Program: Geography and Environmental Studies, B.S.

The Geography and Environmental Studies program prepares students to understand the environment around us and to interpret the patterns found across Earth's surface. Comprised of 48 units, this major allows flexibility in course selection, while providing a solid background in human, physical, and regional aspects of the discipline.

Program Description

The program is designed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of geography and environmental studies. The Honors Program is available for this major.

Social Science Subject Matter Program for the Single Subject Credential

Geography and Environmental Studies majors who are interested in teaching social studies at the middle school or high school level may combine their major program with the Single Subject Social Science Subject Matter Program to meet requirements for entering a Single Subject Credential Program.

Program Requirements

1. Lower Division Courses (6 units)

Foundation Courses

• Select one course from the following:
  • GEOG 101A/GEOG 101AL The Physical Environment and Lab (2/1)
  • GEOG 103A/GEOG 103AL Weather and Lab (2/1)
• Select one course from the following:
  • GEOG 107 People, Places, and Landscapes (3)
  • GEOG 108 Earth from Above (3)
  • GEOG 112/GEOG 112L Climate Change and Lab (2/1)
  • GEOG 150 World Geography: People, Places, and Globalization (3)
  • GEOG 170 Water Resources of California (3)

2. Upper Division Courses (42 units)

a. Gateway Course (3 units)

• Take the following:
  • GEOG 300 The Geographer's Craft (3)

b. Field Studies (3 units)

• Select one course from the following:
  • GEOG 404A-Z Field Studies in Geography (1-3)

c. Content Courses (6 units)

• Select two courses from the following:
  • GEOG 301 Cultural Geography (3)
  • GEOG 311 The Atmosphere (3)
  • GEOG 316 Environmental Geography (3)
  • GEOG 340 Economic Geography (3)
  • GEOG 351 Cities, Space, and Power (3)
  • GEOG 364/L Geography of World Ecosystems and Lab (2/1)
  • GEOG 365/GEOG 365L Geomorphology and Lab (3/1)
  • GEOG 366 Geography of Environmental Hazards (3)
  • GEOG 370 Water, Society, and the Environment (3)
  • GEOG 375 Environment, Economy, and Development (3)

d. Method Courses (9 units)

• Take the following:
  • GEOG 460/L Spatial Analysis and Comparison and Lab (2/1)
• Select two courses from the following:
  • GEOG 206/L Introduction to Geographical Information Science and Lab (2/1)
  • GEOG 304/L Map and Imagery Interpretation and Lab (2/1)
  • GEOG 305/L Maps and Graphics and Lab (2/1)
  • GEOG 306/L Intermediate Geographical Information Science and Lab (2/1)
  • GEOG 449 Mixed Methods for Human and Environmental Geography (3)

e. Regional Course (3 units)

• Select one course from the following:
  • GEOG 318 Europe (3)
  • GEOG 321 United States (3)
  • GEOG 322 Latin America (3)
  • GEOG 323 Canada (3)
  • GEOG 324 China (3)
  • GEOG 326 Africa (3)
  • GEOG 328 Mexico (3)
  • GEOG 330 California (3)
  • GEOG 334 Geography of Oceania (3)
  • GEOG 350 Metropolitan Los Angeles (3)

f. Application Courses (6 units)

