School of Health and Life Sciences (SHLS)

Department of Environmental Science and Management (ESM)

Course Name: Introduction to Geography

Course Code: ENV 203/GEO 205
Sections/Class Room: Section: 11/12 (RA) Class Room: NAC 508/NAC 990
Semester: Summer 2023

INSTRUCTOR & DEPARTMENT INFORMATION

1. Instructor Name: Professor Dr. M. Nazrul Islam (Mzs)

2. Office Room: SAC 723
3. Student Consultation Hours: 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM (RA)
4. Office Phones: 00880255668200; 008801747013854
5. Email Address: mnazrul.islam@northsouth.edu
6. Department: Environmental Science and Management (ESM)
7. Virtual Classroom Link

COURSE & SECTION INFORMATION

Class Times & Locations Section 11 (RA) 8:00 AM–9:15/NAC 508 Section 12 (RA) 12:15 PM–1:30/SAC 990
Course/Credit Hours ENV 203/GEO 205 (3 Credit Hours)
Brief Course The course presents an integrated view of different geographical and environmental
Description aspects in Bangladesh.
Learning Objectives Geography lessons are designed to enable students to: • understand the basic
geographic concepts along with a particular reference to Bangladesh geography •
develop a sense of location at different scale, • use the fundamental ideas and concepts
of geography, • understand elements of physical and human geography and assess
the interaction between them, • understand regional differences and analyze their
causes, • understand the traditional themes of geography including the concept of an
integrated planet; the principles of spaces, scale and distributions; the idea of
landscape as the product of human-environment interplay; and the perspective of Earth
as a dynamic planet where geographic knowledge enables us to see our environment, its
opportunities, constraints and risks from a geographic perspective.

Student Learning Students will read, interpret, and generate maps and other geographic representations
Outcomes as well as extract, analyze, and present information from a spatial perspective.
Students will have a general understanding of physical geographic processes,
distribution of landforms and ecosystems, and the role of the physical environment on
human populations.
Students will have a general understanding of global human population patterns,
factors influencing the distribution and mobility of human populations including
 settlement and economic activities and networks, and human impacts on the physical
environment.
Students will be able to think in spatial terms to explain what has occurred in the past
as well as using geographic principles to understand the present and plan for the future.
Students will have a general understanding of how the physical environment,
human societies, and local and global economic systems are integral to the principles of
sustainable development.
Students will have a general understanding of the various theoretical and
methodological approaches in both physical and human geography.
Students will be able to present completed research, including an explanation of
methodology and scholarly discussion, both orally and in written form and,
wherever possible, utilize cartographic tools and other visual formats.

LEARNING RESOURCES AND TEXTBOOK(S)

Textbooks:

Haruner Rashid: Geography of Bangladesh, 1991, UPL, Dhaka.

Hugh Brammer: Land use and Land use Planning in Bangladesh, 2002, UPL, Dhaka.

Q K Ahmed, Nilufar Ahmad, and KB Sajjadur Rasheed, editors. Resource, Environment and Development
in Bangladesh- with particular reference to the Ganges, Brahmaputra and Meghna Basin, Academic
Publishers, 1994.

Arthur Getis, Judith Getis, Jerome D. Fellmann, Introduction to Geography, 8/e. Dubuque, IA: McGraw
Hill Publishers (2002).

Haruner Rashid. 1991. Geography of Bangladesh. The University Press Limited.

Matthews, J.A. and Herbert, D.T. 2008. Geography: A Very Short Introduction. Oxford University Press.

Other Readings:

More text and reference books on specific topics will be provided/recommended during class lectures.

TEACHING STRATEGY (Online, classroom, web-based courses and (DVD)

The course will combine lectures, discussions, and practical. This is not a straight lecture class, rather active
learning and student participation will be an essential component. Teaching materials, lecture presentations
and notes prepared by the course teacher and additional papers will be distributed during the course. The
course is evaluated by a series of class tests, group discussions and assignments.

