Geography

Geography AA-T

The Associate in Arts in Geography for Transfer Degree is designed to provide students a seamless transfer to the California State University system. The degree is designed to prepare students for a baccalaureate degree in Geography or similar major.

A degree in geography trains individuals to view the full scope of Earth’s natural and cultural systems from a spatial perspective; therefore, geographers have an important role to play in understanding and interpreting the many complex patterns and processes that characterize places/regions and determine the interactions that occur between and within places/regions. Geographers are employed as research scientists and teachers by educational institutions; international, federal, state, regional and local government agencies; local and regional planning firms; and environmental consulting firms. Geographers are generally analytical, inquisitive and creative. Geographers are trained to draw upon a variety of information sources/disciplines and to view the world from a holistic perspective. Because of their “bird’s eye view of the world,” geographers are often found to be well suited to project coordination and/or management.

Program student learning outcomes:

1. Use maps and other geographic representations, tools, and technologies to acquire, process, and report information from a spatial perspective.
2. Have an understanding of how physical processes shape the Earth’s surface and determine the character and spatial distribution of global climates and ecosystems.
3. Have an understanding of the characteristics, distribution, and migration of human populations on Earth’s surface.
4. Have an understanding of the characteristics, distribution, and complexity of Earth’s cultural mosaic.
5. Have an understanding of the patterns and networks of physical and cultural interdependence on Earth’s surface.
6. Have an understanding of how physical systems affect human systems and of how human actions affect physical systems.

Students must meet the following requirements to qualify for an Associates for Transfer Degree (ADT):

• Complete 60 semester units or 90 quarter units that are eligible for transfer to the California State University (CSU), including both of the following:
• The Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC) or the California State University General Education (CSU GE) Breadth Requirements
• A minimum of 18 semester units or 27 quarter units in a major or area of emphasis, as determined by the community college district.
• Obtain a minimum grade point average of 2.0
• Minimum grade of “C” (or “P”) for each course in the major, and
• Completion of the IGETC and/or CSU GE-Breadth