The Bachelor of Arts in Geography

Total Course Requirements for the Bachelor’s Degree: 120 units

See “Requirements for the Bachelor’s Degree” in The University Catalog for complete details on general degree requirements. A minimum of 40 units, including those required for the major, must be upper division.

The department has prepared a suggested Four Year Advising Plan to help students meet all graduation requirements within four years. Please request a plan from your major adviser or view it and other current advising information on the CSU, Chico Web.

General Education Requirements: 48 units

See “General Education Requirements” in The University Catalog and The Class Schedule for the most current information on General Education Requirements and course offerings. The course requirements marked below with an asterisk (*) may also be applied toward General Education.

Cultural Diversity Course Requirements: 6 units

See “Cultural Diversity” in The University Catalog. Most courses used to satisfy these requirements may also apply to General Education.

American Institutions Requirement: 6 units

See the “American Institutions Requirement” under “Bachelor’s Degree Requirements.” This requirement is normally fulfilled by completing HIST 050 and POLS 055. Courses used to satisfy this requirement do not apply to General Education.

Literacy Requirement:

See “Mathematics and Writing Requirements” in The University Catalog. Writing proficiency in the major is a graduation requirement and may be demonstrated through satisfactory completion of a course in your major which has been designated as the Writing Proficiency (WP) course for the semester in which you take the course. Students who earn below a C- are required to repeat the course and earn a C- or better to receive WP credit. See The Class Schedule for the designated WP courses for each semester. You must pass ENGL 001 (or its equivalent) with a C- or better before you may register for a WP course.

Course Requirements for the Major: 36-54 units

The following courses, or their approved transfer equivalents, are required of all candidates for this degree. Additional required courses, dependent upon a selected option or advising pattern, are outlined following the degree core program requirements.

DEGREE CORE PROGRAM: 18 units

6 courses required:

GEOG 001 Physical Geography 3.0 FS

GEOG 002 Human Geography 3.0 FS *NW

GEOG 108 Map & Air Photo Interpretation 3.0 FS

GEOG 109 Geography Research and Writing 3.0 FS

GEOG 110 Computer Applications Geography 3.0 FS

Prerequisites: CSCI 010 or SOSC 010 is recommended.

GEOG 290 Proseminar in Geography 3.0 FS

Prerequisites: ENGL 001 (or its equivalent) with a grade of C- or higher; senior standing; and GEOG 109.

Major Option Course Requirements: 18-36 units

The following courses, or their approved transfer equivalents, are required dependent upon the option chosen. Students must select one of the following options for completion of the major course requirements.

THE OPTION IN GENERAL GEOGRAPHY: 18-30 units

Option Core: 6 units

1 course selected from:

GEOG 101 Global Economic Geography 3.0 FS NW

GEOG 104 Environmental Issues 3.0 FS *

1 course selected from:

GEOG 103 Geography and World Affairs 3.0 FS *NW

or any upper-division regional geography course (GEOG 151-178).

Advising Pattern Course Requirements: 12-24 units

The following courses, or their approved transfer equivalents, are required depending upon the advising pattern chosen. Students must select one of the following advising patterns for completion of the major course requirements.

Select one of the following three advising patterns to complete requirements for the Option in General Geography.

Cartography/Geographical Information System Pattern: 24 units

3 courses required:

GEOG 113 Introductory Cartography 3.0 FA

Prerequisites: Network literacy via CSCI 010, SOSC 010, or GEOG 110.

GEOG 119 Intro to Geographical Info Syst 3.0 FS

Prerequisites: GEOG 110 or equivalent.

GEOG 213 Advanced Cartography 3.0 SP

Prerequisites: GEOG 108, GEOG 113.

3 courses selected from:

GEOG 115 Spatial Analysis 3.0 FA

Prerequisites: GEOG 110 or MATH 005 or equivalent.

GEOG 214 Aerial Photo Interpretation 3.0 SP

Prerequisites: GEOG 108 or equivalent.

GEOG 216 Locational Analysis 3.0 Inq

Prerequisites: Concurrent enrollment in or prior completion of GEOG 115 or equivalent.

GEOG 217 Field Techniques 3.0 SP

Prerequisites: Faculty permission.

GEOG 218 Remote Sensing 3.0 SP

Prerequisites: GEOG 108 and GEOG 115 or equivalents.

GEOG 219 Advanced Geog Info Systems 3.0 SP

Prerequisites: GEOG 115, GEOG 119.

6 units selected from:

CDES 122 Computer Graphics 3.0 FS

CDES 186A Digital Pre-publishing I 3.0 FS

Prerequisites: CDES 010, CDES 080, or faculty permission.

ENGR 002 Surveying for Non-Engineers 3.0 FS

Prerequisites: One semester of high school trigonometry or MATH 004.

MFGT 124 Solids Modeling for Manufacture 3.0 FA

Prerequisites: M E 025.

