Geography students at Sacramento State explore Earth’s natural and cultural landscapes using methods from the natural sciences and the social sciences. Students study climate, weather, landforms, water resources, plants and animals, and at the same time, peoples, societies, economies, and cities. Geography's approach to these phenomena emphasizes their interrelationships and spatial patterns, which overlap in intricate ways and give rise to distinctive places and regions. Students work with quantitative and qualitative data from a variety of sources, including published censuses and maps, aerial imagery, field and lab work, and surveys and interviews. They use a variety of tools, including Global Positioning Systems (GPS), Geographic Information Systems (GIS), and other computer applications to collect, display, and analyze spatial data. Students of geography study and address complex issues, especially those with a human-environment interface, such as climate change, resource degradation, urban growth and design, globalization, immigration, and ethnic and territorial conflict. Geographical understanding is applied at different scales, from the local to the global, and regional expertise is cultivated.

Lower division offerings in physical geography, cultural geography, and geographical techniques introduce students to the discipline. At the upper division level, students can choose among regional classes on many parts of the Earth, topical classes on subjects from meteorology to transportation, and technique classes that include GIS, map making, spatial analysis, remote sensing, and field work. Majors select a concentration in a geographic subfield. Although not required, the department encourages students to take elective courses and/or pursue a
minor complementary to their geographical interests.

Concentrations

BA: General Geography / Cartography, Geographic Information Systems and Planning / Human Geography / Physical Geography
Certificates: Metropolitan Planning / Resource Planning

Special Features

Numerous internships and jobs in the Sacramento area, including many with state and local government
Many opportunities for field work in a variety of settings
A senior project class in which each student conducts his/her own research
A small major allowing for lots of interaction with faculty and fellow students, including attendance at state and regional professional meetings

UNDERGRADUATE PROGRAMS

REQUIREMENTS - BACHELOR OF ARTS DEGREE

Units required for Major: 45
Minimum total units required for BA: 120
Courses in parentheses are prerequisites.

Note: Every candidate must complete all of the Geography Core and one Concentration.

A. Required Lower Division Core Courses (10 units)
(3)	GEOG 1	Physical Geography: The Distribution of Natural Phenomena
(3)	GEOG 2	Cultural Geography
(3)	GEOG 3	Introduction to Maps and Geographic Technologies
(1)	GEOG 11	Laboratory in Physical Geography (GEOG 1; may be taken concurrently)
B. Required Upper Division Core Courses (21 units)
(3)	GEOG 102	Ideas and Skills in Geography (GEOG 1, GEOG 2, GEOG 3, or GEOG 11)
(3)	GEOG 118	The Changing Earth's Ecosystems
(3)	GEOG 190	Senior Research Seminar in Geography (GEOG 1, GEOG 2, GEOG 3, GEOG 102; senior standing; passing score on WPE)
One course from each of the following four areas:
Geographic Techniques
	GEOG 105	Computer Cartography
	GEOG 107	Remote Sensing (GEOG 103; passing score on the ELM recommended)
	GEOG 109	Geographic Information Systems
	GEOG 110	Advanced Geographic Information Systems (GEOG 109 or instructor permission)
	GEOG 163	Applied Geographic Information Systems (GEOG 109)
	GEOG 181	Spatial Analysis
	GEOG 182	Internet Geographic Information Systems (GEOG 109, CSC 1; or instructor permission)
	GEOG 193A	Field Geography: Urban-Metropolitan
	GEOG 193B	Field Geography: Suburban-Rural (GEOG 1, GEOG 103 or GEOG 105; or instructor permission)
	GEOG 193C	Field Geography: Physical (GEOG 1, GEOG 109, GEOG 117 or GEOG 103 or GEOG 105; or instructor permission )
Human Geography
	GEOG 141	Geography of Economic Activity
	GEOG 145	Population Geography
	GEOG 147	Urban Geography
	GEOG 148	Urban and Regional Planning (GEOG 147 or instructor permisison)
	GEOG 149	Transportation Geography (GEOG 141 or GEOG 147 or instructor permission)
	GEOG 163	Applied GIS (GEOG 109)
Physical Geography
	GEOG 111	Elements of Meteorology (GEOG 1 or instructor permission)
	GEOG 113	Climate (Knowledge of general world distribution of climatic elements as given in an introductory physical geography course.)
	GEOG 115	Geography of Plants and Animals (GEOG 1)
	GEOG 116	Global Climate Change (GEOG 1 or instructor permission)
	GEOG 117	Landforms (GEOG 1 or instructor permission)
	GEOG 161	California's Water Resources
Regional Geography
	GEOG 121	United States and Canada
	GEOG 122B	South America
	GEOG 125	Geography of East Asia
	GEOG 128	Geography of Europe
	GEOG 131	California
Additional Requirements for Concentrations Note: Courses cannot double count for the core and the concentration.
General Geography Concentration Students must take TWO of the following - GEOG 105, GEOG 107, GEOG 109, GEOG 110, GEOG 163, GEOG 181, GEOG 182 - plus one additional course from each of the human, physical and regional course listings. Students must take ONE of the following human geography courses in addition to the one chosen for their core: GEOG 141, GEOG 145, GEOG 147, GEOG 163. Students must take ONE of the following physical geography courses in addition to the one chosen for their core: GEOG 111, GEOG 113, GEOG 115, GEOG 117, GEOG 161. Students must take ONE of the following regional geography courses in addition to the one taken for their core: GEOG 121, GEOG 122B, GEOG 125, GEOG 128, GEOG 131.
Cartography, Geographic Information Systems and Planning Concentration Students must take FIVE of the following - GEOG 105, GEOG 107, GEOG 109, GEOG 110, GEOG 148, GEOG 163, GEOG 181, GEOG 182 and the GEOG 193 series. Only one of these may be a field course (GEOG 193 series).
Human Geography Concentration Students must take TWO additional courses from the human geography course listings - GEOG 141, GEOG 145, GEOG 147, GEOG 148, GEOG 149, and GEOG 163, - TWO additional courses from the regional course listings - GEOG 121, GEOG 122B, GEOG 125, GEOG 127, GEOG 128 and GEOG 131, and ONE additional technique course from among the following: - GEOG 105, GEOG 107, GEOG 109, GEOG 110, GEOG 163, GEOG 181, GEOG 182, and the GEOG 193 series. The technique cannot be a field course (GEOG 193A, GEOG 193B, GEOG 193C) if a field course was taken for the core.
Physical Geography Concentration Students must take FOUR of the following - GEOG 111, GEOG 113, GEOG 115, GEOG 116, GEOG 117, GEOG 161 - plus ONE additional technique course chosen from the following - GEOG 105, GEOG 107, GEOG 109, GEOG 110, GEOG 163, GEOG 181, GEOG 182 and the GEOG 193 series. The technique cannot be a field course (GEOG 193A, GEOG 193B, GEOG 193C) if a field course was taken for the core.
REQUIREMENTS - MINOR
Total units required for Minor: 21

