UNIVERSITY OF DAR ES SALAAM
COLLEGE OF SOCIAL SCIENCES (COSS)

Department of Geography

Department of Geography

  1. About the Department

The Department of Geography is based in the College of Sciences (CoSS) of the University of Dar es Salaam. Since its establishment in 1964, the department has visionary been the leading example of excellence in teaching, knowledge generation, knowledge dissemination and public services in geographical related matters. Similarly, the Department is guided by the mission of offering contemporary knowledge, skills and technical advice on geographically related issues in the country and beyond as reflected in its core functions- teaching, researching and consultancies.

  1. Programmes

The Department of Geography offers one undergraduate programme and sixpostgraduate programmes as elaborated here under.

    1. Undergraduate Programmes

Bachelor of Arts in Geography and Environmental Studies (BAGES). 

    1. Postgraduate Programmes
  • Master of Arts in Geography and Environmental Management (MAGEM),[Regular-Coursework/Thesis.
  • Master of Arts in Project Planning andManagement [Evening] (MA.PPM), [Evening] - Coursework.
  • Master of Science in Geographical Information Systems (Msc. GIS) [Evening] Coursework.
  • PhD in Geography [Regular] – Coursework/Thesis.
  1. Mode of Study

Given the nature of the subject matter, modes of study are quite many including but not limited to independent study, lectures, seminars, practical and take-home assignment (individual/group work).

Entry Requirements

  1.   Undergraduate Programmes

Direct entry requires two or more principal passes, one of which must be in Geography.

  1. Postgraduate Programmes
  2. Master’s Programme

MA.MAGEM

Qualification for the programme is a Bachelor degree with minimum Grade Point Average (GPA) of 3.0 from any field that requires skills in the geospatial discipline including Geography, Environmental Studies, Environmental Engineering, Environmental Management, Rural and Urban Planning, Surveying, Natural Resource Management, Disaster Management, Transportation and Transport Planning. For non-degree applicants to be considered for admission, should possess a Postgraduate Diploma in similar disciplines from recognized institutions.

MA.PPM

Qualification for the programme is a Bachelor degree with minimum Grade Point Average (GPA) of 2.7 from any related field that requires skills in the Geography, Environmental Studies, Civil, Geotechnical and Environmental Engineering, Environmental Management, Rural and Urban Planning, Surveying, Natural Resource Management, Disaster Management, Transportation and Transport Planning from recognized Universities.

MSc.GIS

Qualification for the programme is a Bachelor degree with minimum Grade Point Average (GPA) of 2.7 from any field that requires skills in the geospatial discipline including Geomatics, Geoinformatics, Geography,Environmental Studies, Civil, Geotechnical and Environmental Engineering, Environmental Management, Rural and Urban Planning, Surveying, Natural Resource Management, Disaster Management, Transportation and Transport Planning. For non-degree applicants to be considered for admission, should possess Postgraduate Diploma in similar disciplines from a recognized institutions.

  1. PhD. Programme

Applicants must have completed a master’s degree in Geography or related field from a recognized university in observation of all other eligibility procedures of the University of Dar es Salaam

Courses Mapping

Students are required to take all the core courses as indicated. Shaded totals represent the minimum required credits per semester basing on the specified core courses. A student may take one additional optional course from the list provided under a relevant semester and not from elsewhere. Compulsory second-year Practical Training (PT) conducted for 8 weeks during the long vacation and three weeks fieldwork for GE 249 at the end of the first semester of the third year. GE 399 (Dissertation) may be opted only upon approval by the Head of Department.

    1. Bachelor of Arts in Geography and Environmental Management

Code

Course Title

Core/Option

Credit

First Year: Semester I

 

 

GE 140

Introduction to Physical Geography

Core

12

GE 142

Spatial Organization

Core

12

GE 145

Introduction to Environmental Education

Core

12

AS 102

Introduction to Social Science Research Methods

Core

12

DS 101

DevelopmentPerspectives1

Core

8

CL 106

Communication Skills for Arts and Social Sciences

Core

12

 

 

 

68

First Year: Semester II

 

 

GE 141

Climatology

Core

12

GE 143

Environmental Resources and Food Security

Core

12

GE 144

Surveying and Mapping Science

Core

12

AS 103

Social Science Research Methods

Core

12

DS 102

Development Perspectives II

Core

8

PL 111

Introduction to Critical Thinking and Argumentation

Core

12

 

 

 

68

Second Year: Semester I

 

 

GE 240

Soil Resources

Core

12

GE 242

Agricultural Systems and Location

Core

12

GE 244

Quantitative Techniques in Geography

Core

12

GE 250

Environmental Education and Conservation

Core

12

GE 251

Tourism and Leisure

Core

12

 

A student may select one course from the following

GE 243

Urban Systems

Optional

12

AS 217

Introduction to Computers

Optional

12

 

 

 

72

Second Year: Semester II

 

 

GE 241

Biogeography

Core

12

GE 245

Remote Sensing

Core

12

GE 246

Hydrometeorology

Core

12

GE 247

Population Studies

Core

12

 

A student may select one or two courses from the following

GE 248

Transport Systems

Optional

12

GE 252

Medical Geography

Optional

12

AS 299

Practical Training (done during the long vacation)

Core

12

 

 

 

60

Third Year: Semester I

 

 

GE 340

Water Resources Management

Core

12

GE 343

Population and Development

Core

12

GE 352

Natural Resources Management

Core

12

GE 353

Geographical Information Systems

Core

12

GE 249

Research Methods in Geography

Core

12

GE 249

Research Methods in Geography (Field conducted during short vacation)*

Core

-

 

A student may select one or two courses from the following

GE 347

Urban Transport Planning and Management

Optional

12

GE 348

Disaster Management

Optional

12

GE 344

Regional Development Planning

Optional

12

GE 355

Geography of Economic Inequalities

Optional

12

GE 399

Dissertation++

Optional

24

 

 

 

72

Third Year: Semester II

 

 

GE 350

Environmental Policy and Planning

Core

12

GE 351

Land Evaluation for Development Planning

Core

12

GE 354

Environmental Assessment

Core

12

  

 

 

 

A student may select one or two courses from the following

GE 342

Urban Planning and Management

Optional

12

GE 349

Contemporary Geography

Optional

12

GE 341

Agriculture and Rural Settlement

Optional

12

GE 346

Project Planning and Management

Optional

12

GE 345

Regional Development Planning in Tanzania

Optional

12

GE 399

Dissertation++     

Optional

24

 

 

 

60