MINS 118 Database Application Development 3.0 FS

Prerequisites: BIS 110, MINS 018.

Human Geography Pattern: 12 units

9-12 units selected from:

GEOG 135 Geography and Tourism 3.0 FA

GEOG 139 American Cultural Landscapes 3.0 SP

GEOG 152 The United States 3.0 FA *

GEOG 153 Canada: Land and People 3.0 Inq

This course is the same as CAST 153 which may be substituted.

GEOG 154A Mexico: Land and People 3.0 FA *NW

This course is the same as LAST 102 which may be substituted.

GEOG 154B Central Amer/Carib: Land/People 3.0 Inq *NW

This course is the same as LAST 122 which may be substituted.

GEOG 155 South America 3.0 Inq

GEOG 160 Europe 3.0 Inq

GEOG 165 Former Soviet Union 3.0 SP

GEOG 170 Pacific Rim Regions 3.0 FA

GEOG 178 Australia and South Pacific 3.0 SP

GEOG 205 Nature and Society 3.0 SP

Prerequisites: GEOG 001 and GEOG 002 or equivalents.

GEOG 217 Field Techniques 3.0 SP

Prerequisites: Faculty permission.

GEOG 230 Geodemography 3.0 SP

Prerequisites: Faculty permission.

GEOG 235 Historical Geography North Amer 3.0 FA

Prerequisites: Faculty permission.

This course is the same as AMST 235 which may be substituted.

GEOG 250A Field Studies in Geography 1.0 Inq

Prerequisites: Faculty permission.

GEOG 250B Field Studies in Geography 2.0 Inq

Prerequisites: Faculty permission.

GEOG 250C Field Studies in Geography 3.0 Inq

Prerequisites: Faculty permission.

0-3 units selected from:

Any upper-division geography class in the cartography/GIS or environmental patterns.

Students choosing this pattern are encouraged to complete a minor in a related discipline after consulting with their adviser.

Environmental Geography Pattern: 24 units

4 courses required:

GEOG 201 Geomorphology 3.0 FA

Prerequisites: GEOG 001 or GEOS 002 or equivalent.

GEOG 203 Climatology 3.0 SP

Prerequisites: GEOG 001 or GEOS 020 or equivalent.

GEOG 204 Biogeography 3.0 FA

Prerequisites: GEOG 001 or introductory biology course or equivalent.

GEOG 260 Natural Hazards 3.0 SP

Prerequisites: GEOG 001 or equivalent.

1 course selected from:

GEOG 205 Nature and Society 3.0 SP

Prerequisites: GEOG 001 and GEOG 002 or equivalents.

GEOG 226 Water Resource Development 3.0 FA

Prerequisites: GEOG 104 or equivalent.

GEOG 227 Environmental Impact Analysis 3.0 FS

Prerequisites: GEOG 120 or equivalent.

3 courses selected from:

GEOG 113 Introductory Cartography 3.0 FA

Prerequisites: Network literacy via CSCI 010, SOSC 010, or GEOG 110.

GEOG 115 Spatial Analysis 3.0 FA

Prerequisites: GEOG 110 or MATH 005 or equivalent.

GEOG 119 Intro to Geographical Info Syst 3.0 FS

Prerequisites: GEOG 110 or equivalent.

GEOG 213 Advanced Cartography 3.0 SP

Prerequisites: GEOG 108, GEOG 113.

GEOG 214 Aerial Photo Interpretation 3.0 SP

Prerequisites: GEOG 108 or equivalent.

GEOG 217 Field Techniques 3.0 SP

Prerequisites: Faculty permission.

GEOG 218 Remote Sensing 3.0 SP

Prerequisites: GEOG 108 and GEOG 115 or equivalents.

GEOG 219 Advanced Geog Info Systems 3.0 SP

Prerequisites: GEOG 115, GEOG 119.

Students choosing this pattern are encouraged to take courses from related disciplines such as biology, geosciences, and plant and soil sciences.

THE OPTION IN THE PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT OF THE RURAL ENVIRONMENT: 36 units

Option Core: 24 units

8 courses required:

GEOG 101 Global Economic Geography 3.0 FS NW

GEOG 104 Environmental Issues 3.0 FS *

GEOG 115 Spatial Analysis 3.0 FA

Prerequisites: GEOG 110 or MATH 005 or equivalent.

GEOG 120 Community and Rural Planning 3.0 FA

GEOG 223 Planning Methods 3.0 SP

Prerequisites: GEOG 115, GEOG 120.

GEOG 224 Planning Studio 3.0 SP

Prerequisites: GEOG 109 for majors; GEOG 223 or equivalent.

GEOG 225 Community/Regional Development 3.0 FA

GEOG 227 Environmental Impact Analysis 3.0 FS

Prerequisites: GEOG 120 or equivalent.

Planning Support Courses: 9 units

3 courses selected from:

GEOG 113 Introductory Cartography 3.0 FA

Prerequisites: Network literacy via CSCI 010, SOSC 010, or GEOG 110.

