Geography (GEOG) Courses
GEOG 300 Physical Geography: Exploring Earth's Environmental Systems
- Units:3
- Hours:54 hours LEC
- Prerequisite:None.
- Advisory:Concurrent enrollment in GEOG 301 (Physical Geography Lab) is suggested. GEOG 301 meets the UC and CSU transfer requirement for a 1-unit science lab.
- Transferable:CSU; UC
- General Education:AA/AS Area IV; CSU Area B1; IGETC Area 5A
- C-ID:C-ID GEOG 110
- Catalog Date:January 1, 2025
This course investigates the interrelationships between Earth and humans, with an emphasis on natural systems (solar energy balance, weather and climate, water resources, landforms, natural hazards, vegetation, and soil). Relevant application of these elements to today's world is stressed to help students better understand Earth's physical environment as well as human-environment interaction. A field trip (whether in-person or virtual) may be required to relate class discussions to the real world.
GEOG 301 Physical Geography Laboratory
- Units:1
- Hours:54 hours LAB
- Prerequisite:None.
- Corequisite:GEOG 300; GEOG 300 may be taken during a previous semester. Grade of "C" or better required if taken previously.
- Transferable:CSU; UC
- General Education:CSU Area B3; IGETC Area 5C
- C-ID:C-ID GEOG 111
- Catalog Date:January 1, 2025
This course provides "hands-on" study of the basic principles and concepts involved in understanding Earth's environment systems. Labs feature observation, collection, analysis and display of data related to the study of Earth's energy balance, weather and climate, vegetation, tectonic processes, landforms, and natural hazards. Additionally, labs involve geographic methods and technology, including interpretation of maps and other geographic imagery, weather instrumentation, navigation equipment such as a compass and the Global Positioning System (GPS), and other relevant computer and Internet applications. A field trip may be required.
GEOG 302 Environmental Studies & Sustainability
- Units:3
- Hours:54 hours LEC
- Prerequisite:None.
- Transferable:CSU; UC
- General Education:AA/AS Area V(b); CSU Area D5; CSU Area D7; IGETC Area 4E; IGETC Area 4G
- Catalog Date:January 1, 2025
This introductory course offers an interdisciplinary perspective on the major environmental problems confronting society and explores solutions directed toward producing a more sustainable future. Course topics include an introduction to environmental issues, and related values, ethics and politics; a primer on Earth system science — the interconnected nature of the atmosphere, hydrosphere, lithosphere, and biosphere; a global survey of natural resources and exploitation; changing global climates; the world water crisis; the demography of human population, and contrasts between less- and more-developed countries; agricultural and food supply challenges; renewable and nonrenewable energy resources; and land use patterns and related issues. Throughout the course, human impacts on the environment, environmental impacts on human societies, and the sustainability of economies and practices at local, regional, and global scales are investigated. A field trip may be required to relate class discussions to the real world.
GEOG 305 Global Climate Change
- Units:3
- Hours:54 hours LEC
- Prerequisite:None.
- Transferable:CSU; UC
- General Education:AA/AS Area IV; CSU Area B1; IGETC Area 5A
- Catalog Date:January 1, 2025
This interdisciplinary course explores the natural and human factors causing the Earth’s climate to change. Students will be provided with the scientific tools to analyze evidence that climate change is a looming threat. Through lectures, readings, discussions and projects, students will examine the Earth’s present and past climates as well as the influence of climate on the geographical distribution of plants, animals and human societies.
GEOG 306 Weather and Climate
- Units:3
- Hours:54 hours LEC
- Prerequisite:None.
- Transferable:CSU; UC
- General Education:AA/AS Area IV; CSU Area B1; IGETC Area 5A
- C-ID:C-ID GEOG 130
- Catalog Date:January 1, 2025
This course is an introduction to atmospheric processes including energy and moisture exchanges, atmospheric pressure, winds, and global circulation. Severe weather conditions such as hurricanes and tornadoes are also studied. World, regional, and local climates are investigated. Student work will include weather observations and analysis of atmospheric data using charts, weather maps and radar and satellite imagery from the Internet and other sources.
GEOG 310 Human Geography: Exploring Earth's Cultural Landscapes
- Units:3
- Hours:54 hours LEC
- Prerequisite:None.
- Transferable:CSU; UC
- General Education:AA/AS Area V(b); AA/AS Area VI; CSU Area D5; IGETC Area 4E
- C-ID:C-ID GEOG 120
- Catalog Date:January 1, 2025
This course investigates the diverse patterns of human settlement, development, and movement on earth, which evolved as a result of cultural and environmental factors. Emphasis is placed on understanding global population and migration patterns, language, religion, ethnicity, political and economic systems, development issues, agriculture and urbanization.
GEOG 320 World Regional Geography
- Units:3
- Hours:54 hours LEC
- Prerequisite:None.
- Transferable:CSU; UC
- General Education:AA/AS Area V(b); AA/AS Area VI; CSU Area D5; IGETC Area 4E
- C-ID:C-ID GEOG 125
- Catalog Date:January 1, 2025
This course is a global survey of the world's major geographic realms: their physical environments, cultures and economies; their origins, interactions and global roles. Geographic concepts and ideas are used to study and compare cultures, landscapes, resources, livelihood and land use across Earth. Explanation for the globalization of culture and economy, the widening gap between rich and poor countries, and ethnic diversity in the United States and abroad is stressed throughout the course. A major goal of this course is to improve each student's "mental map of the world."