ASSESSMENT STRATEGY AND GRADING SCHEME

Assessment Strategy %
Attendance and class participation 6+4 = 10
 Quiz (at least 3) 15
Assignment and Group Discussion 15
Midterm-1 15
Midterm-2 15
Final Examination 30

ATTENDANCE POLICY

NSU standard attendance policy will be followed.

QUIZ POLICY
At least three quizzes will be taken and average will be counted.

LATE ASSIGNMENT & PROJECT POLICY

Late assignment/project will be accepted only for an unusual situation.

GROUP DISCUSSION POLICY

A total of 6/7 students will form a group to discuss about a given topic during class time. At the end of each group
discussion two or more member(s) from each group (selected by the faculty) will present their findings. Since the
topics for the group discussions are mentioned in the course outline, it is expected that the students will have
adequate knowledge and information about the topics before coming for the session. Students should also submit
a plan explaining the division of work among group members for assignment/group discussion session.

EXAMS & MAKE UP POLICY

NSU standard policy will be followed.

CLASSROOM RULES OF CONDUCT

1. You may use your laptops in the class for class related work. Do not use your laptop for non-class related work
or in any manner that will be distracting to other students or the instructor.
2. Use of cell phones in class is not permitted.
3. In the classroom, exhibit appropriate behavior. Arriving late to class, inappropriate talking while class in
session, etc, negatively reflects on you.
4. Students are advised to frequently refer to the Student Handbook of North South University Academic
Integrity Policy:
School of Health and Life Sciences does not tolerate academic dishonesty by its students. At minimum,
students must not be involved in cheating, copyright infringement, submitting the same work in multiple
courses, significant collaboration with other individuals outside of sanctioned group activities, and fabrications.
Students are advised that violations of the Student Integrity Code will be treated seriously, with special attention
given to repeated offences.
Please refer to NSU Student Handbook, Sections: “Disciplinary Actions” and “Procedures and Guidelines”.
 COURSE CONTENTS AND EXAM SCHEDULE

Class No. Lecture No. Lecture Topics Exams

1&2 Lecture- 01 Themes, Concepts and Elements of Geography

3 Lecture- 02 Historical Development and Branches of Geography

4&5 Lecture- 03 Elements of Map, Scale and Time Zones

Quiz-01: MCQ [After the Quiz-01 a short lecture on Importance of
6 Lecture- 04 Quiz 1
GIS, GPS and RS Techniques]
7 Lecture- 05 Lithosphere, Hydrosphere, Atmosphere and Biosphere

8 Lecture- 06 Structure and Dynamics of the Earth’s Crust, Mantle, and Core

9 Lecture- 07 Plate Tectonics and Related Concepts

10 - Midterm 1 (Short Question + Creative Question/Broad Question) Midterm 1

11 & 12 Lecture- 08 Physiographic Divisions and Characteristics in Bangladesh

13 & 14 Lecture- 09 Agriculture and Agro-ecological Zones in Bangladesh

15 & 16 Lecture- 10 Land, Soil and Forest Resources of Bangladesh Quiz 2

17 Lecture- 11 Wetlands in Bangladesh

18 Lecture- 12 Importance of Wetlands in Bangladesh

19 Lecture- 13 River Systems in Bangladesh

20 - Midterm 2 (Short Question + Creative Question/Broad Question) Midterm 2

21 Lecture- 14 Coastal and Marine Resources in Bangladesh

22 Lecture- 15 Trends and Dynamics of Human Population

23 Lecture- 16 Energy and Mineral Resources in Bangladesh

Group Discussion/Assignment/Presentation
24 & 25 - Group Work
Group Assignment Submission and Presentation (Full Class Time)
26 Lecture- 17 Geography and Human Migration

27 Lecture- 18 Natural Hazard and Population Displacement Quiz 3

28 Lecture- 19 Global Warming and Climate Change: Concepts and Issues

29 Lecture- 20 Climate Change Impact in Bangladesh: Adaptation and Mitigation

30 Final Exam (As per NSU Schedule)

Note: The instructor reserves the right to make changes to the syllabus/exam system if necessary.
*Exam/Quiz/Group Work can be changed if necessary.