Practices of geographers

Primary Professional Skills Practice (Training Practices)


The interzonal training practice after the second year is conducted outside the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia) to introduce the nature and economy of other regions.

The interzonal practice (6 weeks) is conducted in accordance with the curriculum and aims to develop skills of integrated geographical approach. to study the territory, to consolidate and study theoretical training of student, and acquire practical skills and competences in professional activity.

The interzonal field practice is one the most important in the training of highly qualified geographers. It is a link between studying theoretical knowledge and developing practical skills. It completes the initial training cycle and sums up the fundamentals of geographic education. An in-depth study of geographical, socio-economic and tourist objects creates the foundation for subsequent practices. During the practice, students gain an insight into the principles of research organization, learn about the methodology of the economic and geographical study of territorial systems, and get the necessary field research experience.

The practice is a compulsory part of the educational process and cannot be replaced by other activities.

The place of practice is determined with the consideration of several factors such as scientific interests, economic importance, transport accessibility, availability of large production facilities, and variety of natural and socio-economic spatial systems.

Depending on the chosen practice route, bus and rail routes with field tour and study activities are organized. The route may vary from year to year in order to match it to a certain research program. A typical practice of the recent years passes along the route Yakutsk - Neryungri - Blagoveshchensk - Khabarovsk - Vanino - Yuzhno-Sakhalin - Vanino - Khabarovsk - Neryungri - Yakutsk.

Interzonal learning practice consists of three stages - preparatory, main and final, each of which require careful scheduling and organization of student activities.

At the preparatory stage students familiarize themselves with the territory of practice using literature and scientific materials, select and prepare cartographic material and deal with organizational issues. Students are divided into groups of 6-7 people.

The preparatory stage includes the following steps: task setting, determination of the scale and detail of research, clarification of exploration degree, program composition, preparation of cartographic basis, study and systematization of literature and scientific material, formulation of the templates for field data and reports.

Students participating in the practice must undergo a medical commission in advance, as well as a field safety briefing.

The main stage consists of gathering materials during large-scale field excursions. It is important to form groups, each responsible for gathering material and holding colloquiums on its subject.

The field phase is the main phase and includes gathering materials in accordance with the practice program. Students work in groups, each responsible for a specific own data collection field. During the practice, preliminary laboratory processing of field observation data and excursions on the territory's facilities is carried out.

The final stage includes the laboratory processing of materials, the addition of theory and the report preparation. The results are presented at the department meeting.