GEOGRAPHY
College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics
PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
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, 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: Geographic Information Systems and Analysis / Human Geography / Metropolitan Area Planning / 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: 46
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) |
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(3) |
Physical Geography: The Distribution of Natural Phenomena |
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(3) |
Cultural Geography |
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(3) |
Introduction to Maps and Geographic Technologies |
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(1) |
Laboratory in Physical Geography (GEOG 1; may be taken concurrently) |
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B. Required Upper Division Core Courses (21 units) |
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(3) |
Ideas and Skills in Geography (GEOG 1, GEOG 2, GEOG 3, or GEOG 11) |
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(3) |
The Changing Earth's Ecosystems |
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(3) |
Senior Research Seminar in Geography (GEOG 1, GEOG 2, GEOG 3, GEOG 102; senior standing; and GWAR Certification before Fall 09, or WPJ score of 80+, or C or higher grade in ENGL 109M/W, or C- grade in ENGL 109M/W or WPJ score 70/71 and ENGL 109X co-requisite) |
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One course from each of the following four areas: |
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| Geographic Techniques | ||
(3) |
Computer Cartography |
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(3) |
Remote Sensing (GEOG 103; passing score on the ELM recommended) |
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(3) |
Geographic Information Systems |
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(3) |
Advanced Geographic Information Systems (GEOG 109 or instructor permission) |
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(3) |
Applied Geographic Information Systems (GEOG 109) |
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(3) |
Spatial Analysis |
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(3) |
Internet Geographic Information Systems (GEOG 109, CSC 1; or instructor permission) |
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(3) |
Field Geography: Urban-Metropolitan |
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(3) |
Field Geography: Suburban-Rural (GEOG 1, GEOG 103 or GEOG 105; or instructor permission) |
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(3) |
Field Geography: Physical (GEOG 1, GEOG 109, GEOG 117 or GEOG 103 or GEOG 105; or instructor permission) |
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| Human Geography | ||
(3) |
Geography of Economic Activity |
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(3) |
Population Geography |
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(3) |
Urban Geography |
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(3) |
Urban and Regional Planning (GEOG 147 or instructor permission) |
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(3) |
GEOG 149 | Transportation Geography (GEOG 141 or GEOG 147 or instructor permission) |
(3) |
Applied GIS (GEOG 109) |
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| Physical Geography | ||
(3) |
Elements of Meteorology (GEOG 1 or instructor permission) |
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(3) |
Climate (Knowledge of general world distribution of climatic elements as given in an introductory physical geography course) |
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(3) |
Geography of Plants and Animals (GEOG 1) |
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(3) |
Global Climate Change (GEOG 1 or instructor permission) |
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(3) |
Landforms (GEOG 1 or instructor permission) |
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(3) |
California's Water Resources |
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| Regional Geography | ||
(3) |
United States and Canada |
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(3) |
South America |
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(3) |
Geography of East Asia |
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(3) |
Geography of Europe |
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(3) |
California |
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Additional Requirements for ConcentrationsNote: Courses cannot double count for the core and the concentration. |
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Geographic Information Systems and Analysis Concentration In addition, students must take at least FOUR of the following courses, with at least one each from Data Analysis and Data Output categories. 1. Data Analysis |
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(3) |
Remote Sensing (GEOG 103; passing score on ELM recommended) |
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(3) |
Advanced Geographic Information Systems (GEOG 109 or instructor permission) |
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(3) |
Spatial Analysis |
2. Data Output |
(3) |
Computer Cartography |
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(3) |
Applied Geographic Information Systems (GEOG 109) |
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(3) |
Internet Geographic Information Systems (GEOG 109, CSC 1; or instructor permission) |
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(3) |
Special Problems (Approval of the faculty sponsor and Department chair) |
It is recommended that students take GEOG 193A, GEOG 193B, or GEOG 193C to satisfy their Geographic Techniques core area requirement. Human Geography Concentration |
(3) |
Geography of Economic Activity |
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(3) |
Population Geography |
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(3) |
Urban Geography |
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(3) |
Urban and Regional Planning (GEOG 147 or instructor permission) |
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(3) |
Transportation Geography (GEOG 141 or GEOG 147 or instructor permission) |
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(3) |
California's Water Resources |
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(3) |
Applied Geographic Information Systems (GEOG 109) |
TWO additional regional geography courses from this list: |
(3) |
United States and Canada |
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(3) |
South America |
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(3) |
Geography of East Asia |
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(3) |
Geography of Africa |
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(3) |
Geography of Europe |
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(3) |
California |
ONE additional technique course from this list: |
(3) |
Computer Cartography |
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(3) |
Remote Sensing (GEOG 103; passing score on ELM recommended) |
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(3) |
Geographic Information Systems |
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(3) |
Advanced Geographic Information Systems (GEOG 109 or instructor permission) |
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(3) |
Applied Geographic Information Systems (GEOG 109) |
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(3) |
Spatial Analysis |
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(3) |
Internet Geographic Information Systems (GEOG 109, CSC 1; or instructor permission) |
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(3) |
Field Geography: Urban-Metropolitan |
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(3) |
Field Geography: Suburban-Rural (GEOG 1, GEOG 103 or GEOG 105; or instructor permission) |
*The technique cannot be a field course if a field course was taken for the core. |
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Metropolitan Area Planning Concentration |
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(3) |
Geographic Information Systems |
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(3) |
Urban and Regional Planning (GEOG 147 or instructor permission) |
TWO of the following urban elective courses, one of which must be GEOG 147 or GEOG 149: |
(3) |
Geography of Economic Activity |
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(3) |
Population Geography |
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(3) |
Urban Geography |
(3) |
Transportation Geography (GEOG 141 or GEOG 147, or instructor permission) |
ONE of the following technique elective courses: |
(3) |
Computer Cartography |
