Requirements
A grade of “C” or better must be achieved in all upper division Geography courses.
The Geography major requires at least 39 units of which at least 9 must be at the 400 level.
Lower Division - 12 units required: GEOG 100 or 120 or 160; GEOG 140, 200, 280.
Upper Division - 27 units required, which must include at a minimum: GEOG 340 or 355I; GEOG 360 and 380, one Regional course (see list below) and an additional 3 courses within one Concentration (Ennvironmental/Physical Geography, Human Geography, Geospatial Techniques, or Global and Regional Studies).
Major Concentrations and Grouping of Geography Courses
The CSULB Geography Department encourages geography students to acquire knowledge of the breadth of the discipline, to develop an understanding of the regional and systematic approaches to studying and applying the discipline, and to become proficient in the application of methods of inquiry and analysis that are employed in the discipline. To facilitate the development of a prepared and well rounded geographer, Geography courses are grouped into Human Geography, Environmental/Physical Geography, Geospatial Techniques, and Global and Regional Studies. Students are urged to complete courses in each cluster and to seek the advice of the undergraduate advisor and other faculty to identify courses that are best suited to meet their educational and career objectives. In addition, programs may be tailored to meet the needs of individual students especially those choosing to double-major.
Global and Regional Studies:
Additional Courses
The following courses may be included in the above concentrations with approval of the Undergraduate Advisor: GEOG 492, 494, 497.
The Minor in Geography is available to any non-Geography major.
The minor requires a minimum of 18 units consisting of GEOG 140; 100 or 120 or 160; and 280 or 380, and at least 9 units of upper division courses with at least one course selected from the 400 series.
Co-Directors: Christopher Lee, Suzanne Wechsler
Requirements
This program offers specialized training in applied and theoretical geospatial techniques including geographic information systems (GIS), remote sensing and cartography. The program is designed to provide experience in quantitative spatial analysis through the use of Geographic Information Systems, working with remotely sensed imagery and field-derived data, and effective communication through maps. The certificate serves as a supplement to standard degree programs. It provides essential training for those seeking careers in the geospatial technologies in both the public and private sector. A brochure describing the GIScience Certificate Program in greater detail is available in the Geography Department Office, LA 4-106, or on-line at www.csulb.edu/geography.
Certificate Requirements
The following Geography courses may be substituted for the above courses with Advisor Consent: GEOG 481, 492, 494, 497, 697, 680. Substitutions may also be made for courses in database, computer programming, surveying and/or web design and visualization with approval from the Certificate Advisor.
The Urban Studies Program, housed in the Department of Geography, offers an education in the analysis of urban patterns, processes, and issues, and serves as an excellent supplement to standard degree programs. It offers essential training for those seeking both private sector and public sector careers or graduate study in fields concerned with the urban region, its development, characteristics, problems, and special communities.
Because urban issues cut across a variety of disciplines, the program takes an interdisciplinary approach. Each student participates in a small core of courses in Geography and Political Science but also assembles a distinctive mix of related courses from a variety of departments. The result is a customized program that provides essential information about the dynamics, form, and characteristics of urban regions while allowing a student to design an individualized program of study.
The Urban Studies Certificate Program is described in greater detail on-line at www.csulb.edu/geography.
Certificate Requirements
1. A bachelor’s degree, which may be earned concurrently.
2. Consultation with the undergraduate advisor in the Geography Department.
3. 24 units distributed as follows:
Prerequisites
Advancement to Candidacy
Requirements
Grouping of Geography Courses
The CSULB Geography Department encourages geography students to acquire a knowledge of the breadth of the discipline, to develop an understanding of the regional and systematic approaches to studying and applying the discipline, and to become proficient in the application of the methods of inquiry and analysis that are employed in the discipline. To facilitate the development of a prepared and well rounded geographer, courses are grouped into: Regional Geography, Human Geography, Physical/Environmental Geography, and Geospatial Techniques Geography. Students are urged to complete courses in each cluster and to seek the advice of the undergraduate advisor and other faculty to identify courses that are best suited to meet their educational and career objectives.
