phd in geography from iit

Centre for Urban Science and Engineering

Indian institute of technology bombay, ph.d. programme, admission details 2023-24.

Admissions for Ph.D. Programme 2023 (New)

ELIGIBILITY FOR ADMISSION First Class or 60% marks (55% marks for SC/ST), as specified in the General Eligibility Criterion, in the qualifying degree with any one of the following:

i. M.Tech./M.E./ 2­year MBA (following B. Tech/B.E or equivalent) or equivalent degree in any branch of Engineering/Medicine consistent with the research areas of the Centre      OR Master’s degree in Architecture, Urban Planning, or equivalent degree consistent with the research areas of the Centre

ii. B.Tech./B.E./MBBS or equivalent degree in any branch of Engineering/medicine consistent with the research areas of the Centre*      OR Bachelor’s degree in Architecture, Urban Planning, or related disciplines*      OR M.Sc./MA/ MBA (following B.Com/B.Sc. or equivalent) or equivalent degree in Environmental Sciences, Energy Sciences, Geography, Social Sciences, Economics, Applied Mathematics, Statistics, or related disciplines*.

For qualifying degree listed under ii, candidates must also fulfil ONE of the following additional requirements : 1. Valid GATE/CEED score (for TA/TAP/RA/RAP) 2. Selected through National Eligibility Test – UGC NET including lectureship (Assistant Professorship) 3. A valid CSIR/UGC/DBT JRF or a valid ICMR JRF not linked to ICMR project (for FA)/BINC any fellowship that will provide scholarship for 5 years. 4. Experience as specified earlier in A.5 and A.6 (for CT, EX, IS, PS, SF, SW category) 5. Selected through a National level examination conducted by MHRD or its agencies/Institutions such as UGC/ IIT/ IISc./ IISER/IIIT etc.

* Minimum of TWO years of professional experience relevant to the research areas of the Centre (acquired after obtaining the qualifying degree and completed before the starting of the semester in which admission is sought)

Additional Information:

Course Work and Minimum CPI

The course requirement for a student joining PhD programme with M Tech/ME or equivalent or master’s degree in Architecture, Urban Planning, or equivalent as qualifying degree will be 2 courses and one seminar. Thus, the minimum credit requirement for such students would be 16.

Students joining PhD programme with B. Tech./B.E. or Bachelor’s degree in Architecture, Urban Planning, or related disciplines or M.Sc. or M.A as qualifying degree need to complete minimum of 44 credits. However, in view of Rule 4.2 (of rules and regulations of PhD programme), the minimum credit requirement in case of students with M.Sc./M.A. or equivalent as qualifying degree may be reduced to 34 with the approval of CPGC up on the recommendation of the supervisor.

Every PhD student must maintain a minimum CPI of 7.0 in the course work to continue in the PhD programme.

For the confirmation of a candidate’s PhD registration, a two-stage qualifier as per the following details is recommended. 

Stage-1: The “credit seminar” will form Stage-1. This should be completed before the end of the first semester of joining. The credit seminar should be oriented towards formulation of the research proposal. It should include identification of the research topic and its importance, literature review and appraisal of current state-of-the-art, gaps in the area and motivation of the proposed work.

The panel of examiners for credit seminar evaluation should involve at least two faculty members in addition to the supervisor. If the grade earned is BC or less, then the candidate should be asked to repeat the seminar again within 3 months. This repeat seminar will not have any credits associated with it; however, if found unsatisfactory then the candidate should be given a final warning that the next stage i.e., PhD Qualifier Examination would be the last chance for continuation of PhD. These inputs will be passed on to the PhD Qualifier Committee.

Stage-2 : A “PhD Qualifier Examination” will form the Stage-2 of the qualifier. This should be conducted before the end of the second semester of joining. This PhD Qualifier Examination will be a oral examination conducted for evaluation of candidate’s aptitude towards carrying out the proposed research work. The knowledge of the candidate in the basic subject areas of the proposed research will be tested by the examiners in the PhD Qualifier Examination. The examination board for this will be named as “PhD Qualifier Committee” consisting of the research supervisor of the candidate and two relevant subject experts. The constitution of this committee needs to be approved by Centre PGC,

If the PhD Qualifier Examination is unsatisfactory and the candidate has cleared the Stage-1 in 1 st attempt, then the candidate should be asked to give repeat PhD Qualifier Examination within 3months. This repeat PhD Qualifier Examination would be the last chance for continuation of PhD.

If the PhD Qualifier Examination is unsatisfactory and the candidate has cleared the Stage-1 in 2 nd attempt then the candidate will have to discontinue. There will not be any repeat PhD Qualifier Examination in this case.  

The confirmation of the PhD program should be done after successful completion of the above two stages of assessment. The entire process of confirmation (i.e., course work and qualifier) should be completed within a maximum time of 1 year 3 months from the date of joining of the Ph.D. scholar.

*Phd Qualifier Requirement for students converting from MTech program to PhD

MTech student should have minimum BB or more in seminar and CPI of 7 or more in coursework for conversion into MTech – PhD dual degree programme. Such students have to clear only the stage 2 qualifier examination for confirmation of their registration. The student must appear for PhD qualifier examination within 6 months of the date of conversion from MTech to PhD and should complete it within a maximum period of 9months from the date of conversion.

Department of Civil Engineering,

Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur

Welcome The Engineering Geosciences Group in the Civil Engineering Department at IIT Kanpur offers several undergraduate level courses and post-graduate programmes that includes M.Tech. and Ph.D. in Engineering Geosciences for the past 25 years. The major objective of this group is to utilize the expertise in earth sciences, such as active tectonics, climate change and response of earth systems, geomorphology, remote sensing, paleoseismology, geochemistry of sediments, mantle evolution, paleoclimate, sedimentology and environmental geology within the Geosciences Group to prepare a modern breed of geoscientists. The Geosciences Laboratory is well-equipped with modern facilities. The faculty members and students are involved in high quality research in Geosciences.     Some useful links related to Geosciences:

1. Exploring Earth Visualizations

2. Resources for Earth Sciences and Geography Instruction 3. World of Geology 4. Incorporated Research Institutions for Seismology 5. Alphabetized Earth Science Animations

© 2013 | Civil Engineering | IIT Kanpur | For further details contact Dr. Javed N Malik | This Website is designed by Anshu Malini and Jyoti Chandra [Best viewed in IE 6+ and Firefox]  

PhD Program in Humanities and Social Sciences at IITs

• April 5, 2022
• PhD Program

  The Department of Humanities & Social Sciences at various IITs offers a Ph.D. program in different academic disciplines such as English, Economics, Philosophy, Psychology and Sociology, Fine Arts, Linguistics, Policy, History, Archaeology, Political Science, Geography, Development Studies, etc. The Department’s curricula aligned with its academic vision aim to cultivate critical and innovative thinking and impart training required to carry out the highest level of multi-disciplinary research. To fulfill its teaching and research goals, the Department has competent faculty members in diverse areas who keep pace with the current developments in their fields of specialization.