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(3) |
Remote Sensing (GEOG 103; passing score on ELM recommended) |
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(3) |
Advanced Geographic Information Systems (GEOG 109 or instructor permission) |
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(3) |
Applied Geographic Information Systems (GEOG 109) |
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(3) |
Spatial Analysis |
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(3) |
Field Geography: Urban-Metropolitan |
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(3) |
Field Geography: Suburban-Rural (GEOG 1, GEOG 103 or GEOG 105; or instructor permission) |
*The technique cannot be a field course if a field course was taken for the core. Additional Recommended Courses: |
(3) |
State and Local Government Finance (ECON 1A and ECON 1B, or ECON 104) |
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(3) |
Urban Economics (ECON 1B) |
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(3) |
Environmental Impact Analysis: CEQA and NEPA |
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(3) |
California |
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(3) |
California's Water Resources |
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(3) |
The City in US History |
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(3) |
California Architecture and Urban History | |
(3) |
Real Estate Development (Junior status or instructor permission) |
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(3) |
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(3) |
Design in Recreation, Parks, and Tourism Facilities |
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Physical Geography Concentration |
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(3) |
Elements of Meteorology (GEOG 1 or instructor permission) |
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(3) |
Geography of Plants and Animals (GEOG 1) |
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(3) |
Global Climate Change (GEOG 1 or instructor permission) |
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(3) |
Landforms (GEOG 1 or instructor permission) |
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(3) |
California's Water Resources |
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(3) |
Field Geography: Physical (GEOG 1, GEOG 117, GEOG 109 or GEOG 103 or GEOG 105; or instructor permission) |
*The technique cannot be a field course if a field course was taken for the core. GEOG 113 can be used to meet the physical geography breadth requirement in the core, but cannot be used in the concentration. ONE additional technique course from this list: |
(3) |
Computer Cartography |
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(3) |
Remote Sensing (GEOG 103; passing score on ELM recommended) |
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(3) |
Geographic Information Systems |
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(3) |
Advanced Geographic Information Systems (GEOG 109 or instructor permission) |
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(3) |
Applied Geographic Information Systems (GEOG 109) |
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(3) |
Spatial Analysis |
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(3) |
Internet Geographic Information Systems (GEOG 109, CSC 1; or instructor permission) |
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Requirements - Minor - Geography |
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Total units required for Minor: 18 |
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(6) Two of the following lower division courses: |
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Physical Geography: The Distribution of Natural Phenomena |
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Cultural Geography |
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Introduction to Maps and Geographic Technologies |
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(9) A minimum of 9 units upper division Geography, excluding GEOG 194, GEOG 195, GEOG 198, and GEOG 199. |
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(3) Three additional units in Geography, either lower division or upper division. |
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Courses must be selected in consultation with and approved by a faculty advisor in Geography. A minimum of 6 upper division units must be earned in residence. |
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Requirements - Minor - Geographic Information Systems |
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Total units required for Minor: 18 Courses in parentheses are prerequisites. |
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Required Courses (9 units) |
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(3) |
Introduction to Maps and Geographic Technologies |
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(3) |
Geographic Information Systems |
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(3) |
Advanced Geographic Information Systems (GEOG 109 or instructor permission) |
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(9) Select three of the following: |
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Computer Cartography |
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Remote Sensing (GEOG 103; passing score on ELM recommended) |
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Applied GIS (GEOG 109) |
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Spatial Analysis |
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Internet Geographic Information Systems (GEOG 109, CSC 1; or instructor permission) |
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Three units of upper division GIS coursework from another department with permission of the GIS Minor advisor. |
Courses must be selected in consultation and approved by a faculty advisor in Geography. A minimum of 6 upper division units must be earned in residence. |
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Requirements - Certificate - Pre - Planning |
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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. Courses in parentheses are prerequisites. |
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| Metropolitan Planning | ||
(15) Select five of the following: |
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Introduction to the U.S. Economy |
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Economics and Environmental Degradation |
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Geographic Information Systems |
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Population Geography |
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Urban Geography |
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Urban and Regional Planning (GEOG 147 or instructor permission) |
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| Transportation Geography (GEOG 141 or GEOG 147 or instructor permission) | ||
California's Water Resources |
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Public Policy Development (GOVT 1 or equivalent; GWAR Certification before Fall 09, or WPJ score of 70+, or at least a C- in ENGL ENGL 109M/W) |
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California State and Local Government |
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The City in U.S. History |
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| Resource Planning | ||
(15-16) Select five of the following: |
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Economics and Environmental Degradation |
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Geographic Information Systems |
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Landforms (GEOG 1 or instructor permission) |
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California's Water Resources |
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Physical Geology |
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Public Policy Development (GOVT 1 or equivalent; GWAR Certification before Fall 09, or WPJ score of 70+, or at least a C- in ENGL 109M/W) |
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California State and Local Government |
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Management of Contemporary Organizations |
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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 · Sustainability Coordinator · Water Resources Analyst · Redevelopment Specialist · Land Economist · Recreation Planner · Locational Analyst · 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, Mathew Schmidtlein, James Wanket
Contact Information
Robin Datel, Department Chair
Laura Summers, Administrative Support Coordinator
Amador Hall 550
(916) 278-6109
www.csus.edu/geog
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