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Geography

Overview Degrees/Certificates Courses Faculty

Associate Degrees for Transfer

A.A.-T. in Geography

Geography is a comprehensive discipline that seeks to understand the landscapes, features, occupants, and processes of the Earth. Geographers study the complex relationships among geographic places, natural systems, society, cultural activities, and the interdependence of all these over space and time. Geography is often seen as a bridge between human and physical sciences.



There are three main branches of geography: human geography physical geography and Geographic Information Systems(GIS. Human geography is concerned with the spatial aspects of human existence – how people and their activities are distributed in space, how people use and perceive space, and how people create and sustain the places that make up Earth’s surface. Physical geographers study the physical elements and spatial processes that make up and shape the environment, including energy, air, water, weather, climate, landforms, soils, animals, and plants. All geographers employ skills in cartography and spatial analysis.



Geographers also study the linkages between human activity and natural systems. Geographers were, in fact, among the first scientists to sound the alarm that human-induced changes to the environment were beginning to threaten the balance of life itself. Geographers today are active in the study of global warming, desertification, deforestation, loss of biodiversity, groundwater pollution, flooding, and more.



The A.A. transfer degree in geography provides students with a solid foundation in geography as well as the standard prerequisites for upper division coursework leading to the baccalaureate degree. The required and elective coursework surveys a broad spectrum of physical geography, human geography, GIS, and related disciplines.



For students planning to transfer to a four-year school with a major in geography, it is critical that you meet with an FLC counselor to select and plan the courses for your major. Schools can vary widely in terms of the required lower division preparation.

Catalog Date: August 1, 2024

Degree Requirements

Course Code Course Title Units
GEOG 300 Physical Geography: Exploring Earth's Environmental Systems 3
GEOG 301 Physical Geography Laboratory 1
GEOG 310 Human Geography: Exploring Earth's Cultural Landscapes 3
A minimum of 6 units from the following: 6
List A: Complete at least 6 units from the following:
GEOG 306 Weather and Climate (3)
GEOG 322 Geography of California (3)
GEOG 330 Introduction to Geographic Information Systems (3)
GEOG 331 Exploring Maps and Geographic Technologies (3)
GEOG 391 Field Studies in Geography: Mountain Landscapes (1 - 4)
A minimum of 6 units from the following: 6
List B: Complete a minimum of 6 units from the following:
ANTH 310 Cultural Anthropology (3)
BIOL 350 Environmental Biology (3)
BIOL 410 Principles of Botany (5)
GEOG 334 Introduction to GIS Software Applications (3)
GEOG 391 Field Studies in Geography: Mountain Landscapes (1 - 4)
GEOG 392 Field Studies in Geography: Coastal Landscapes (1 - 4)
GEOG 393 Field Studies in Geography: Arid Landscapes (1 - 4)
GEOG 394 Field Studies in Geography: Volcanic Landscapes (1 - 4)
GEOL 300 Physical Geology (3)
GEOL 330 Introduction to Oceanography (3)
PHIL 320 Logic and Critical Reasoning (3)
POLS 310 Introduction to International Relations (3)
STAT 300 Introduction to Probability and Statistics (4)
Total Units: 19

The Associate in Arts in Geography for Transfer (AA-T) degree may be obtained by completion of 60 transferable, semester units with a minimum overall grade point average (GPA) of 2.0, including (a) a minimum grade of "C" (or "P") for each course in the major or area of emphasis described in the Required Program, and (b) either the Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC) or the California State University General Education-Breadth Requirements.

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this program, the student will be able to:

  • understand and describe the complexity of relationships between humans and their environment.
  • demonstrate an awareness of the physical processes that shape the Earth.
  • compare and contrast the general biophysical and sociocultural differences and similarities among world regions.
  • recognize the utility of and demonstrate a proficiency with geospatial analysis techniques (GIS, cartography, spatial data collection and analysis, etc.) in solving contemporary geography problems.
  • evaluate the role that collegiate geographic studies can play in preparing a student for contemporary career in the geosciences.

Associate Degrees

A.A. in Interdisciplinary Studies: Social and Behavioral Sciences

The Interdisciplinary Studies degree is designed for students who wish a broad knowledge of arts and sciences plus additional coursework in a prescribed “Area of Emphasis”. This program is a good choice for students planning on transferring to the California State University or University of California. The student will be able to satisfy general education requirements, plus focus on transferable coursework that relates to a specific major and/or individual interest. This degree will have an "Area of Emphasis" in Social and Behavioral Sciences. These courses emphasize the perspectives, concepts, theories, and methodologies of the disciplines typically found in the vast variety of disciplines that comprise study in the Social and Behavioral Sciences. Students will study about themselves and others as members of a larger society. Topics and discussions to stimulate critical thinking about ways people have acted in response to their societies will allow students to evaluate how societies and social subgroups operate. (Possible majors at a four-year institution include, but are not limited to: history, sociology, social studies, psychology, and family consumer science.)



It is highly recommended that students consult a counselor to determine the classes within each area that will best prepare them for their intended transfer major.

