GEOGRAPHY
College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics
PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
Geography students at Sacramento State explore Earth’s natural and cultural environments using methods from the natural sciences and the social sciences. They study climate, weather, landforms, water resources, and plants and animals, as well as peoples, societies, economies, and cities. These phenomena overlap in intricate ways, giving rise to distinctive places and regions. Geography’s approach emphasizes Earth’s spatial relationships and patterns, and the processes that govern them, whether found in nature or in human behavior.
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. Geography students study and address complex issues, especially those with a human-environment interface, such as climate change, resource management, urban growth and design, globalization, immigration, ethnic identity, 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, topical classes on subjects from meteorology to transportation, and technique classes that include GIS, map making, quantitative methods, 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. It also encourages and facilitates students going on Education Abroad.
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
- Various pathways to complete the major, providing flexibility and the opportunity to make efficient progress toward graduation
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)
(3) |
Physical Geography: The Distribution of Natural Phenomena |
|
(3) |
Cultural Geography |
|
(3) |
Introduction to Maps and Geographic Technologies |
|
(1) |
Laboratory in Physical Geography (GEOG 1; may be taken concurrently) |
B. Required Upper Division Core Courses (21 units)
(3) |
Ideas and Skills in Geography (GEOG 1 or GEOG 2 or GEOG 3 or GEOG 11) |
|
(3) |
Earth Transformed |
|
(3) |
Senior Research Seminar in Geography (GEOG 1, GEOG 2, GEOG 3, GEOG 102; senior standing; GWAR certification before Fall 09; or WPJ score of 80+; or 3-unit placement in ENGL 109M/W; or 4-unit placement in ENGL 109M/W and co-enrollment in ENGL 109X; or WPJ score 70/71 and co-enrollment in ENGL 109X; instructor permission) |
One course from each of the following four areas:
Geographic Techniques
(3) |
Computer Cartography (GEOG 109 or instructor permission) |
|
(3) |
Remote Sensing |
|
(3) |
Geographic Information Systems |
|
(3) |
Advanced Geographic Information Systems (GEOG 109 or instructor permission) |
|
(3) |
Applied Geographic Information Systems (GEOG 109) |
|
(3) |
Quantitative Methods in Geography |
|
(3) |
Field Geography: Urban-Metropolitan (Instructor permission) |
|
(3) |
Field Geography: Suburban-Rural (Instructor permission) |
|
(3) |
Field Geography: Physical (Instructor permission) |
Human Geography
(3) |
Geography of Economic Activity |
|
(3) |
Population Geography |
|
(3) |
Urban Geography |
|
(3) |
Urban and Regional Planning |
|
(3) |
GEOG 149 | Transportation Geography (GEOG 141 or GEOG 147 or GEOG 148 or instructor permission) |
(3) |
Applied GIS (GEOG 109) |
Physical Geography
(3) |
Elements of Meteorology (GEOG 1 or instructor permission) |
|
(3) |
Climate (GEOG 1 or GEOG 5 or GEOL 8 or GEOL 10 or ENVS 10, or instructor permission) |
|
(3) |
Biogeography (GEOG 1 or instructor permission) |
|
(3) |
Global Climate Change (GEOG 1 or instructor permission) |
|
(3) |
Landforms (GEOG 1 or instructor permission) |
|
(3) |
California's Water Resources |
Regional Geography
(3) |
United States and Canada |
|
(3) |
Geography of East Asia |
|
(3) |
Geography of Europe |
|
(3) |
California |
Additional Requirements for Concentrations
Note: Courses cannot double count for the core and the concentration.
Geographic Information Systems and Analysis Concentration
Emphasizes student development of geospatial skills. Geographic Information Science, cartography, remote sensing, and quantitative methods prepare students to tackle any problem with a spatial dimension—from advising an individual firm on good locations for a new branch or supplier to modeling the spread of wildfires across a region to analyzing the global spread of diseases or new technologies.