Apart from the facilities made available to all students at the Institute level, at the department level, the students have access to the resources available in the Department’s Library, Computer Labs, etc. The departments also house teaching laboratories such as Language laboratory, Behavioural and Cognitive Science laboratory, Econometrics laboratory, Psychology laboratory, and more. These laboratories help students improve their language and communication skills, train students in subjects like psychology and other allied behavioral sciences, etc. A good library is always the nucleus of a vibrant research ethos. These Departments have their own library with an outstanding collection of books and journals that help strengthen the research of students and faculty members.

Research Areas in Humanities & Social Sciences at IITs

Research in Humanities & Social Sciences at IITs covers all the areas of English, Philosophy, Psychology, Sociology, Fine Arts, etc. The core areas of research are:

Cognitive Linguistics, Pragmatics, American Literature, Critical and Literary Theory, Postcolonial Theory and Literature, Indian literature and literary theory, Translation Studies, Literary Censorship, Postmodern Theory and Literature, The Anthropocene Literature, Climate Fiction, and Cli-Fi Films, Cyberpunk and Biopunk, Critical Theory, Cybercriticism, Ecocriticism, Language Documentation And Description, Linguistic Typology, Historical Linguistics, Postcolonial Literature, Indian Writings in English, Life Writings, English Language Teaching, Applied Cognitive Linguistics, Curriculum, and Syllabus Design, Linguistics, Language Variation, History of Film Theory, Aesthetic Politics, World Cinema, Critical Theory

Visual and Media Arts, Design, Visual Culture, Frugal Innovation, Visual thinking, Art history, Graphic Art, Painting, Studio Art practices, Art History, Art Appreciation, Visual Culture, Cinema Studies, New-Media & Mixed-Media Art, Calligraphy, Oil Painting, Sculpture

  Philosophy

Logic, Formal Epistemology, General Philosophy of Science, Philosophy of Cognitive Science, Aesthetics, Philosophy and Literature, Phenomenology, Existentialism, Hermeneutics, Gandhi Studies, Ethics, Social and Political Philosophy, Philosophy of Mind, Evolutionary Epistemology, Philosophy of Science (Biology), Cognition, Creativity

Health Psychology, Social Representations, Illness Narratives, Social Cognition, Organizational Cognition, Cognitive Neuropsychology, Affective Processes, Psychological Assessment, Trauma Psychology, Applied Social Psychology, Disaster Mental Health, Qualitative Methodology, Cognitive Psychology, Cognitive Science, Cognitive Science, Embodied Cognition, Action, Agency, and Self

Social Demography, Rural Development, Social Statistics, Sociology of Science and Technology, Sociology of Development, Social Movements, Human Rights, Social Movements, Law and Governance, Sociology of Religion, Sociology of Law, Economic Sociology, Sociology of Work, New Media Studies (identification, everyday use), Social Geography, Sociology of Money, Environmental Sociology, Social Network Analysis

The Department of Humanities & Social Sciences at the Indian Institutes of Technology in Delhi , Bombay , Madras , Kanpur , Kharagpur , Roorkee , and Guwahati provides an outstanding research environment complemented by excellence in teaching. All other IITs also offer excellent research programs in Humanities & Social Sciences.

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Doctoral Program

Phd admission information autumn 2024-25.

Application process for admission in Ph.D. programme for the Autumn  2024-2025 session has commenced. Please check the  IITB admissions   website and the   PhD information brochure  for details.

The interview (for the shortlisted candidates) will be conducted at the IDP in Climate Studies, IIT Bombay. The interview will likely cover fundamental questions from the courses you have taken in your Bachelor’s or Master’s program and/or from the project work you did during your Bachelor’s or Master’s program and/or your research interests.

Candidates are advised to find the topics/research projects offered by the faculty members for the current round of intake. Candidates are required to submit a research proposal based on their research interests under “statement of purpose” in the application form. A research proposal template can be viewed   here   for reference.

The interview dates are 10-11 May 2024 for this round PhD admission. Please see  Message from HoD

Research interests of the IDPCS faculty members interested in recruiting in this round of PhD admission are provided below. The candidates are encouraged to contact the faculty members based on their research interests. 

Check the    IITB Ph.D. Admission for application materials, application deadlines and advertisement for more information.

Eligibility criteria for students applying for PhD in IDPCS

• M.Tech./M.E. or equivalent degree in Aerospace Engineering, Atmospheric Science, Chemical Engineering, Civil/Construction Engineering, Computer Science Engineering/Information Technology, Electrical/Instrumentation Engineering, Energy Science & Engineering, Environmental Science/Engineering/Management, Mechanical Engineering, Resource Engineering, Geoinformatics, Agricultural Engineering, Materials Engineering, Mining Engineering, or any other related Engineering discipline. M.Des./M.Arch./M.Planning or equivalent degree. M.Phil (2-year) or equivalent degree in Social Sciences (Economics, Geography, Sociology, Planning etc.) M.Mgt./MBA or equivalent degree. Or,
•  M.Sc/MA or equivalent degree in Atmospheric Science, Chemistry, Earth Science, Energy Science, Environmental Science, Geophysics, Physics, Social sciences  (Economics, Geography, Sociology, Planning etc.) or any other related discipline with CSIR/UGC JRF or Minimum of 2 years of professional experience (acquired after obtaining the qualifying degree and completed before the starting of the semester in which admission is sought) or  DST INSPIRE Fellowship or  valid GATE score.  Or,
• B.E./B.Tech. or equivalent degree in Aerospace Engineering, Atmospheric Science, Chemical Engineering, Civil/Construction Engineering, Computer Science Engineering/Information Technology, Electrical/Instrumentation Engineering, Energy Science & Engineering, Environmental Science/Engineering/Management, Mechanical Engineering, Resource Engineering, Geoinformatics, Agricultural Engineering, Materials Engineering, Mining Engineering, or any other related Engineering discipline, with valid GATE score or Minimum of 2 years of professional experience (acquired after obtaining the qualifying degree and completed before the starting of the semester in which admission is sought).

