Geography Course Descriptions
GEOG 1 (Introduction to Physical Geography)
3 units Transfer: CSU, UC
Earth's natural environments, with emphasis on spatial characteristics,
change over time, interactions between environmental components, and
human-environment interactions. Physical processes, techniques, and
tools by which Earth's climates, soils, vegetation, water resources,
and land forms are linked into integrated global patterns. Effect of
natural environments on human activities and how humans modify environments.
Field trips may be included. 3 hours. (CAN GEOG 2)
GEOG 1L (Introduction
to Physical Geography Laboratory)
1 unit Transfer: CSU, UC
Application of the concepts, techniques, tools, and materials of physical
geography. Practical exercises, experiments, observations, data analyses,
and computer applications/simulations which augment understanding of
geographic processes, interrelationships, spatial patterns and distributions.
Use of maps, remotely-sensed imagery, and geographic information systems.
Includes locational reference systems, time-space relationships, weather,
climate, soils, vegetation, and landforms. Field trips/field projects
may be included. Prerequisite: Geography 1 (may be taken concurrently).
3 hours laboratory.
GEOG 2 (Cultural
Geography)
3 units Transfer: CSU, UC
Spatial analysis of human populations, their cultural traits, and activities.
Emphasis on how diverse peoples, through their interactions and through
their perceptions and use of the physical environment, create distinctive
cultural landscapes. Social, political, and economic elements of geography
which contribute to the evolution of these global and regional cultural
patterns. Field trips may be included. 3 hours. (CAN GEOG 4)
GEOG 3 (Economic
Geography)
3 units Transfer: CSU, UC
An introduction to the world's major economic systems; their spatial
distribution and characteristics; their relative contributions to regional
development and global change; and related movements of people, goods,
and ideas. Techniques and tools of spatial analysis applied to human-environment
interactions, with emphasis on ecological problems associated with specific
economic activities. Field trips may be included. 3 hours.
GEOG 5 (World
Regional Geography)
3 units Transfer: CSU, UC
Regions of the world and the way humans live within those regions. Includes
physical and cultural characteristics of world regions, how they are
similar and how they are different, economic patterns, agriculture,
industrial development and population dynamics. Emphasis on today's
world and major issues that impact on everyday life. 3 hours.
GEOG 8 (Introduction
to Weather and Climate)
3 units Transfer: CSU, UC
Introduction to weather and climate and their impact on and modification
by human activities. Emphasis on weather elements, events, and processes;
climate controls; and the techniques, tools, and instruments of atmospheric
science. Includes atmospheric optics, weather prediction, severe storms,
air pollution, global/regional warming/cooling, ozone depletion, acid
rain, El Nino, deforestation, desertification, and other topics related
to everyday experience and global climate change. Field trips and observational
activities may be included. 3 hours.
GEOG 11 (Geography
of the San Francisco Bay Area)
3 units Transfer: CSU
Natural geography of the San Francisco Bay Area in relation to the historical,
cultural and environmental development of the Bay region. Highlights
past and present geographical, historical and ecological issues. Field
trips may be included. 3 hours.
GEOG 12 (Geography
of California)
3 units Transfer: CSU, UC
California's physical, cultural, and regional elements. The physical
geographic base includes: location; geological evolution; geomorphic
provinces, natural hazards, and resources; climate, water resources,
vegetation, and soils. Historically developed cultural themes include:
Native American and Hispanic origins; migration patterns and settlements;
population growth and ethnic diversity; land use and economic activities;
and Pacific Rim connections. Human-environment interactions and issues
are considered throughout. Field trips may be included. 3 hours.
GEOG 15 (Introduction
to Geographic Information Systems [GIS])
3 units Transfer: CSU, UC
GIS is a geographically-based, computer assisted information technology
that captures, organizes, queries, and analyzes spatial relationships
between locations and attributes of Earth's physical, cultural, and
economic features. GIS facilitates visualization of spatial relationships
and decision-making by interactively linking maps, databases, images,
and charts. GIS is both a tool for learning across the curriculum and
an integrated system and science for solving real-world spatial problems
within and across every economic sector. This course introduces entry-level
GIS theory, principles, concepts, applications, and operations through
a combination of lectures, demonstration, interactive web sessions and
tutorials, and active learning strategies. Students will acquire basic
hands-on GIS experience with current industry-standard software. Field
trips may be required. 3 hours.