Catalog Date: August 1, 2024

Degree Requirements

Course Code Course Title Units
A minimum of 18 units from the following: 18
Select courses from at least 3 different disciplines.
ADMJ 300 Introduction to Administration of Justice (3)
ADMJ 302 Community Relations: Multicultural Issues (3)
ADMJ 320 Concepts of Criminal Law (3)
ANTH 310 Cultural Anthropology (3)
ANTH 319 Visual Anthropology: Introduction to Ethnographic Film (3)
ANTH 323 Introduction to Archaeology (3)
ANTH 330 Magic, Witchcraft, and Religion (3)
ANTH 341 Introduction to Linguistics (3)
BUS 320 Concepts in Personal Finance (3)
   or ECON 320 Concepts in Personal Finance (3)
BUS 330 Managing Diversity in the Workplace (3)
BUS 340 Business Law (3)
BUS 345 Law and Society (3)
COMM 325 Intercultural Communication (3)
COMM 341 Organizational Communication (3)
COMM 351 Mass Media and Society (3)
COMM 363 Introduction to Communication Theory (3)
ECON 302 Principles of Macroeconomics (3)
ECON 304 Principles of Microeconomics (3)
ECE 312 Child Development (3)
   or PSYC 372 Child Development (3)
ECE 314 The Child, the Family and the Community (3)
ECE 330 Infant and Toddler Development (3)
ECE 430 Culture and Diversity in Early Childhood Education (3)
ETHNS 300 Introduction to Ethnic Studies (3)
ETHNS 320 Introduction to African American Studies (3)
ETHNS 330 Introduction to Asian American Studies (3)
ETHNS 360 Introduction to Chicana/o/x Studies (3)
ETHNS 350 Introduction to Native American Studies (3)
GEOG 310 Human Geography: Exploring Earth's Cultural Landscapes (3)
GEOG 322 Geography of California (3)
HIST 307 History of World Civilizations to 1500 (3)
HIST 308 History of World Civilizations, 1500 to Present (3)
HIST 310 History of the United States (To 1877) (3)
HIST 311 History of the United States (1865 - Present) (3)
HIST 314 Recent United States History (3)
HIST 319 American Environmental History (3)
HIST 331 Women in American History (3)
HIST 344 Survey of California History: A Multicultural Perspective (3)
HIST 368 History of France (3)
JOUR 310 Mass Media and Society (3)
NUTRI 310 Cultural Foods of the World (3)
POLS 301 Introduction to Government: United States (3)
POLS 302 Comparative Politics (3)
POLS 310 Introduction to International Relations (3)
POLS 320 Introduction to Political Theory (3)
PSYC 300 General Principles (3)
PSYC 312 Biological Psychology (4)
PSYC 320 Social Psychology (3)
PSYC 335 Research Methods in Psychology (3)
PSYC 340 Abnormal Behavior (3)
PSYC 356 Human Sexuality (3)
PSYC 368 Cross Cultural Psychology (3)
   or SWHS 331 Cross Cultural Psychology (3)
PSYC 370 Human Development: A Life Span (3)
SJS 300 Introduction to Social Justice Studies (3)
SOC 300 Introductory Sociology (3)
SOC 301 Social Problems (3)
SOC 310 Marriage and the Family (3)
SOC 321 Race, Ethnicity and Inequality in the United States (3)
SOC 341 Sex and Gender in the U.S. (3)
SOC 379 Making Social Change (3)
SWHS 302 Introduction to Psychology of Human Relations (3)
Total Units: 18

The Interdisciplinary Studies: Social and Behavioral Sciences Associate in Arts (A.A.) degree may be obtained by completion of the required program, plus general education requirements, plus sufficient electives to meet a 60-unit total. See FLC graduation requirements.

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this program, the student will be able to:

  • evaluate how societies and social subgroups operate (Social and Behavioral Sciences).

Certificate of Achievement

Geographic Information Systems Certificate

A Geographic Information System (GIS) is an assemblage of computers, software, and workforce personnel collecting, managing, analyzing and displaying spatial data. GIS is used to make informed decisions regarding an array of disciplines including Marketing, Forestry, Hazard Analysis, Landuse Planning, Business, Watershed Management, and Anthropology. This interdisciplinary certificate provides the theoretical and technical skills necessary to begin using GIS in a wide variety of applications. Skills obtained include GIS software application, GPS use, spatial data analysis, data management, programming and cartography.

Catalog Date: August 1, 2024

Certificate Requirements

Course Code Course Title Units
GEOG 331 Exploring Maps and Geographic Technologies (3) 3
GEOG 334 Introduction to GIS Software Applications 3
A minimum of 1 unit from the following: 1
GEOG 300 Physical Geography: Exploring Earth's Environmental Systems (3)
GEOG 301 Physical Geography Laboratory (1)
GEOG 390 Field Studies in Geography (1 - 4)
GEOG 391 Field Studies in Geography: Mountain Landscapes (1 - 4)
GEOG 392 Field Studies in Geography: Coastal Landscapes (1 - 4)
GEOG 393 Field Studies in Geography: Arid Landscapes (1 - 4)
GEOG 394 Field Studies in Geography: Volcanic Landscapes (1 - 4)
BUSTEC 309 Computer Familiarization (1)
CISC 310 Introduction to Computer Information Science (3)
CISP 360 Introduction to Structured Programming (4)
CISP 370 Beginning Visual Basic (4)
CISP 400 Object Oriented Programming with C++ (4)
CISP 401 Object Oriented Programming with Java (4)
CISP 407 Programming in Python (4)
CISP 430 Data Structures (4)
Total Units: 7

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this program, the student will be able to:

  • demonstrate proficiency in the application of GIS software and related technologies.
  • demonstrate proficiency in the collection, management, organization and manipulation of spatial data.
  • adeptly employ the principles of cartography in a GIS environment.
  • demonstrate proficiency in the application of spatial analysis skills.

Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics

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This program is part of the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics meta-major.

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Liberal Arts and Social Sciences

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This program is part of the Liberal Arts and Social Sciences meta-major.

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Check Out Degree Planner

If you're interested in a transfer degree (AA-T or AS-T), then check out Degree Planner, a tool that helps you complete your degree efficiently by mapping out what courses to take and when to take them.

Degree Planner