Research interests of the IDPCS faculty members interested in recruiting in this round of PhD admission are provided below. 

Name of faculty broad research interests/topics akshaya c. nikumbh climate and weather extremes, south asian summer monsoon, large-scale atmospheric dynamics, tropical convection anand b rao climate mitigation policy, energy transition, perceptions and responses angshuman modak climate change & variability, tropical precipitation, monsoon response to climate change, climate modeling, climate engineering debabrata maiti ccus, sustainability, co2 to medicine eldho t.i. climate change impacts on urban hydrology and agriculture watersheds eswar rajasekaran sustainable agriculture and water management, sustainable urban living conditions harish c. phuleria ghgs/ aerosol emissions | urban india j. indu radar meteorology karthikeyan lanka hyper-resolution land surface modeling for farm-scale soil moisture estimation manas behera sustainable coastal infrastructure in a changing climate manne janga reddy climate change impacts on hydrological extremes, drought management, hydrological modeling, water security, water resources management manoranjan sahu aerosol/air pollution engineering manoranjan sahu aerosol/air pollution engineering/ai/ml application in air pollution engineering pradip kalbar climate resilience and adaptation planning for cities s. ravichandran (1) extreme precipitation / early warnings. (2) fluid dynamics subimal ghosh early warning system for improved climate services vishal dixit monsoon dynamics : modeling tropical clouds and convection yogendra shastri food-energy-water-climate nexus; decarbonization and energy transition raaj ramsankaran remote sensing of cryosphere; glacier evolution modelling; geohazards such as snow avalanches/landslide risk assessment.

IDPCS address and interview venue-

IDP in Climate Studies, 3rd Floor, Rahul Bajaj Technology Innovation Centre (RBTIC), Next to Monash Building,

Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, Powai, Mumbai – 400 076 (Maharashtra), India

Please see the map for the location. IDPCS is located in the same building as the Department of Economics.

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The curricula of the department aligned with its academic vision aim to cultivate critical and innovative thinking and impart training required to carry out highest level of multi- disciplinary research.

The PhD program consists of both full time and part time students. Currently, the department houses almost 200 research scholars. The HUSS department at IIT Delhi has over the years become a highly attractive place for pursuing doctoral studies as it provides outstanding academic training, both in teaching and research, to students.

Please check http://hss.iitd.ac.in/areas for up to date list of areas in PhD program.

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We encourage international students to apply for the IIT Bombay institute TA fellowships for our PhD programs. More details about this can be found at " Scholarship for Foreign PHD Students ".

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PhD Programme

The award of the Ph.D. degree is in recognition of high achievements, independent research and application of scientific knowledge to the solution of technical and scientific problems. Creative and productive inquiry is the basic concept underlying the research work. The details of research programmes in various Departments/Centres/Schools.

Course work and other academic requirements: In order to overcome any deficiency in the breadth of fundamental training or proper foundation for advanced work, special make up or pre-doctoral courses are given by each Department/ Centre. These courses are given either by faculty member or by guest speakers and specialists in the profession. Normally candidates having a B.Tech./M.Sc./M.A. or equivalent degree are required to complete a minimum of 12* credits with a minimum required GPA of 7.5. M.Tech or equivalent degree holders are required to complete a minimum of 6* credits with a minimum required GPA of 7.5.

*A Department/Centre may specify a higher credit requirement for all their PhD programmes and/or require an individual scholar to complete a larger number of credits based on his/her background and preparation level.

Admission to the PhD Programmes: Admission to the Ph.D. programmes is normally made on the basis of an interview conducted by the Department/Centre concerned through its Department Research Committee (DRC) / Centre Research Committee (CRC). DRC/CRC may decide to conduct a written test as well to screen the candidates. Applications are invited from candidates by advertising the programmes in Employment News/leading newspapers in March for the first semester and in October for the second semester every year.

Admission schedule: Normally, Ph.D. programmes are advertised in the month of March and October each year in the Employment news as well as in leading newspapers and admissions are carried out in the months of May and December. Further, admission to Ph.D programme is possible any time in the year through DRC/CRC. Ph.D. scholars can join the institute at any time of the year though the course registration will be possible only at the beginning of the subsequent semester. Such candidates must also fulfill the required academic qualification/ experience at the time of interview. They must join the institute within 4 weeks after the issue of admission offer unless specifically permitted otherwise. Admission is subject to vacancy being available in the relevant specializations.

Duration of the programmes: Minimum period of registration required for students with M.Tech. or equivalent qualifications is 2 years whereas those with B.Tech. or equivalent qualifications is 3 years. All candidates are allowed a maximum of 7 years for submission of their thesis.

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PhD Geography Colleges, Admission Process, Entrance Exams, Syllabus, Job Profiles, Scope, Salary 2024

Waqar Niyazi

Content Curator

PhD Geography is a research based doctoral course in Geography which is devoted to the study of lands, features, inhabitants and phenomena of the earth & planets. The minimum duration of a PhD Geography course is 3 years, but can be extended depending on research duration. 

The basic eligibility for this course is completing Post Graduation in Geography from a recognized university. Though minimum marks required vary from college to college, most of the reputed colleges demand minimum 55% marks in their masters’ degree and a minimum of 60% marks in their graduation.

Table of Content

PhD Geography Course Highlights

Phd geography: what is it about.

