Course Description :
This course provides an introduction to cartographic principles and practical
mapping techniques. It covers map reading, scale conversion, projections,
terrain representation, climatic and thematic mapping, and the fundamentals of
digital cartography. Through hands-on exercises and digital tools, learners
develop skills to interpret geographic information, create thematic and digital
maps, and design effective map layouts. The course prepares students to
understand spatial patterns and apply mapping methods in geography,
environmental studies, planning, and related fields.
Course Objectives :
Ø
To introduce basic concepts of
cartography, including map reading, interpretation, scale, symbols, and
projections.
Ø
To develop practical skills to
represent geographic features and phenomena through various cartographic
techniques.
Ø
To train students in the
creation of spatial data and preparation of digital maps using open-source GIS
tools.
Ø
To enable students to design accurate,
and meaningful maps through appropriate symbolization, visual layout, and
thematic representation.
| Course Status : | Upcoming |
| Course Type : | Core |
| Language for course content : | English |
| Duration : | 12 weeks |
| Category : |
|
| Credit Points : | 6 |
| Level : | Undergraduate |
| Start Date : | 09 Jan 2026 |
| End Date : | 30 Apr 2026 |
| Enrollment Ends : | 28 Feb 2026 |
| Exam Date : | |
| Translation Languages : | English |
| NCrF Level : | 4.5 |
Week 1 — Basic Concepts
Students explore what cartography is, why it matters, and how it has evolved.
They learn how maps are created, from gathering information to making meaningful
representations of geographic features.
Week 2 — Map Reading &
Interpretation
This week builds visual literacy. Students learn map symbols, read topographic
sheets to understand land features, and interpret weather reports to understand
the weather phenomena.
Week 3 — Map Scales
The focus is on how real-world distances become map measurements. Students
practice converting and constructing scales and learn simple ways to measure
distance and area from maps.
Week 4 — Map Projections
The week focuses on how the curved Earth becomes flat on paper. They compare
different projection types, including Zenithal, Bonne, and UTM, noting how each
distorts distance, area, or direction differently.
Week 5 — Profiles
Students learn how to read contour lines and build landform sketches. They
construct different types of profiles and study river longitudinal profiles to
understand changes in slope and landform shape.
Week 6 — Slope Analysis
This week introduces methods to study land height and relief. Using Wentworth,
Smith, and hypsometric techniques, students learn how to describe terrain types
and elevation patterns.
Week 7 — Climatic Analysis
Students learn simple ways to visualize climate data. They prepare wind-rose
diagrams, climographs, hyther graphs, and deviation graphs to understand
temperature, rainfall, and wind variations.
Week 8 — Thematic Mapping Techniques
(Manual)
This week explores maps that show social or environmental themes. Students draw
choropleth, isopleth, dot, and flow maps to represent population, elevation, climate,
movement, and other patterns.
Week 9 — Digital Cartography &
Web Mapping
Students step into digital tools. They explore how digital maps are made and
used, and practice basic operations in Google Earth Pro to view, measure, and
map geographic features.
Week 10 — Creation of Digital Maps
Students work with open-source GIS software to create maps. They learn georeferencing,
setting projections, and creating new spatial data for mapping.
Week 11 — Symbolization
This week explains how visual choices influence understanding. Students learn
color use, symbol selection, and labeling to make maps clear, readable, and
meaningful.
Week 12 — Thematic Mapping
(Digital), Map Design and Layout
Students prepare thematic maps digitally (isopleth, choropleth, dot, flow maps)
and learn the principles of map design and composition to make effective maps.
Special Lecture — Modern Cartography
using Extended Reality
A forward-looking session explores XR (extended reality) technologies — such as
VR and AR — and how they are used in cartography to visualize and interact with
geographic features in new immersive ways.
References
1. Robinson, A.H., J.L.Morrison, P.C., Muehrcke, A.J.Kimerling and S.C.Guptill (1995). Elements of Cartography, 6th Edition. New York. John Wiley & Sons. USA.
2. Monkhouse, F.J. and Wilkinson, H.R., (1971). Maps and diagrams: their compilation and construction. Methuen
3. Misra, R.P. and A.Ramesh (1989). Fundamentals of Cartography, Concepts PublishingCompany, New Delhi.
4. Kraak, M.J. and F.J. Ormeling (1996). Cartography: Visualisation of Spatial data, Longman Ltd., England.
5. MacEachren, Alan, M., (1995). How Maps Work, Representation, Visualization and Design, Guilford Press
Dr. R. Jaganathan is Professor and Head of the Department of
Geography at the University of Madras, Chennai, and also serves as Head (i/c)
of the Centre for Natural Hazards and Disaster Studies. He holds an M.Sc. in
Applied Geography, a Post-Graduate Diploma in Ecology and Environment,
specialized training in Hydrology from the Water Resources Research Centre,
Hungary, and a Ph.D. awarded in 1994.
With more than three decades of academic and research
experience, Dr. Jaganathan has contributed extensively to teaching and research
in cartography, GIS, spatial modelling, land evaluation, coastal zone
management, and natural hazards. He has led several major national and
international research projects supported by DST, DRDO, UGC, ICSSR, and the
European Union. His recent work involves integrating Extended Reality (XR)
technologies with cartography, for which he has filed two patents.
He has an extensive publication record in areas including
remote sensing applications, digital terrain modelling, flood studies,
urbanisation, and environmental resource analysis. He has also collaborated
with the Marie-Curie URBANSELF programme and academic partners across Europe
and Asia. He has been actively involved in curriculum design and development
for national and international academic programmes in Geoinformatics,
Geography, and Environmental Management, including collaborative programmes
with universities in the United Kingdom and Austria. He is deeply engaged in
professional networks and currently serves as General Secretary of the Indian
Geographical Society and as a member of the National Association of
Geographers, India.
Internal Assessment - Weekly assessments released in the course shall be considered for Internal Marks and will carry 30 percent for the Overall Result. Out of all weekly assignments, the best/top five scores will be considered for the final Internal Assessment marks.
End-term Assessment - The final exam shall be conducted by NTA, and will carry 70 percent for the overall Result.
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