• Select two courses from the following:
  • GEOG 402/L Physical Geography Techniques and Lab (2/1)
  • GEOG 406/L Advanced Geographical Information Science and Lab (2/1)
  • GEOG 408A/L Human/Cultural Applications in Geographical Information Science and Lab (2/1)
  • GEOG 408B/L Environmental/Physical Applications in Geographical Information Science and Lab (2/1)
  • GEOG 408C/L Geospatial Project Management and Lab (2/1)
  • GEOG 408D/L Spatial Database Management and Lab (2/1)
  • GEOG 408E/L Geopython and Lab (1/2)
  • GEOG 408F/L WebGIS and Lab (2/1)
  • GEOG 408G/L GIS and Decision Making and Lab (2/1)
  • GEOG 408H/L GIS in Water Resource Management and Lab (2/1)
  • GEOG 408I/L Geospatial Big Data Analytics and Lab (2/1)
  • GEOG 409/L Digital Cartography and Lab (2/1)
  • GEOG 411 World Climate (3)
  • GEOG 412 Boundary Layer Climatology (3)
  • GEOG 413 Bioclimatology (3)
  • GEOG 414 Hydroclimatology (3)
  • GEOG 415 Air Pollution (3)
  • GEOG 416 Earth's Changing Climate (3)
  • GEOG 444 Conservation (3)
  • GEOG 451 Advanced Urban Geography (3)
  • GEOG 452 Urban Land Use Planning (3)
  • GEOG 453 Housing and Community Development (3)
  • GEOG 459 Environmental Impact Studies (3)
  • GEOG 462/L Computer Applications in Geography and Lab (2/1)
  • GEOG 465/L Fluvial Geomorphology and Lab (2/1)
  • GEOG 466/L Glacial and Periglacial Geomorphology and Lab (2/1)
  • GEOG 467/L Arid Lands Geomorphology and Lab (2/1)
  • GEOG 468/L Coastal Geomorphology and Lab (2/1)
  • GEOG 470 The Geography of Aquatic Ecosystems (3)
  • GEOG 472 Water Transfers in the American West (3)
  • GEOG 473 Water Quality in the Managed Environment (3)
  • GEOG 474 Water in Dryland Environments (3)
  • GEOG 476 Principles of River Restoration (3)
  • GEOG 482 Population, Migration, and the Environment (3)
  • GEOG 483 Transportation Planning (3)
  • GEOG 486 Medical Geography (3)
  • GEOG 487 Geography of Popular Culture (3)
  • GEOG 494 Internship (3)
  • GEOG 497A-F Senior Seminar in Geography (3)
  • GEOG 550F Forensic Geography (3)

g. Elective Courses (12 units)

Take four additional upper division (300-, 400- or 500-level) Geography courses.

General Education (43 units)

Undergraduate students must complete 43 units of General Education as described in this Catalog, including 3 units of coursework meeting the Ethnic Studies (E.S.) requirement.

Campus Requirements (6 units)

Undergraduate students must complete 6 units of Campus Requirements as described in this Catalog.

Total Units Required for the B.S. Degree

The total units required for the B.S. degree in Geography and Environmental Studies is 120 units.

Program Learning Outcomes

Students receiving a Bachelor of Science in Geography and Environmental Studies will be able to:

1. Demonstrate a foundation of knowledge characteristic of the learned individual, especially as it pertains to geography and environmental studies.
2. Demonstrate skills necessary to effectively acquire and synthesize new facts in a fashion characteristic of lifelong learners.
3. Demonstrate abilities as effective evaluators and critical analyzers of information and ideas; creatively and/or productively apply analytical skill to a problem or an argument relevant to geography and environmental studies.
4. Demonstrate the ability to communicate effectively using textual, oral, graphic or numeric media, especially as pertains to mapping and cartography.
5. Practice sound ethical approaches in the study of geography and the environment.
6. Demonstrate productive civic and global citizenship, and awareness of and respect for human and environmental diversity.

California State University Northridge

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Overview:

California State University Northridge (CSUN) is a public university located in Northridge, California. It is part of the 23-campus California State University system. CSUN offers a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs across various disciplines.

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Services Offered:

CSUN provides a comprehensive range of services to its students, including:

Academic Advising & Tutoring:

Support services to help students navigate their academic journey.

Student Services & Support:

Resources for student well-being, including counseling, health services, and disability support.

Athletics:

Opportunities to participate in intercollegiate sports.

Housing & Dining:

On-campus housing options and dining services.

Health & Wellness:

Programs and resources to promote student health and well-being.

Safety & Security:

Campus security measures to ensure student safety.

University Student Union:

A central hub for student activities, events, and organizations.

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Student Life and Campus Experience:

CSUN offers a vibrant and diverse campus experience with numerous opportunities for student engagement. Students can:

Join Clubs & Activities:

Participate in a wide range of student organizations and clubs.

Engage in Community-Engaged Learning:

Gain practical experience through community service and outreach programs.

Study Abroad:

Expand their horizons by studying at international partner institutions.

Attend Events and Activities:

Enjoy a variety of cultural, social, and academic events on campus.

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Key Reasons to Study There:

Diverse and Inclusive Community:

CSUN fosters a welcoming and inclusive environment for students from all backgrounds.

Strong Academic Programs:

Offers a wide range of high-quality academic programs across various disciplines.

Affordable Education:

Provides a relatively affordable education compared to other universities.

Location:

Located in the San Fernando Valley, offering easy access to Los Angeles and its surrounding areas.

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Academic Programs:

CSUN offers a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs across various colleges, including:

College of Arts, Media and Communication

College of Business and Economics

College of Education

College of Engineering and Computer Science

College of Health and Human Services

College of Humanities

College of Science and Mathematics

College of Social and Behavioral Sciences

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Other: