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.

A suggested Major Academic Plan (MAP) has been prepared to help students meet all graduation requirements within four years. Please request a plan from your major advisor or view it and other current advising information at http://em.csuchico.edu/aap/ProgramSearch.

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.

Diversity Course Requirements: 6 units

See "Diversity Requirement" in the University Catalog. Most courses taken to satisfy these requirements may also apply to General Education.

U.S. History, Constitution, and American Ideals: 6 units

See "U.S. History, Constitution, and American Ideals" under "Bachelor's Degree Requirements". This requirement is normally fulfilled by completing HIST 130 and POLS 155 or approved equivalents. 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 130 (or its equivalent) with a C- or better before you may register for a WP course.

Course Requirements for the Major: 48 units

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

Major Core Program: 27 units

6 courses required:

GEOG 101 Physical Geography 3.0 FS *
Prerequisites: High school biology, chemistry, or physics is recommended.
GEOG 102 Human Geography 3.0 FS * GC
GEOG 219 Introduction to Geographic Methods 3.0 FS
GEOG 309 Geographical Research and Writing 3.0 FS
GEOG 317 Field Techniques 3.0 FA
GEOG 490 Proseminar in Geography 3.0 FS WP
Prerequisites: ENGL 130 (or its equivalent) with a grade of C- or higher, senior standing, GEOG 309.

1 course selected from:

GEOG 303 Geography and World Affairs 3.0 FS * GC
GEOG 304 Environmental Issues 3.0 FS *

2 courses selected from:

GEOG 313 Introductory Cartography 3.0 FA
Prerequisites: GEOG 219 or equivalent.
GEOG 315 Spatial Analysis 3.0 FA
Prerequisites: GEOG 219 or MATH 105 or equivalent.
GEOG 319 Introduction to Geographical Information Systems 3.0 FS
Prerequisites: GEOG 219 or equivalent.

Note: Techniques courses completed for the Geography Core cannot be double counted toward the techniques courses taken in the geography advising options.

Major Option Course Requirements: 21 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 Human Geography and Planning: 21 units

3 courses required:

GEOG 301 Global Economic Geography 3.0 SP GC
GEOG 320 Introduction to Community and Rural Planning 3.0 FA
GEOG 439 American Cultural Landscapes 3.0 FA

2 courses selected from:

GEOG 405S Nature and Restoration 3.0 FA
Prerequisites: GEOG 101 and GEOG 102 or equivalents.
GEOG 425 Planning for Sustainable Communities and Regions 3.0 FA
GEOG 426 Water Resource Policy and Planning 3.0 SP
Prerequisites: GEOG 304 or equivalent.
GEOG 435 Historical Geography of North America 3.0 FS
Prerequisites: Faculty permission.

This course is also offered as AMST 435.

GEOG 440 Environmental Thought and Action 3.0 SP
Prerequisites: Faculty permission.

1-2 courses selected from:

GEOG 352 The United States 3.0 FA *
GEOG 353 Canada: Land and People 3.0 Inq
GEOG 354 Land and People of Mexico 3.0 FA * GC

This course is also offered as LAST 354.

GEOG 355 Land and People of Central America and the Caribbean 3.0 SP * GC

This course is also offered as LAST 355.

GEOG 356 South America 3.0 Inq
GEOG 360 Europe 3.0 Inq
GEOG 365 Former Soviet Union 3.0 Inq
GEOG 370 Pacific Rim Regions 3.0 Inq
GEOG 378 Australia and the South Pacific 3.0 Inq

0-3 courses selected from:

GEOG 313 Introductory Cartography 3.0 FA
Prerequisites: GEOG 219 or equivalent.
GEOG 315 Spatial Analysis 3.0 FA
Prerequisites: GEOG 219 or MATH 105 or equivalent.
GEOG 317 Field Techniques 3.0 FA
GEOG 318 Remote Sensing of the Environment 3.0 SP
Prerequisites: GEOG 219.
GEOG 319 Introduction to Geographical Information Systems 3.0 FS
Prerequisites: GEOG 219 or equivalent.
GEOG 342 Geomorphology 3.0 FA
Prerequisites: GEOG 101 or GEOS 102 or equivalents, or faculty permission.
GEOG 343 Climatology 3.0 FA
Prerequisites: GEOG 101 or GEOS 120 or equivalent.
GEOG 413 Advanced Cartography 3.0 SP
Prerequisites: GEOG 313.
GEOG 419 Advanced Geographic Information Systems (GIS) 3.0 SP
Prerequisites: GEOG 315 and GEOG 319.
GEOG 427 Environmental Impact Analysis 3.0 SP
Prerequisites: GEOG 320 or equivalent or faculty permission.
GEOG 428 Site Planning 3.0 S2
Prerequisites: GEOG 219, GEOG 320, or equivalent.
GEOG 429 Environmental and Conservation Planning 3.0 S1
Prerequisites: GEOG 219, GEOG 320. Recommended: GEOG 101, GEOS 130, or NSCI 101.
GEOG 444 Biogeography: Examination of Plant and Animal Distributions 3.0 S2
Prerequisites: GEOG 101 or BIOL 102 or BIOL 334 or equivalent. Recommended: GEOG 219.

Note: A course from outside the department may be selected with advisor approval.

Option in Physical and Environmental Geography: 21 units

3 courses required:

GEOG 342 Geomorphology 3.0 FA
Prerequisites: GEOG 101 or GEOS 102 or equivalents, or faculty permission.
GEOG 343 Climatology 3.0 FA
Prerequisites: GEOG 101 or GEOS 120 or equivalent.
GEOG 407 Earth Systems Analysis of Global Change 3.0 SP
Prerequisites: GEOG 342, GEOG 343; GEOG 444 and GEOG 445.

1 course selected from:

GEOG 444 Biogeography: Examination of Plant and Animal Distributions 3.0 S2
Prerequisites: GEOG 101 or BIOL 102 or BIOL 334 or equivalent. Recommended: GEOG 219.
GEOG 445 Pyrogeography 3.0 S1
Prerequisites: At least one of the following: AGRI 331, BIOL 414, BIOL 450, GEOG 343, GEOG 405, GEOG 444, GEOG 450, PSSC 330, PSSC 331, PSSC 334, PSSC 433, PSSC 436, PSSC 438, or faculty permission.

1 course selected from:

GEOG 405S Nature and Restoration 3.0 FA
Prerequisites: GEOG 101 and GEOG 102 or equivalents.
GEOG 426 Water Resource Policy and Planning 3.0 SP
Prerequisites: GEOG 304 or equivalent.

1 course selected from:

GEOG 313 Introductory Cartography 3.0 FA
Prerequisites: GEOG 219 or equivalent.
GEOG 315 Spatial Analysis 3.0 FA
Prerequisites: GEOG 219 or MATH 105 or equivalent.
GEOG 317 Field Techniques 3.0 FA
GEOG 318 Remote Sensing of the Environment 3.0 SP
Prerequisites: GEOG 219.
GEOG 319 Introduction to Geographical Information Systems 3.0 FS
Prerequisites: GEOG 219 or equivalent.
GEOG 413 Advanced Cartography 3.0 SP
Prerequisites: GEOG 313.
GEOG 419 Advanced Geographic Information Systems (GIS) 3.0 SP
Prerequisites: GEOG 315 and GEOG 319.
GEOG 427 Environmental Impact Analysis 3.0 SP
Prerequisites: GEOG 320 or equivalent or faculty permission.
GEOG 428 Site Planning 3.0 S2
Prerequisites: GEOG 219, GEOG 320, or equivalent.
GEOG 429 Environmental and Conservation Planning 3.0 S1
Prerequisites: GEOG 219, GEOG 320. Recommended: GEOG 101, GEOS 130, or NSCI 101.

1 course selected from:

GEOG 301 Global Economic Geography 3.0 SP GC
GEOG 320 Introduction to Community and Rural Planning 3.0 FA
GEOG 439 American Cultural Landscapes 3.0 FA

Note: Any 3-unit upper-division course from outside the department may be selected with advisor approval.

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 advisor regarding the selection of courses which will provide breadth to your University experience and possibly 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 advisor for specific information.

Honors in the Major

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

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 academic competition. Such experience is valuable for graduate school and professional life. 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.

Some common features of Honors in the Major program are

1. You must take 6 units of Honors in the Major course work. All 6 units are honors classes (marked by a suffix of H), and at least 3 of these units are independent study (399H, 499H, 599H) 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 for your major 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% of majors in your department.

4. Your GPA in your major should be at least 3.5 or within the top 5% 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 advisor to apply.