2.1  Why Study?

• PhD Geography Admission Process

3.1  Eligibility Criteria

3.2  Entrance Exams

3.3  How to Get Admission into a Top PhD Geography College?

• PhD Geography Top Colleges

4.1  College Comparison

• PhD Geography Syllabus
• Course Comparison
• PhD Geography Job Profiles

7.1  Future Scopes

PhD Geography: FAQs

A student seeking admission to a PhD Geography course shall have to clear the entrance examinations like UGC-NET, CSIR-UGC-NET, etc. The students who have passed the entrance test shall have to appear for an interview to be organized by the department concerned.

The average fees for PhD Geography ranges between INR 2,000 to 5,00,000 while the exact fees vary from college to college.PhD Geography includes subjects like Geomorphology, Oceanography, Geography of Transport & Trade, Biogeography, Political Geography etc. The candidates will have to research on any one of the topics of their choice and submit the thesis. 

After completing this course, the candidates can find jobs as Water Conservation specialist, Geomorphologist, Geospatial analyst, Hydrologist, Oceanographer, Geographer, Professor, Teachers, etc. 

The average starting salary after completing this course generally lies between INR 4,00,000 to INR 8,00,000 depending on the skills of the candidates.

Given below are the major highlights of the PhD Geography Course. 

• A student studies Geography to understand that the earth is changing. They scientifically and analytically think about why it is changing.
• To understand the geography of past times and how geography has played an important role in the evolution of people, their ideas, places and environments.
• In this course, students get to learn about all the factors of Earth and its land distribution, research about areas and regions, type of lands, earth science and much more.
• Modules may include topics on rivers, sustainability, environmental modelling, the physical environment, the politics of climate change, the making of the modern city, political geography and geopolitics, economic geography, coastal and estuarine environments, environmental hazards and energy resources.
• This course will help the students to understand where things are found, why they are there, and how they develop and change over time.

Why Should You Study PhD Geography Course?

• Geography has been shown to be one of the most employable subject as Geography students have a wide scope in both Government Sector and Private Sector Jobs. 
• Right now, the largest demand might be for geographers with training in geographic information system.
• If you care about geography education and want to see it strengthened and supported at all levels, studying geography creates an awareness of place. 
• More importantly, understanding geography helps us make sense of current and historical events, whether of economic, political, or social importance.
• We become better critical thinkers knowing this information. Geography pervades just about every aspect of our lives.

What is the Admission Process for PhD Geography Course?

Admission to PhD Geography can be either merit based or entrance based. The admission procedure is briefly discussed below. 

Merit Based Admission 

• A student seeking admission to PhD. in Geography course shall apply on a prescribed form.
• Admission to the PhD degree course is open once in the year i.e. (September/ October).

Entrance Based Admission 

• Admission to the programme is done through entrance examination as well. Students will have to  pass the entrance examination in the relevant subject to get admission to the course. 
• The concerned Department Committee may give exemption for PhD entrance test and course work to a deserving candidate.
• If a candidate holds a PhD degree in a related subject from a recognized university, he/she may be exempted from entrance tests and coursework for admission to PhD.
• Shortlisted candidates shall appear for an Interview to be organized by the Department concerned.
• The final round of selection is the interview. If you clear the interview, then you will be able to study a PhD Geography. You will be assigned to a research guide who will help you complete your degree in due course of time.

Documents Required:

• Migration Certificate
• Passing/Degree certificate of the last qualifying degree examination.
• Mark-list of the last qualifying degree examination
• Character certificate (from the head of the Institute from which the student has obtained his qualifying degree).
• Documentary proof for date of birth.
• Gap certificate (if applicable)
• Research proposal
• No objection certificate from the employer (if employed) 

What is the Eligibility Criteria for Admission to PhD Geography Course?

You must hold a master’s degree in Geography in order to be part of this course.

• The student must obtain a minimum of 55% marks in their master’s degree and a minimum of 60% marks in their graduation.
• The above two criteria are the basic requirements for the students who wish to study this PhD Geography.
• The next important requirement is that a student must clear either UGC or CSIR NET in order to be a part of this course. This requirement is mandatory. Any student not fulfilling this, will not be called for the PhD Interview.

Which are the Top Entrance Exams for Admission to PhD Geography Course?

Some of the top Entrance Exams for admission to PhD Geography have been discussed below. 

For the entrance test there would be two papers i.e. paper I and paper II.

• Paper I would be General aptitude test of 100 marks & paper II  would be subject wise of 100 marks.General Aptitude Test will have 50 questions with multiple choice covering Research & Teaching Aptitude, Logical thinking, General Comprehension.
• Second written test will pertain to the subject to the Department concerned & the test shall be of 100 marks i.e. 30 marks for objective type exam and 70 marks for Descriptive type exam.
• The students must have a concrete idea about what to study and the type of questions to be asked in the examination. 
• Most entrance tests have a duration of 2-3 hours and the questions given are of both subjective and objective type. 
• The candidates should have a clear idea of their concerned subject (Geography) upto the topics taught at the PG Level. 
• The candidates must practice sample papers daily. They should also try to complete these papers within a stipulated time limit. 

How to Get Admission into a Top PhD Geography College?

• Your percentage in graduation should be minimum 60% and in Post graduation should be 55%  from any recognized  university throughout the country. 
• Along with this your entrance exams rank should lie in the cut-off list of the specific college in which you have given the entrance exam.  
• So, your rank should be very good only then the students can be able to take admissions in a good college.
• It is also very important for students to be prepared both mentally and physically for further rounds after the entrance test i.e. counselling and interview.  They need not to be stressed while preparing for the examination. 
• Candidates are also advised to keep a track of all the important events related to the admission process so that they never miss any deadline. 
• Aspirants are advised to practice as many sample papers and previous year question papers as they can in order to score really well in the entrance examination. 
• Candidates should watch out for the best colleges to pursue the PhD course and move ahead with their preparation accordingly. 

Which are the Top Colleges for PhD Geography?

Listed below are some of the best institutes in India that offers Ph.D in Geography:

Source: College Websites 

PhD Geography in IITs

• The Earth Sciences department of many IITs in India provide research opportunities for PhD Geography scholars. 
• The admission to the research based course is given on the basis of Entrance Exam Scores followed by Personal Interview. 
• The eligibility criteria for most of the IITs is minimum 60% marks at the postgraduate level. 
• The students will need to have a clear idea of the research they will be conducting, so that they can impress the selection panel. 
• The duration and fees of the course depends on the duration of the research and topic of research chosen. 

