Geography

Geographers study the distribution of people in relation to land and other natural resources. They examine the distribution of land forms, study climate, soils, or vegetation, analyze resources such as water and minerals, or they may study political organizations, transportation systems, marketing systems, patterns of industrial development, housing, or public health. Additional careers include cartographer, demographer, geographic information specialist, hazardous waste planner, hydrologist, urban planner and environmental impact analyst.

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Programs Offered

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Transfer Preparation

Many colleges/universities offer baccalaureate degrees in this field. Students planning to transfer to a four-year college or university should complete the lower-division major requirements and the general education pattern for the specific transfer institution. SMC has articulation agreements with the many UC and CSU campuses, as well as several private and out-of-state institutions.

Exact major requirements for UC and CSU campuses can be found online at assist.org.

A listing of private, nonprofit California colleges and universities can be found online at aiccu.edu. For articulation agreements between SMC and some of these institutions see smc.edu/articulation.

SMC offers the Early Childhood Education Associate Degree for Transfer. Students completing this degree are eligible for priority transfer admission consideration in the majors at many California State University campuses. In addition, students will be required to complete no more than 60 semester/90 quarter CSU units of coursework after transfer to complete the baccalaureate degree.

NOTE: Students considering transfer to a UC, private, or out-of-state school should consult a counselor BEFORE applying to transfer, as the transfer requirements may be different from those required for the Early Childhood Education AS-T.

The most current list of CSU campuses accepting this Associate Degree for Transfer is available online at CSU Associate Degree for Transfer Major & Campus Search

Geography, Associate Degree for Transfer

The Associate in Arts in Geography for Transfer (AA-T) involves the understanding of the environment around us and interpretation of the patterns found across the Earth’s surface. The course of study allows flexibility in course selection while providing a solid background in human, physical, and regional aspects of the discipline. The degree includes GIS, focusing on the use of geocomputation and digital technology to assess spatial and environmental problems and provide solutions. Throughout the degree, students will acquire and develop knowledge and skills that will equip them to be informed, engaged, and productive global citizens, capable of leading humanity toward a more sustainable and adaptable future.

Program Learning Outcomes: Upon completion of the program, students will demonstrate cartographic literacy, including map interpretation and, using spatial analysis skills, analyze, recognize, and evaluate spatial distributions on all scales from local to global, to become better global citizens. Students will also demonstrate the ability to identify spatial patterns and relationships between systems and cycles that affect life and shape landscapes.

Area of Emphasis: (18 units)

Required Core Courses: (6 units minimum)

GEOG 1,Physical Geography(3)

GEOG 5,Physical Geology with Lab(4)

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GEOG 2,Introduction to Human Geography(3)

Area A: Select 2 courses from the following: (6 units)

GEOG 3,Weather and Climate(3)

GEOG 11,World Geography: Introduction to Global Studies (same as GLOBAL 11)(3)

GEOG 14,Geography of California(4)

GEOG 20,Introduction to Geographic Information Systems (same as GIS 20)(3)

GIS 20,Introduction to Geographic Information Systems (same as GEOG 20)(3)

GLOBAL 11,World Geography: Introduction to Global Studies (same as GEOG 11)(3)

Area B: Select 2 courses from the following: (6 units)

Any course(s) not used in Area A:

ANTHRO 1,Biological Anthropology(3)

ANTHRO 5,Biological Anthropology with Lab(4)

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ANTHRO 2,Cultural Anthropology(3)

ANTHRO 3,World Archaeology(3)

BIOL 3,Fundamentals of Biology(4)

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BOTANY 1,General Botany(4)

BOTANY 3,Field Botany(4)

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CHEM 11,General Chemistry I(5)

CS 20B,Data Structures with Java(3)

CS 55,Java Programming(3)

ENGL 2,Critical Analysis and Intermediate Composition(3)

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ENGL 31,Advanced Composition(3)

HIST 47,The Practice of History(3)

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ENVRN 7,Introduction to Environmental Studies (same as GEOG 7)(3)

GEOG 7,Introduction to Environmental Studies (same as ENVRN 7)(3)

GEOG 8,Introduction to Urban Studies (same as URBAN 8)(3)

GEOG 10,Living in a Hazardous Environment(3)

GEOG 23,Intermediate Geographic Information Systems (same as GIS 23)(3)

GEOG 24,Geospatial Imagery: Maps for the Twenty-First Century(3)

GIS 19,Geographic Information Systems for Business(3)

GIS 23,Intermediate Geographic Information Systems (same as GEOG 23)(3)

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GEOL 1,Physical Geology without Lab(3)

GEOL 4,Physical Geology with Lab(4)

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MATH 2,Precalculus(5)

MATH 7,Calculus 1(5)

MATH 8,Calculus 2(5)

MATH 54,Elementary Statistics(4)

PHYSCS 8,Calculus-based General Physics 1 with Lab(4)

URBAN 8,Introduction to Urban Studies (same as GEOG 8)(3)