Students must take GEOG
109 Graphic Information Systems for the 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
(3) |
Remote Sensing |
|
(3) |
Advanced Geographic Information Systems (GEOG 109 or instructor permission) |
|
(3) |
Quantitative Methods in Geography |
2. Data Output
(3) |
Computer Cartography |
|
(3) |
Applied Geographic Information Systems (GEOG 109) |
|
(3) |
Internet Geographic Information Systems (GEOG 109, CSC 1; or instructor permission) |
|
(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
Examines how diverse human cultures and economies interact with natural environments to create distinctive places with unique achievements, challenges, and conflicts. Students acquire cross-cultural perspectives and knowledge relevant to globalization, international development, energy and other natural resource issues, hazards and disasters, migration and demography, and geopolitical situations.
TWO additional human geography courses from this list:
(3) |
Geography of Economic Activity |
|
(3) |
Population Geography |
|
(3) |
Urban Geography |
|
(3) |
Urban and Regional Planning |
|
(3) |
Transportation Geography (GEOG 141 or GEOG 147 or GEOG 148 or instructor permission) |
|
(3) |
California's Water Resources |
|
(3) |
Applied Geographic Information Systems (GEOG 109) |
TWO additional regional geography courses from this list:
(3) |
United States and Canada |
|
(3) |
Geography of East Asia |
|
(3) |
Geography of Africa |
|
(3) |
Geography of Europe |
|
(3) |
California |
ONE additional technique course from this list:
(3) |
Computer Cartography (GEOG 109 or instructor permission) |
|
(3) |
Remote Sensing |
|
(3) |
Geographic Information Systems |
|
(3) |
Advanced Geographic Information Systems (GEOG 109 or instructor permission) |
|
(3) |
Applied Geographic Information Systems (GEOG 109) |
|
(3) |
Quantitative Methods in Geography |
|
(3) |
Field Geography: Urban-Metropolitan (Instructor permission) |
|
(3) |
Field Geography: Suburban-Rural (Instructor permission) |
*The technique cannot be a field course if a field course was taken for the core. |
Metropolitan Area Planning Concentration
Helps students understand how cities have evolved, with an emphasis on spatial patterns and the role of transportation in structuring settlements. The concentration provides students with skills for designing cities that address important issues such as sustainability, affordable housing and transportation, a strong civic life, and public health and safety.
Students must take:
(3) |
Geographic Information Systems |
|
(3) |
Urban and Regional Planning |
TWO of the following urban elective courses, one of which must be GEOG 147 or GEOG 149:
(3) |
Geography of Economic Activity |
|
(3) |
Population Geography |
|
(3) |
Urban Geography |
(3) |
Transportation Geography (GEOG 141 or GEOG 147, or GEOG 148 or instructor permission) |
ONE of the following technique elective courses:
(3) |
Computer Cartography (GEOG 109 or instructor permission) |
|
(3) |
Remote Sensing |
|
(3) |
Advanced Geographic Information Systems (GEOG 109 or instructor permission) |
|
(3) |
Applied Geographic Information Systems (GEOG 109) |
|
(3) |
Quantitative Methods in Geography |
|
(3) |
Field Geography: Urban-Metropolitan (Instructor permission) |
|
(3) |
Field Geography: Suburban-Rural (Instructor permission) |
*The technique cannot be a field course if a field course was taken for the core.
Additional Recommended Courses:
The courses below provide valuable additional knowledge and perspectives for students choosing the MAP concentration:
(3) |
State and Local Government Finance (ECON 1A and ECON 1B, or ECON 104) |
|
(3) |
Urban Economics (ECON 1B) |
|
(3) |
Environmental Impact Analysis: CEQA and NEPA |
|
(3) |
California |
|
(3) |
California's Water Resources |
|
(3) |
The City in US History |
|
(3) |
California Architecture and Urban History | |
(3) |
Management of Recreation Facilities |
Physical Geography Concentration
Focuses on earth systems and human impacts on them, including global climate change. Students interested in natural science and environmental management study weather and climate, plant and animal communities, landforms, and water resources, emphasizing the growing human role in influencing and managing these complex interrelated systems.
