural resources, human resources and technology. Agriculture, industrialization and education and man-power development; urbanization; International trade and transfer of natural and human resources.

Historical geography of Yobe. The physical and cultural landscapes. Landforms, climate and climatic change; Vegetation and soils. Settlements and population. Human activities: Pastoralism and cultivation of crops. Mineral exploitation; Transportation.

Arid Lands as distinct physical-cultural region; Human activities as focus. Future potential development of arid lands as solution to contemporary issues; The Sahel.

This course is a continuation of GEO 411. At this stage the student is expected to acquire and analyze appropriate research data. The ability of the students to organize and present the research materials in a well-articulated scientific format would be examined.

Nature of resources; Environmental systems; Resources and population; Management and conservation; Energy; Key metals; Pollution; Resources management in semi-arid environment; agro-forestry; water and range management.

Nature and Scope; hot deserts; sand formation and desert morphology; Major landforms and processes; dune morphology investigation on northern Nigeria.

Nature and scope; significance of fluvial geomorphology; fluvial processes in the wet and dry tropics with special reference to Africa, local studies in the fields; the Nigeria scenario.

Principles and problems-theme; Agricultural versus meteorological drought effects, micro-climatology of crops; evaporation factors, water budgets, instrumentation, field investigation based on the University meteorological station network.

The atmospheric ocean-interface; general circulation and ocean circulation systems; ocean influence on the earth environment; ocean basin topography; seafloor spreading and continental drift and plate tectonic; ocean survey instrumentation.

Agricultural systems and farm structures; nature of inputs; physical and biological aspects of crop selection; tropical crops; commercial versus subsistence agriculture in the tropics; agricultural location theory.

Scope and nature of transportation Geography; structure of transportation network; Spatial forces and processes in evolution of transport network; Structural analysis of transportation routes; Concept of transportation density.

This course applies geographical analytical methods to the study of regional development in East Africa with emphasis on geology, soil and vegetation, people, their culture, history, System of Resource utilizations. Identification of physical regions, the impact of colonialism and the process of independence, the problems of national integration, development, environmental, locational and economic influence; population and development; industry-scale; dual economics, role in development; transport; its role in development, illustrated from case studies of selected countries.

This course applies geographical analytical methods to the study of regional development in Southern Africa with emphasis on geology, soil and vegetation, people, their culture, history, System of Resource utilizations. Identification of physical regions, the impact of colonialism and the process of independence, the problems of national integration, development, environmental, locational and economic influence; population and development; industry-scale; dual economics, role in development; transport; its role in development, illustrated from case studies of selected countries.

This course applies geographical analytical methods to the study of regional development in North Africa with emphasis on geology, soil and vegetation, people, their culture, history, System of Resource utilizations. Identification of physical regions, the impact of colonialism and the process of independence, the problems of national integration, development, environmental, locational and economic influence; population and development; industry-scale; dual economics, role in development; transport; its role in development, illustrated from case studies of selected countries.