PhD Geography in IGNOU

• PhD Geography is offered by Indira Gandhi National Open University, Delhi. 
• The course duration is between 3 - 5 years. 
• The average annual fees for the program is INR 1,000.
• The eligibility criteria for admission is minimum 55% marks in Post Graduate level. 

College Comparison for PhD Geography

Source: Course Websites 

Which Subjects are Taught in the PhD Geography course?

Syllabus of  Ph.D in Geography  as prescribed by various Universities and Colleges.

Main subjects covered in the discipline are:

PhD Geography vs PhD Geology

Both PhD Geography and PhD Geology are almost similar courses except for a few differences. These two courses have been compared in the table given below. 

Go through the full list of top PhD Geology colleges in India . 

What are the Job Profiles and Career Options Available to the PhD Geography Candidates?  

There are many jobs available for PhD Geography Candidates. The candidates can work as Cartographer, Environmental Consultant, Geographical Information System Officer, Planning & Development Surveyor, Teachers and Professors, etc.

Salaries offered to PhD Geography Candidates for some of these job profiles are listed in the table below. 

What are the Future Scopes for PhD Geography Candidates?

• A PhD in Geography offers more research and educational opportunities. You  can take geography classes, and may be able to choose a specific area of concentration.
• If you want to teach geography at the college level, a PhD can help you in achieving your goal.
• You will also have more opportunities to perform and head research studies with a doctorate degree.
• You might also work as a meteorologist, environmental consultant, cartographer, urban planner, geography writer or climatologist.
• You can work as a researcher in various government labs and organisations. 

Ques. What can I do with a PhD Geography degree?

Ans . You can grab jobs in the areas like Geography Departments, Health & Social Work, Divinity, Hotels & Restaurants, Insurance Industry, Public Service, Research, Public Administration, Retail Sector Student Affairs, and Teaching etc.

Ques. What is the average salary for jobs after a PhD Geography degree?

Ans . A PhD Geography candidate receives an average salary of INR 4,00,000 to 8,00,000 per annum.

Ques.  Is there any scope of PhD Geography degree?

Ans . The scope of Geography is very wide, people with a fairly good knowledge of geography are required by the meteorological department & other departments related to predicting the climate & weather conditions

Ques. What are the top colleges of PhD Geography degree?

Ans . Presidency College, Aligarh Muslim University, Jamia Milia Islamia, University of Mumbai, University of Calcutta etc

Ques. How can I crack the entrance exam to take admission in a PhD Geography degree course?

Ans . You should upgrade observation & visualization, you should improve speed, Try to solve maximum sample papers.

Ques. What are the top entrance exams for a PhD Geography course?

Ans . JNU PhD entrance exam, Symbiosis PhD entrance exam, UGC NET exam, AIMA PhD entrance exam etc

Ques. What are the subjects we have to study in the PhD Geography course?

Ans . This course includes subjects like Geomorphology, Oceanography, Geography of Transport & Trade, Biogeography, Political Geography etc.

Ques.  What is the duration of a PhD Geography course?

Ans . The minimum duration for completion of PhD Geography Course is 3 years, but it can be extended further. 

Ques. What is the basic admission process of a PhD Geography course?

Ans .  Entrance test and direct interviews of the shortlisted candidates.

Ph.D. (English)

Ph.d. (economics), ph.d. (history), m.phil. (english), ph.d. (hindi), ph.d. (geography) colleges in india.

Jamia Millia Islamia University-[JMI]

Banaras Hindu University - [BHU]

Panjab University - [PU]

Jawaharlal Nehru University - [JNU]

Presidency College

Aligarh Muslim University - [AMU]

Trivandrum University College

Savitribai Phule Pune University - [SPPU]

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• Updated on  
• Apr 25, 2023

Among the top Engineering institutions in India , the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) are nationally recognized for their quality programs in Science and Technology. There are 23 IITs in India out of which IIT Kharagpur is the oldest one. For a research-oriented degree like PhD , IITs can be an ideal choice as they can provide you with the suitable exposure and opportunities required. Pursuing your doctorate under globally recognised faculties in IITs can also equip you with the right guidance and mentorship for your research thesis. Through this blog, we will look at the key details of studying a PhD in IIT, the eligibility criteria, and the institutes you can choose from.

This Blog Includes:

Why pursue phd from iits, indian institute of technology, madras, indian institute of technology, roorkee, indian institute of technology, bombay, indian institute of technology, kharagpur, indian institute of technology, gandhinagar, iit dharwad, iit guwahati.

Owing to a large number of science students planning to pursue their PhD from an IIT, the eligibility criteria and admission procedure of the institutes is quite rigid and complex. In order to apply for your PhD in IIT, the prerequisites can differ from one institute to another along with the admission procedure. However, GATE is an essential exam that you need to qualify in order to apply for any of the 23 Indian Institutes of Technology. Moreover, the specializations offered might also vary thus it is advised that students go through the website of their chosen institute thoroughly before sending their application for their doctorate degree.

Also Read: All About PhD After Btech

Best Options for PhD in IITs

Below we have elaborated some of the top IITs and their prospective P hD courses that you can choose from:

Established in the year 1959, Indian Institute of Madras always grabs its notable mention for its renowned engineering degrees. IIT Madras is not only famous for its PhD program but also for its bachelor’s and master’s programs. The institute also offers interdisciplinary PhD degrees and the central eligibility requirement for doctoral degrees is that candidates require a bachelor’s degree in a related field of their doctoral program as well as an MSc degree. The application procedure for PhD in IIT Madras is completely online and after the submission of the application, the admission committee calls up shortlisted candidates for a written test and/or interview. Further, provides a wide scope through which students can carry out the research. The main departments for doctoral and MS (Research) degree are:

Founded with the vision of attaining “ a global level of excellence in education and to create a sustainable and equitable society through innovative research in science”, the university aims to provide students with a balanced exposure into the world of scientific knowledge through its research-oriented degrees. Especially to the ones wanting to pursue a PhD in IIT, it can be a sure shot option as the institute provides world-class research facilities with its remarkable faculty. To enrol into a program you first need to have attained any of the CSIR/UGC/DST fellowships along with a masters degree in a related field with a minimum of 60%. Further, PhD degrees at IIT Roorkee are offered in the following disciplines:

Being one of the most prestigious IITs, the Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay was founded in the year 1959 and offers bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees in the varied specializations of Humanities & Social Sciences, Engineering and Sciences. The Institution offers par excellence opportunities for doctorate scholars. Extensive research methodologies are taught to the candidates enrolled under the research programs and they are guided by a nationally renowned faculty at every step of their doctoral thesis. To get enrolled under PhD in IIT Bombay, students must have a masters degree in Engineering or Technology with minimum 60% marks. Here is a list of departments in IIT Bombay that offer PhD degrees:

IIT Kharagpur offers a unique integrated PhD program, i.e. joint master’s and PhD in which students can study their postgraduate and doctorate degree together. After 1st year of Mtech/MCP, students can enrol themselves into PhD in IIT Kharagpur. The necessary requirement for this program is that candidates must possess a Btech degree.  Further, you would also have to clear the GATE exam to apply for PhD at the completion of your master’s degree. Here is a list of departments that offer these Joint Master’s and PhD courses at IIT Kharagpur:

IIT Gandhinagar has introduced a special doctorate program called Start Early PhD Fellowship after comprehending the significance of creating more opportunities for emerging young learners to venture into the vast domain of scientific research. This full-time fellowship is curated to provide budding engineers with the opportunity to pursue PhD in IIT Gandhinagar. For general PhD degrees, the departments of IIT Gandhinagar are listed in the following table:

IIT Dharwad offers admissions for PhD courses in various disciplines. The aim of the university is to provide students with the correct exposure to the world of scientific knowledge through its degrees. For students wanting to pursue a PhD in IIT, it is definitely one of the best options as the institute provides world-class research facilities with its excellent faculty. To enrol into a program you first need to have attained a master’s degree in a related field with a minimum of 60%. Further, PhD degrees at IIT Dharwad are offered in the following disciplines:

IIT Guwahati is another great option for students planning to pursue PhD in IIT. PhD courses at IIT Guwahati are offered in the following modes -regular, sponsored, part-time, and self-financed modes. The candidates are shortlisted on the basis of their applications and scores followed by interview rounds. To enrol into a program you first need to have attained a master’s degree in a related field with a minimum of 60%. Further, PhD degrees at IIT Guwahati are offered in the following disciplines:

IIT Bhilai offers admission to candidates after completion of an undergraduate (UG) or Post-Graduate program subject to fulfilling the other eligibility criteria defined by the Institute. Further, the PhD program is offered under two different modes with the nominal duration mentioned as below. 1. Full-time 2. Part-time. To enrol into a program you first need to have attained a master’s degree in a related field with a minimum of 60%. Further, PhD degrees at IIT Bhilai are offered in the following disciplines:

Applicants must have a bachelor’s degree in engineering with at least 75% marks/7.5 CPI on a 10-point scale and a valid GATE score. GATE is not required for candidates with a bachelor’s degree from a Centrally Funded Technical Institute (CFTI).

Candidates must have received at least 60% (or 6.5 GPA out of 10) on their Master’s degree. Candidates must have a Bachelor’s degree (BE/B. Tech.) (or MSc) in a relevant discipline with at least 65% marks (or 7.0 GPA out of 10) and a valid GATE/UGC/CSIR/NET score.

IITs are adaptable in giving doctoral degrees to a variety of students through programmes such as full-time research scholars with their own fellowship (from any funding agency like as CSIR/UGC/DBT/DST, etc.) or with institute assistantship.

We hope that this blog has provided you with the major features of PhD in IITs. If you are exploring doctorate degrees and are looking for the varied specializations offered across the globe, take the help of Leverage Edu ’s AI tool to browse through a wide range of PhD programs as well as universities and find suitable combinations that align with your interests and aspirations.

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Department of Geography

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)

The Ph.D. is a different kind of degree from the master’s degree. A doctoral candidate in geography must be capable of making original contributions to knowledge and scholarship. For the students to make such contributions, they must concentrate on a narrow and clearly defined field of study. We require, however, that doctoral candidates know more of geography than their particular specialties; thus, any aspirant for a doctorate must obtain master’s training or its equivalent before being admitted to doctoral candidacy. In short, admission to doctoral candidacy is official recognition that a student’s general foundation in the breadth of geography is satisfactory. Students then devote their attention to developing depth in chosen specialties.

The general requirements for a doctoral degree in geography are more rigorous than those for a master’s degree. At the same time, the greater flexibility of the doctoral program allows advanced students to pursue programs of study tailored to their special interests and needs.

Progress through the degree is marked by: 

• Successful performance in a verbal qualifying exam; 
• Four-day written comprehensive exam, with a verbal portion after the written answers have been assessed by the committee;  
• Formal dissertation proposal; and 
• Verbal defense of a completed dissertation.

The four-year Ph.D. program is reserved for students who have a master’s degree from another graduate program. That can be another geography program at another university, a non-geography program at another university, or a non-geography program at Penn State.

Students entering the four-year Ph.D. program must take the doctoral qualifying exam in their first year. A committee from three of the four fields of geography and formally appointed by the Graduate Program Officer will administer the qualifying exam. The qualifying exam can take place any time during the year, but students in the four-year Ph.D. program typically take it during spring semester.

Students in the four-year Ph.D. program complete a comprehensive exam and defend their dissertation proposal in the second year. Depending on the needs of their research, and in agreement with their doctoral committee, students can fulfill these two requirements in either order. Once students have successfully passed their comprehensive exam and defended their proposal, they typically take two years to research, write, and defend their dissertations.

Our online Graduate Student Handbook explains the program requirements for all degrees.

• Faculty and Staff

University of Hawai‘i ® at Mānoa 2024-2025 General Catalog

College of social sciences: geography and environment.