GEOG 119 Intro to Geographical Info Syst 3.0 FS

Prerequisites: GEOG 110 or equivalent.

GEOG 213 Advanced Cartography 3.0 SP

Prerequisites: GEOG 108, GEOG 113.

GEOG 214 Aerial Photo Interpretation 3.0 SP

Prerequisites: GEOG 108 or equivalent.

GEOG 216 Locational Analysis 3.0 Inq

Prerequisites: Concurrent enrollment in or prior completion of GEOG 115 or equivalent.

GEOG 217 Field Techniques 3.0 SP

Prerequisites: Faculty permission.

GEOG 218 Remote Sensing 3.0 SP

Prerequisites: GEOG 108 and GEOG 115 or equivalents.

GEOG 219 Advanced Geog Info Systems 3.0 SP

Prerequisites: GEOG 115, GEOG 119.

GEOG 226 Water Resource Development 3.0 FA

Prerequisites: GEOG 104 or equivalent.

GEOG 228 Site Planning 3.0 SP

Prerequisites: GEOG 108; GEOG 120; or equivalent.

GEOG 236 Transportation Planning 3.0 SP

Prerequisites: GEOG 101; GEOG 120; or faculty permission.

GEOG 289 Geography Internship 1.0-3.0 FS

Outside Electives: 3 units

3 units selected from:

Any planning-related courses in fields outside of geography to be chosen with the prior approval of the adviser for the Option in the Planning and Development of the Rural Environment.

Electives Requirement:

To complete the total units required for the bachelor’s degree, select additional elective courses from the total university offerings. You should consult with an adviser regarding the selection of courses which will provide breadth to your university experience and apply to a supportive second major or minor.

Grading Requirement:

All courses taken to fulfill major course requirements must be taken for a letter grade, except those courses specified by the department as Credit/No Credit grading only.

Advising Requirement:

Advising is mandatory for all majors in this degree program. Consult your undergraduate adviser for specific information. The Geography major requires advising and approval of the student’s selected program each semester.

Honors in the Major

Honors in the Major is a program of independent work in your major.
It involves 6 units of honors course work completed over two semesters.

Your Honors work will be recognized at your graduation, on your permanent transcripts, and on your diploma. It is often accompanied by letters of commendation from your mentor in the department or the department chair. Most importantly, however, the Honors in the Major program allows you to work closely with a faculty mentor in your area of interest on an original performance or research project. This year-long collaboration allows you to work in your field at a professional level and culminates in a public presentation of your work. Students sometimes take their projects beyond the university for submission in professional journals, presentation at conferences, or competition in shows; such experience is valuable for graduate school and later professional life.

Some common features of Honors in the Major program are

1. You must take 6 units of Honors in the Major course work. At least 3 of these 6 units are independent study (299H) as specified by your department. You must complete each class with a minimum grade of B.
2. You must have completed 9 units of upper-division course work or 21 overall units in your major before you can be admitted to Honors in the Major. Check the requirements carefully, as there may be specific courses that must be included in these units.
3. Your cumulative GPA should be at least 3.5 or within the top 5 percent of majors in your department.
4. Your GPA in your major should be at least 3.5 or within the top 5 percent of majors in your department.
5. Most students apply for or are invited to participate in Honors in the Major during the second semester of their junior year. Then they complete the 6 units of course work over the two semesters of their senior year.
6. Your honors work culminates with a public presentation of your Honors project.

While Honors in the Major is part of the Honors Program, each department administers its own program. Please contact your major department or major adviser for further information.

Geography and Economics Double Major

Students may take two geography and two economics courses from the following list. All 12 units will count toward both majors (geography courses will count toward 100-level electives in the economics major).

ECON 160 Urban Problems 3.0 FS

Prerequisites: ECON 003.

ECON 165 Environmental Economics 3.0 FS

ECON 175 Developing Countries 3.0 FS

Prerequisites: ECON 003.

ECON 176 Economics of the Pacific Rim 3.0 FS *NW

Prerequisites: ECON 001 or ECON 002 or faculty permission.

ECON 262 Urban-Regional Economics 3.0 FS

Prerequisites: ECON 101.

ECON 265 Economics of Energy 3.0 SP

Prerequisites: ECON 101.

GEOG 101 Global Economic Geography 3.0 FS NW

GEOG 104 Environmental Issues 3.0 FS *

GEOG 120 Community and Rural Planning 3.0 FA

GEOG 216 Locational Analysis 3.0 Inq

Prerequisites: Concurrent enrollment in or prior completion of GEOG 115 or equivalent.

GEOG 225 Community/Regional Development 3.0 FA

Geography and History Double Major

Students may elect a geography and history double major. Up to 6 units of appropriate upper-division history courses (HIST) may be applied to the geography major. Prior approval by a department adviser and the chair is required.