(3)	GEOG 1	Physical Geography: The Distribution of Natural Phenomena
(3)	GEOG 2	Cultural Geography
(1)	GEOG 11	Laboratory in Physical Geography (GEOG 1; may be taken concurrently)
(3)	GEOG 102	Ideas and Skills in Geography (GEOG 1, GEOG 2, GEOG 3, or GEOG 11)
(2)	GEOG 103	Map and Air Photo Interpretation
(3)	GEOG 111	Elements of Meteorology (GEOG 1 or instructor permisison) OR
	GEOG 113	Climate (Knowledge of general world distribution of climatic elements as given in an introductory physical geography course)
(3) Select one of the following:

	GEOG 141	Geography of Economic Activity
	GEOG 145	Population Geography
	GEOG 147	Urban Geography
(3) Course in Geography with Departmental advisor approval.
REQUIREMENTS - CERTIFICATE - PRE-PLANNING
The Pre-Planning program consists of 15-16 units in addition to the major and culminates in a certificate. Select either the Metropolitan or Resource Planning Concentration below. No more than two courses may be taken in any one department.
Metropolitan Planning Concentration
(15) Select five of the following:
	ECON 104	Introduction to the U.S. Economy
	ECON 120	Economics and Environmental Degradation
	GEOG 109	Geographic Information Systems
	GEOG 145	Population Geography
	GEOG 147	Urban Geography
	GEOG 148	Urban and Regional Planning (GEOG 147 or instructor permission)
	GEOG 149	Transportation Geography (GEOG 141 or GEOG 147 or instructor permission)
	GEOG 161	California's Water Resources
	GOVT 170	Public Policy Development (GOVT 1 or equivalent; passing score on the WPE)
	GOVT 180	California State and Local Government
	HIST 163	The City in U.S. History
Resource Planning Concentration
(15-16) Select five of the following:
	BIO 5	General Biology
	ECON 120	Economics and Environmental Degradation
	GEOG 109	Geographic Information Systems
	GEOG 117	Landforms (GEOG 1 or instructor permission)
	GEOG 161	California's Water Resources
	GEOL 10	Physical Geology
	GOVT 170	Public Policy Development (GOVT 1 or equivalent; passing score on the WPE )
	GOVT 180	California State and Local Government
	HROB 101	Management of Contemporary Organizations

Students must have an advisor and will not be allowed to proceed in the program without an advisor's signature. In some cases courses may be accepted that have already been completed. There can be no double counting from among courses used in the major.

CAREER POSSIBILITIES

Geographer · Cartographer · Climatologist · Environmental Scientist · Geographic Information System Specialist · Land Economist · Recreation Planner · Locational Analyst · Soil Conservationist · Urban Planner · Transportation Planner · Aerial Photo Interpreter · Remote Sensing Specialist · Community Development Specialist · Land Use Planner · Demographer · Teacher

FACULTY
Robin Datel, Marsha Dillon, Bruce Gervais, Thomas Krabacher, Miles Roberts, Michael Schmandt, James Wanket
CONTACT INFORMATION

Thomas Krabacher, Department Chair

Laura Summers, Administrative Support Assistant

Amador Hall 550

(916) 278-6109

www.csus.edu/geog

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GEOGRAPHY College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics

BACHELOR OF ARTS MINOR CERTIFICATE CAREER POSSIBILITIES FACULTY CONTACT COMPLETE COURSE LISTING

GEOGRAPHY
College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics

BACHELOR OF ARTS
MINOR
CERTIFICATE
CAREER POSSIBILITIES
FACULTY
CONTACT
COMPLETE COURSE LISTING