Geography (GEOG)
Contact the Earth Sciences Department for further information, (760)
744-1150, ext. 2512
Associate in Arts degree requirements are listed in Section 6
of the catalog. Certificates of Achievement or Proficiency
require a minimum grade of “C” in each of the required
courses.
PROGRAM OF STUDY
Geographic Information Systems
The Geographic Information Systems Certificate program is designed to provide entry-level training for students seeking employment in this fast-growing profession, or to upgrade the skills for those already working in the field of Geographic Information Systems. The program may be completed in one year including summer session
Associate in Arts degree requirements are listed in Section 6 of the catalog. Certificates of Achievement or Proficiency require a minimum grade of “C” in each of the required courses.
Certificate of Proficiency
Program Requirements Units
GEOG 120 Intro to Geographic Information Sys/GIS Software 4
GEOG 132 Database Management and Data Acquisition 4
GEOG 134 GIS Applications 2
GEOG 136 Intermediate ArcGIS: GIS Analysis 2
GEOG 138 GIS Internship 2
TOTAL UNITS 14
COURSE OFFERINGS
GEOG 100 Physical Geography (3)
3 hours lecture
Transfer acceptability: CSU; UC; CAN GEOG 2
A study of earth’s physical environment with emphasis on weather, climate, landform, soils, and natural vegetation and the interrelationship between these elements within unique physical landscapes.
GEOG 100L Physical Geography Laboratory (1)
3 hours laboratory
Prerequisite: Completion of, or concurrent enrollment in, GEOG 100
Transfer acceptability: CSU; UC
Laboratory and field investigations in weather elements, climate regions, soils, world ecosystems, and Earth's landform features. Satisfies laboratory requirement in physical sciences.
GEOG 103 World Regional Geography (3)
3 hours lecture
Transfer acceptability: CSU; UC
Critical survey of the major world regions with specific focus on physical and cultural components, such as development, economics, population and migration, political structure, and natural resources and the physical environment.
GEOG 105 Introduction to Human Geography (3)
3 hours lecture
Transfer acceptability: CSU; UC; CAN GEOG 4
Human elements of geography, including population distribution, general land‑use patterns, religion, trade and economy, and their correlation with the physical elements. Emphasis on world cultural regions with attention paid to interdependence and globalization.
GEOG 110 Meteorology: Weather and Climate (3)
3 hours lecture
Transfer acceptability: CSU; UC
Elements of weather including temperature, moisture, air pressure, and circulation of the atmosphere; air masses, storms, and their geographical distribution. Practical applications in the use of weather instruments, and the reading and interpretation of weather maps and climatological data.
GEOG 115 Natural Disasters and Environmental Hazards (3)
3 hours lecture
Transfer acceptability: CSU; UC
Examination and analysis of natural disasters and environmental hazards including earthquakes, volcanic activity, landslides, atmospheric pollution, water pollution, flooding, waste disposal, global climate change, and medical geology and geography.
GEOG 120 Introduction to Geographic Information
Systems and GIS Software (4)
3 hours lecture/3 hours laboratory
Recommended preparation: GEOG 100 and CSIS 105
Transfer acceptability: CSU; UC
This course is an introduction to the mapping sciences with a primary focus on Geographic Information Systems (GIS). Course will cover the trends, history, structure, application, hardware and software, and basic operations of GIS in order to provide a foundation for the use of GIS software. Related geographic technologies to be examined include mapping, aerial and satellite imagery, and Global Positioning Systems (GPS). The lab portion of the course will provide introductory training in the use of ArcGIS software including identifying, evaluating, and inputting spatial data, developing and using raster and vector data sets, converting data from one form to another, and applying programming with GIS software.
GEOG 125 California Geology and Geography (3)
3 hours lecture
Note: Cross listed as GEOL 125
Transfer acceptability: CSU; UC
Emphasizes the physical geographic and geologic factors that have combined to form the varied landscapes of California. Climate and vegetation patterns, as well as the various geomorphic processes will be studied.
GEOG 132 Database Management and Data Acquisition (4)
4 hours lecture
Prerequisite: Completion of, or concurrent enrollment in, GEOG 120
Transfer acceptability: CSU
Course provides students with knowledge and practical experience in the fundamentals of database management, and the acquisition, conversion, and creation of spatial data within Geographic Information Systems (GIS). Topics to include strategic design, querying, modeling techniques, data appropriateness and accuracy, hardware and software requirements, conversion of digital data, creating digital data using digitizers, scanners and Global Positioning Systems (GPS), and utilization of remote sensing, photogrammetry, and web-based data. This course provides hands-on experience with database management and data acquisition using ArcGIS software.
GEOG 134 GIS Applications (2)
4 hours lecture/laboratory
Prerequisite: GEOG 120
Transfer acceptability: CSU
This course provides students with knowledge and practical experience in Geographic Information Systems (GIS) applications. Students will learn the fundamentals of GIS programming, converting data for web publications, and developing GIS applications. The lab portion of this course provides hands-on experience with GIS programming using Visual Basic for Applications (VBA), data conversion using Arc Tools, and applications development using MapObjects software.
GEOG 136 Intermediate ArcGIS: GIS Analysis (2)
4 hours lecture/laboratory
Prerequisite: GEOG 120
Transfer acceptability:
CSU
This course will focus on more complex operations in using ArcGIS software. Students will gain hands-on experience in advanced querying operations, the use of ArcGIS extensions such as Spatial Analyst and 3D Analyst, transforming coordinates using Coordinate Geometry, using a GPS unit to generate and input spatial data, and the application of ArcGIS as an analytical tool in a variety of disciplines.
GEOG 138 GIS Internship (2)
6 hours laboratory
Prerequisite: GEOG 120
Transfer acceptability: CSU
The Geographic Information Systems (GIS) internship is a directed program allowing students to apply classroom instruction to real-world GIS problem solving by working with a government or private agency. Students will be under the supervision of an instructor from the college and an advisor from the agency while working in one or more aspects of GIS operations.
GEOG 195 Regional Field Studies in
Geography (1,2,3)
2, 4, or 6 hours lecture/laboratory
Note: May be taken 4 times with different content for a maximum of six units
Transfer acceptability: CSU; UC – Credit determined by UC upon review of course syllabus.
Extended field studies of the geography of selected regions. Emphasis upon field observation and interpretation of climate, meteorology, vegetation, soils, and landforms.
GEOG 295 Directed Study in Geography (1,2,3)
3, 6, or 9 hours laboratory
Prerequisite: Approval of project or research by instructor
Note: May be taken 4 times for a maximum of six units
Transfer acceptability: CSU; UC – Credit determined by UC upon review of course syllabus.
Independent study for students who have demonstrated skills and/or proficiencies in geography subjects and have the initiative to work independently on projects or research outside the context of regularly scheduled classes. Students will work under the personal supervision of an instructor.