• College of Social Sciences
• Anthropology
• School of Communication and Information
• Communication
• Communicology
• Library and Information Science
• Peace Studies
• Ethnic Studies
• Geography and Environment
• Political Science
• Public Administration
• Urban and Regional Planning
• Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies

College of Social Sciences Saunders Hall 445 2424 Maile Way Honolulu, HI 96822 Tel: (808) 956-8465 Fax: (808) 956-3512 Email: [email protected] Web: geography.manoa.hawaii.edu

* Graduate Faculty

*R. Jones, PhD (Chair)—political geography, globalization, borders, sovereign state system, nationalism, South Asia *D. Beilman, PhD—biogeography, long-term ecology, terrestrial carbon accumulation, climate change *Q. Chen, PhD—remote sensing, geographic information systems, geostatistics, spatially-explicit modeling *T. W. Giambelluca, PhD—climatology, hydrology P. Gupta, PhD—feminist geography, racial capitalism, labor South Asia *H. Jiang, PhD—cultural geography, environment, perception of nature, China *A. Kagawa-Viviani, PhD—ecohydrology, restoration, water resources *M. Karides, PhD—island studies, feminisms, political economy *C. Mora, PhD—interlinks between biodiversity patterns, processes, threats and human welfare *M. Mostafanezhad, PhD—cultural politics of tourism, politics of consumption, Thailand O. Myadar, PhD—forced mobility, displacement, nomadism *K. Suryanata, PhD—political ecology, agrarian change, natural resource management, Southeast Asia *R. A. Sutherland, PhD (Associate Dean)—geomorphology, soil erosion, water quality *B. Szuster, PhD—coastal resource management, environmental impacts assessment, marine recreation, Thailand

Emeritus Faculty

R. Fuchs, PhD—climate change and adaptation, Asian cities G. Fuller, PhD—population growth, geography of fertility N. Lewis, PhD—medical geography B. Murton, PhD—human geography, indigenous studies M. Ridgley, PhD—resource management A. Rieser, PhD—human geography of oceans L. Wester, PhD—biogeography, Southeast Asia

Adjunct Faculty

D. Eisinger, PhD—atmospheric pollution B. Gomez, PhD—geomorphology K. M. Woods, PhD—political ecology, geography of war and resources

Cooperating Graduate Faculty

L. Bremer, PhD—conservation, social-ecological systems, water resources, Hawai‘i E. Franklin, PhD—marine ecology, coral reefs, fish and fisheries, computational and quantitative methods, invasive species M. D. Merlin, PhD—biogeography, natural history of Hawai‘i D. Spencer, PhD—sustainable tourism policy, planning and management

Affiliate Graduate Faculty

H. Diaz, PhD—global climate research, atmospheric conditions M. Fisher, PhD—political ecology, conservation, Southeast Asia J. Fox, PhD—social forestry, resources, Southeast Asia A. G. Frazier, PhD—climate change, geospatial climatology S. Kandikuppa, PhD—rural livelihoods, common pool resources, financial well being and inclusion, collective action and institutions L. Kelley, PhD—political ecology, land use, remote sensing L. Mei-Singh, PhD—environment, racial capitalism, indigeneity, and militarism Y. Qiang, PhD—geographic information science, visual analytics, geocomputation, human dynamics M. L. Yong, PhD—water governance, political ecology, nature-society, environmental justice, Mekong region/Southeast Asia

Degrees Offered: BA (including minor) in geography and environment, Undergraduate Certificate in Geospatial Information Science, MA in geography and environment, PhD in geography and environment, Graduate Certificate in Ocean Policy

The Academic Program

Geography and Environment (GEO) provides a broad and flexible academic program that explores the human and environmental systems that shape the surface of the Earth. The discipline investigates the interaction of culture, society, ecology and physical environments that characterize particular places and studies how these relationships vary across space. The undergraduate program at UH Mānoa focuses on three interlocking subdisciplines: human geography, environmental geography, and geographic technologies. Human geography investigates the cultural, economic, and political processes that shape human experiences on the Earth; the relationship between the environment, society, and culture; and the nature of place in the Asia-Pacific region. Environmental geography engages in a systematic study of the Earth’s physical environment (atmosphere, biosphere, hydrosphere, and lithosphere) and considers the challenges associated with natural resource management and global environmental change. Geographic technologies include the study of cartography, geographic information systems (GIS), and remote sensing science.

Students who study geography and environment obtain a holistic understanding of the world and a set of methodological tools that can be applied to a wide range of domestic and international career opportunities. Geographers are involved in environmental planning, natural resource management and social policy development with all levels of government, private firms, non-profit organizations, educational institutions, and international agencies. Hawai‘i’s unique historical, socio-cultural and environmental context also provides a fascinating setting for geographical investigations into the wider Asia-Pacific region.

Undergraduate Study

Bachelor’s degree, requirements.

The geography and environment major requires at least 31 credit hours including:

Core Required Courses (19 credit hours)

• GEO 101, 101L, 151 or 102, 104, 325, 380, 493

Elective Upper Division Specialization Courses (12 credit hours)

At least 12 credit hours (6 credits at the 400 level) drawn from the following list of courses. Students are encouraged to focus on courses within environmental geography, human geography, or geospatial technology, or to develop a combination of courses to fit their interest.

• Environmental Geography: GEO 300, 302, 303, 305, 309, 310, 400, 401, 402, 403, 404, 405, 408, 409, 410, 411, 412, 413, 414, 415
• Human Geography: GEO 320, 322, 324, 330, 335, 421, 422, 423, 424, 425, 426, 432, 435, 436, 453
• Geospatial Technology: GEO 370, 376, 388, 470, 472, 476, 489
• Asia-Pacific Region: GEO 340, 352, 353, 355, 356, 365, 366, 368
• Directed Studies (with approval and under the supervision of faculty): GEO 399, 468, 490, 492, 499

For information on a Bachelor Degree Program Sheet, go to programsheets/ .

The minor in geography requires 15 credits of upper division course work in geography, which should include at least one course in each of the three areas: human geography, environmental geography, and geotechnology.

Undergraduate Certificate in Geographic Information Science

The GIS certificate program provides practical geospatial information science skills that are highly sought after by the private sector, government, and academic employers. The certificate will be of particular interest to students majoring in natural resource management, earth and ocean sciences, biophysical, and social sciences. It offers a systematic set of courses that focus on the acquisition, processing, generation, visualization, analysis, management, and dissemination of geospatial data. The program requires 16 total credit hours.

