Degrees & Certificates
Geography AA-T
The Greek derivation of the word geography is "earth description." Geography studies natural features such as mountain ranges, rivers, valleys, forests, deserts, and grasslands, as well as man-made features such as cities, roads, dams, and bridges. Geography is truly an integrated discipline. It helps us to understand our natural environment and its capacity to maintain life. Is this capacity of supporting human civilization unlimited? If not, how much more can we abuse our physical environment without diminishing its capacity to sustain life? Geography is central to an understanding of the international global arena and provides an exciting and challenging way to examine our planet.
The intent of the Associate in Arts in Geography degree for Transfer is to assist students in transferring into the California State University System and will prepare them for baccalaureate level work in Geography or a similar major. Students completing the AA-T degree receive a guarantee of admission with junior status into the California State University System. CSU is required to grant priority admission for a student with this associate degree “to his or her local [CSU] campus and to a program or major that is similar to his or her community college major or area of emphasis, as determined by the [CSU] campus to which the student is admitted.” In addition, “A student…shall receive priority over all other community college transfer students, excluding community college students who have entered into a transfer agreement between a community college and the California State University prior to the fall term of the 2013-14 academic years.”
Completion Requirements:
- Completion of 60 semester units that are eligible for transfer to the California State
University, including both of the following:
- The Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC) or CA State University General Education - Breadth Requirements.
- A minimum of 18 semester units in a major or area of emphasis, as determined by the community college district.
- Obtainment of a minimum grade point average of 2.0.
AD-Ts also require the students must earn a C or better in all courses required for the major or area of emphasis. A “P” (Pass) grade is not acceptable grade for courses in the major.
Career Opportunities
Geography serves as an excellent undergraduate major. With additional study, geography majors may find opportunities in city, county, and state governments in the field of Geographic Information Systems (GIS), urban planning, and environmental studies because of their broad training. Th e national mapping division of the United States Geological Survey traditionally needs geographers in map making and its related job openings such as photo-interpretation, satellite image analysis, land use and land cover mapping. In addition, the analytical skills gained through a Geography major provide a strong foundation for graduate study in law, urban planning and architecture.
| Course | Units |
|---|---|
| GEOG 1 (Introduction to Physical Geography) | 3 |
| GEOG 1L (Introduction to Physical Geography Laboratory) | 1 |
| GEOG 2 (Cultural Geography) | 3 |
| Course | Units |
|---|---|
| GEOG 5 (World Regional Geography) | 3 |
| GEOG 8 (Weather and Climate) | 3 |
| GEOG 12 (Geography of California) | 3 |
| GEOG 15 (Introduction to GIS) | 3 |
| Course | Units |
|---|---|
| Any course from LIST A not already used | 3 |
| ANTR 3 (Cultural Anthropology) | 3 |
| GEOL 1 (Physical Geology) | 3 |
| Units Category | Units |
|---|---|
| Total Units in the Major | 19 |
| Additional General Education and Elective Units | 41 |
| Total Units | 60 |
See the Las Positas College California State University General Education-Breadth or the Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (for CSU) patterns for a listing of areas and courses. Double counting courses in GE and the major is permissible. The number of units that may be double counted will depend on the entry point to the degree program and the optional course(s) taken. Consult with an adviser or a counselor to plan the courses necessary to achieve your academic goal.