GEOG 322 Geography of California
- Units:3
- Hours:54 hours LEC
- Prerequisite:None.
- Transferable:CSU; UC
- General Education:AA/AS Area V(b); AA/AS Area VI; CSU Area D5; IGETC Area 4E
- C-ID:C-ID GEOG 140
- Catalog Date:January 1, 2025
This course investigates California's physical, cultural, and economic environments, analyzing cardinal changes resulting from both natural and human interaction. The emphasis is on cultural diversity, human alteration of the landscape, and contemporary problems resulting from accelerated competition for natural, financial, and human resources.
Some field trips may be required.
GEOG 331 Exploring Maps and Geographic Technologies
- Units:3
- Hours:48 hours LEC; 18 hours LAB
- Prerequisite:None.
- Transferable:CSU; UC
- General Education:AA/AS Area IV
- C-ID:C-ID GEOG 150
- Catalog Date:January 1, 2025
Maps are the most effective way to communicate spatial information. This course introduces students to the quickly changing world of maps (both hardcopy and digital) and geographic techniques and technologies such as map and aerial photograph interpretation, spreadsheet operations, basic statistics, cartography, Global Positioning Systems (GPS), Internet mapping, remote sensing and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) that aid in data collection, analysis and presentation.
GEOG 335 Introduction to Geographic Information Systems Applications
- Units:3
- Hours:45 hours LEC; 27 hours LAB
- Prerequisite:None.
- Advisory:CISC 302
- Transferable:CSU
- C-ID:C-ID GEOG 155
- Catalog Date:January 1, 2025
Geographic Information Systems (GIS) are computer-based mapping programs that analyze spatial data. This course provides the foundation for using desktop GIS software. A conceptual overview along with hands-on experience will be used to explore basic GIS software functionality. Emphasis will be placed on display characteristics, attribute querying, database exploration and management, spatial analysis, data creation, and cartographic presentation.
GEOG 391 Field Studies in Geography: Mountain Landscapes
- Units:1 - 4
- Hours:6 - 24 hours LEC; 36 - 144 hours LAB
- Prerequisite:None.
- Transferable:CSU
- C-ID:C-ID GEOG 160
- Catalog Date:January 1, 2025
This course involves the study of geographic principles and processes in mountain environments. The course content will vary by destination but may include topics in physical geography (e.g., plant and animal communities, climate and weather, geology and geomorphology, natural hazards, environmental impacts, etc.), human geography (e.g., cultural landscapes, economic activities, transportation issues, land use patterns, etc.), and introduction to tools and techniques used for geographic field research (e.g., map and compass use, the Global Positioning System (GPS), Geographic Information Systems (GIS), etc.). Field excursions are required.
GEOG 392 Field Studies in Geography: Coastal Landscapes
- Units:1 - 4
- Hours:6 - 24 hours LEC; 36 - 144 hours LAB
- Prerequisite:None.
- Transferable:CSU
- C-ID:C-ID GEOG 160
- Catalog Date:January 1, 2025
This is a field studies course of the geography of coastal landscapes. Physical and cultural processes, characteristics and landscapes will be observed and analyzed. Specific content will vary by geographic region. A field trip is required. Units may vary based on the time requirements for the specific course.
GEOG 393 Field Studies in Geography: Arid Landscapes
- Units:1 - 4
- Hours:6 - 24 hours LEC; 36 - 144 hours LAB
- Prerequisite:None.
- Transferable:CSU
- C-ID:C-ID GEOG 160
- Catalog Date:January 1, 2025
This course involves the study of geographic principles and processes in arid environments. The course content will vary by destination but may include topics in physical geography (e.g., plant and animal communities, climate and weather, geology and geomorphology, natural hazards, environmental impacts, etc.), human geography (e.g., cultural landscapes, economic activities, transportation issues, land use patterns, etc.), and introduction to tools and techniques used for geographic field research (e.g., map and compass use, the Global Positioning System (GPS), Geographic Information Systems (GIS), etc.). Field excursions are required.
GEOG 394 Field Studies in Geography: Volcanic Landscapes
- Units:1 - 4
- Hours:6 - 24 hours LEC; 36 - 144 hours LAB
- Prerequisite:None.
- Transferable:CSU
- C-ID:C-ID GEOG 160
- Catalog Date:January 1, 2025
This course involves the study of geographic principles and processes in volcanic environments. The course content will vary by destination but may include topics in physical geography (e.g., plant and animal communities, climate and weather, geology and geomorphology, natural hazards, environmental impacts, etc.), human geography (e.g., cultural landscapes, economic activities, transportation issues, land use patterns, etc.), and introduction to tools and techniques used for geographic field research (e.g., map and compass use, the Global Positioning System (GPS), Geographic Information Systems (GIS), etc.). Field excursions are required.
GEOG 495 Independent Studies in Geography
- Units:1 - 3
- Hours:54 - 162 hours LAB
- Prerequisite:None.
- Transferable:CSU
- Catalog Date:January 1, 2025
An independent studies project involves an individual student or small group of students in study, research, or activities beyond the scope of regularly offered courses. See the current catalog section of "Special Studies" for full details of Independent Studies.
GEOG 499 Experimental Offering in Geography
- Units:0.5 - 4
- Prerequisite:None.
- Transferable:CSU; UC (Credit for variable topics courses is given only after a review of the scope and content of the course by the enrolling UC campus.)
- Catalog Date:January 1, 2025
This is the experimental courses description.