Required Courses (7 credits)

• GEO 370, 388, and 492 (one-credit practicum)

Elective Courses (9 credits)

• Students may petition for the inclusion of one 3-credit course outside the following courses: GEO 470, 471, 472, 476, and 489.

4+1 BAM BA/MA in Geography and Environment

Combined Bachelor’s & Master’s Degree (BAM) pathway affords a way for highly motivated students to complete a Bachelor’s and Master’s Degree in a shorter timeframe by double counting course work (up to 3 courses) at the undergraduate tuition rate. In most cases, pathway students graduate with a Bachelor’s and Master’s Degree within 5 years total. For more information, see geography.manoa.hawaii.edu/bam/ .

4+1 BAM BA/MA in Sustainability and Geography and Environment

Combined Bachelor’s & Master’s Degree (BAM) pathway affords a way for highly motivated students to complete a Bachelor’s and Master’s Degree in a shorter timeframe by double counting course work (up to 3 courses) at the undergraduate tuition rate. In most cases, pathway students graduate with a Bachelor’s and Master’s Degree within 5 years total. For more information, see geography.manoa.hawaii.edu/bam-interdisciplinary/ .

Graduate Study

The department offers programs of graduate study and research leading to the MA and PhD degrees. Faculty interests and supporting strengths of UH Mānoa provide advantages for study of the following general topics: (a) environmental studies and policies; and (b) resource management and systems.

Applicants are expected to have a broad-based undergraduate education encompassing basic courses in the physical sciences, social sciences, and humanities. They should have a firm grasp of the fundamentals of environmental and human geography and of basic cartographic and quantitative techniques. Intended candidates for the MA or PhD need not have an undergraduate major in geography; students from related fields are welcome, but any subject-area weakness must be remedied by course work.

Holders of graduate degrees in geography are employed in research and administrative positions in county, state, federal, and international agencies; research positions in private business, especially consulting firms; and teaching positions in secondary schools, community colleges, colleges, and universities.

Master’s Degree

The department offers a Plan A (thesis) program. In consultation with an advisory committee, the candidate plans a coherent program of study drawn from departmental offerings and pertinent courses from other UH Mānoa departments and programs. Each MA student must complete a minimum 30-credit program, including:

• 7 credit hours of core classes (GEO 692, 695, 696)
• 12 credit hours in the chosen field of specialization
• 3 credit hours in advanced research skills
• 8 credit hours in GEO 700 Thesis Research

Doctoral Degree

The PhD program consists of advanced courses and research seminars in the department, independent reading and research, and work in related disciplines. Each candidate will be expected to have taken the core program required for MA candidates or its equivalent. In addition, the following are common elements of all geography PhD programs:

• Familiarity with the general development of geographic thought (GEO 695);
• Minimum of 15 credit hours in graduate courses in a departmental field of specialization (course work taken at the MA/MS level may be used in partial fulfillment of this requirement);
• Minimum of 6 credit hours in research methods or techniques (statistics, cartography, remote sensing, GIS, quantitative or qualitative methods, computer applications, field methods, experimental methods, laboratory techniques or bibliographic techniques);
• Passing of written and oral comprehensive examinations;
• Submission and defense of a satisfactory dissertation.

Graduate Ocean Policy Certificate

Governance and stewardship of our oceans requires an interdisciplinary approach grounded in both theory and empirical study of the human-marine environment. The Graduate Ocean Policy Certificate is designed as a concurrent program for classified graduate students and law students in good standing. Community professionals and practitioners who meet minimum admissions requirements are also eligible to build their skills in ocean policy development, fisheries economics, coastal planning and management, ocean law, and marine politics. Students custom-design a 15-credit program that draws on marine-related courses at UH Mānoa in geography, economics, environmental law, political science, public policy, and planning. A major paper or internship is also required. For further information and applications, see the department’s web page at socialsciences.hawaii.edu/certificate/gopc/ .

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Tim Walz’s Class Project on the Holocaust Draws New Attention Online

Mr. Walz, now the Democrats’ vice-presidential nominee, asked his high school students in 1993 which country was most at risk for genocide. Their prediction came to pass: Rwanda.

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By Neil Vigdor

• Aug. 9, 2024

The prediction was spot on: Rwanda was barreling toward a devastating genocide.

It did not emanate from a think tank, but from a high school geography class in western Nebraska. The year was 1993. The teacher? Tim Walz, now the Democratic vice-presidential candidate and Minnesota governor.

Thirty-one years later, the class project is drawing new attention. Mr. Walz, a geography teacher at the time, had asked his students to take what they had learned about the Holocaust to predict which nation was most at risk for genocide.

“They came up with Rwanda,” Mr. Walz said, talking about the project at a conference last month . “Twelve months later, the world witnessed the horrific genocide in Rwanda.”

The project was reported on in a 2008 On Education column for The New York Times that has been widely shared in recent days. Mr. Walz had drawn the attention of the reporter, Samuel G. Freedman, for an earlier column because Mr. Walz was the only K-12 teacher serving in Congress at the time, Mr. Freedman said.

“While I was interviewing Walz for the initial column, he told me how the genocide project was one of his proudest moments as an educator,” said Mr. Freedman, who is now a journalism professor at Columbia University . That sparked Mr. Freedman to revisit the story later.

Mr. Walz, when he delivered the lesson plan, had been teaching global geography in Alliance, Neb., and had been chosen for a Belfer fellowship to the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum that was opening. Speaking at the conference last month, held by Esri, a company that makes G.I.S. software widely used in mapping, he said the project had a profound effect on his students and bred some cynicism.

“How could a bunch of students in western Nebraska, in Alliance, use a computer program and some past historical knowledge to come up with this?” he said. “Why was nobody doing anything about that?”

Several years later, when he was studying for his master’s degree in experiential education at Minnesota State University, Mankato, Mr. Walz wrote his thesis on Holocaust education, the Jewish Telegraphic Agency reported .

As governor, Mr. Walz signed a bill last year that requires high schools and middle schools to teach about the Holocaust, along with other genocides.

Neil Vigdor covers politics for The Times, focusing on voting rights issues and election disinformation. More about Neil Vigdor