FOUR additional physical geography courses from this list:
(3) |
Elements of Meteorology (GEOG 1 or instructor permission) |
|
(3) |
Biogeography (GEOG 1 or instructor permission) |
|
(3) |
Global Climate Change (GEOG 1 or instructor permission) |
|
(3) |
Landforms (GEOG 1 or instructor permission) |
|
(3) |
California's Water Resources |
|
(3) |
Field Geography: Physical (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 (GEOG 109 or instructor permission) |
|
(3) |
Remote Sensing |
|
(3) |
Geographic Information Systems |
|
(3) |
Advanced Geographic Information Systems (GEOG 109 or instructor permission) |
|
(3) |
Applied Geographic Information Systems (GEOG 109) |
|
(3) |
Quantitative Methods in Geography |
Requirements - Minor - Geography
Total units required for Minor: 18
(6) Two of the following lower division courses:
|
Physical Geography: The Distribution of Natural Phenomena |
|
|
Cultural Geography |
|
|
Introduction to Maps and Geographic Technologies |
|
(9) A minimum of 9 units upper division Geography, excluding GEOG 194, GEOG 195, GEOG 198, and GEOG 199. |
||
(3) Three additional units in Geography, either lower division or upper division. |
||
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.
Requirements - Minor - Geographic Information Systems
Total units required for Minor: 18
Courses in parentheses are prerequisites.
Required Courses (9 units)
(3) |
Introduction to Maps and Geographic Technologies |
|
(3) |
Geographic Information Systems |
|
(3) |
Advanced Geographic Information Systems (GEOG 109 or instructor permission) |
(9) Select three of the following:
|
Computer Cartography (GEOG 109 or instructor permission) |
|
|
Remote Sensing |
|
|
Applied GIS (GEOG 109) |
|
|
Quantitative Methods in Geography |
|
|
|
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.
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.
Courses in parentheses are prerequisites.
Metropolitan Planning
(15) Select five of the following:
Introduction to the U.S. Economy |
||
Economics and Environmental Degradation |
||
Geographic Information Systems |
||
Population Geography |
||
Urban Geography |
||
Urban and Regional Planning |
||
| Transportation Geography (GEOG 141 or GEOG 147 or GEOG 148 or instructor permission) | ||
California's Water Resources |
||
Public Policy Development (GOVT 1 or equivalent; GWAR Certification before Fall 09, or WPJ score of 80+; or 3-unit placement in ENGL 109M/W; or 4-unit placement in ENGL 109M/W and co-enrollment in ENGL 109X; or WPJ score 70/71 and co-enrollment in ENGL 109X) |
||
California State and Local Government |
||
The City in U.S. History |
Resource Planning
(15-16) Select five of the following:
Economics and Environmental Degradation |
||
Geographic Information Systems |
||
Landforms (GEOG 1 or instructor permission) |
||
California's Water Resources |
||
Physical Geology |
||
Public Policy Development (GOVT 1 or equivalent; GWAR Certification before Fall 09, or WPJ score of 80+; or 3-unit placement in ENGL 109M/W; or 4-unit placement in ENGL 109M/W and co-enrollment in ENGL 109X; or WPJ score 70/71 and co-enrollment in ENGL 109X) |
||
California State and Local Government |
||
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 · Resource Scientist · Meteorologist · Geospatial Intelligence Professional · Environmental Scientist · Geographic Information System Specialist · Geographic Consultant · Surveyor · Sustainability Coordinator · Water Resources Analyst · Redevelopment Specialist · Environmental Planner · Energy Analyst · Foreign Area Specialist · Land Economist · Recreation Planner · Locational Analyst · Environmental Education Specialist · Conservationist · Urban Planner · Transportation Planner · Aerial Photo Interpreter · Remote Sensing Specialist · Community Development Specialist · Land Use Planner · Demographer · Cultural Resources Manager · Air Resources Specialist · Real Estate Research Analyst · Pedestrian and Bicycle Advocate · Teacher· Recycling Coordinator · Route Planner · Habitat Manager
Faculty
Robin Datel, Marsha Dillon, Bruce Gervais, Thomas Krabacher, Miles Roberts, Michael Schmandt, Mathew Schmidtlein, James Wanket
Contact Information
Michael Schmandt, Department Chair
Crystal Little, Administrative Support Coordinator
Amador Hall 550
(916) 278-6109
www.csus.edu/geog