Geography for Transfer Associate in Arts Degree for Transfer
Program Overview
The Associate in Arts in Geography for Transfer (AA-T) from Skyline College prepares students for transfer to a CSU campus with a major in Geography. The program provides an overview of the discipline, including core principles, methods, and human-environmental interactions. Students completing the AA-T are guaranteed admission to the CSU system and can complete a bachelor's degree in Geography with no more than 60 additional units. The degree opens doors to a wide range of careers in fields such as urban planning, environmental studies, and GIS.
Program Outline
Degree Overview:
Program Overview
An Associate in Arts in Geography for Transfer (AA-T) from Skyline College is intended for students who are interested in transferring to a California State University (CSU) campus with a major in Geography, or a similar major. The degree gives students an overview of the discipline of Geography, an introduction to the methods geographers use to understand spatial relationships, and the tools to identify how humans impact and shape the world. Students completing an AA-T degree are guaranteed admission to the CSU system, but not to a particular campus or major. Students transferring to a CSU campus that accepts the AA-T will be required to complete no more than 60 units after transfer to earn a bachelor's degree. This degree may not be the best option for students intending to transfer to a particular CSU campus or university or a college that is not part of the CSU system. Students should consult with a Skyline College counselor for further information on university admissions and transfer requirements. A grade of "C" or better, or "Pass" if the course is taken on a Pass/No Pass basis, is required for each course applied to the major. Major course requirements may also be applied to meet general education requirements.
Objectives:
- Analyze, synthesize, and apply core geographic principles, concepts, models, and phenomena.
- Identify examples of human-environmental interaction and assess their past, present, and future impact.
- Evaluate and apply geographic methods and associated theories used to analyze and advance geographic concepts.
Program Requirements:
Required Core Courses:
(6 units)
- GEOG 100 Physical Geography (3 units)
- GEOG 110 Cultural Geography (3 units) OR GEOG 150 World Regional Geography (3 units)
List A:
Select two or three courses from the following (7-8 units)
- GEOG 101 Physical Geography Lab (1 unit)
- GEOG 300 Geographic Information Science (3 units)
- GEOG 106 Weather and Climate (4 units) OR GEOL 106 Weather and Climate (4 units)
List B:
Select two courses from the following (6-7 units)
- ANTH 110 Cultural Anthropology (3 units)
- GEOL 100 Survey of Geology (3 units)
- MATH 200 Elementary Probability & Statistics (4 units)
Total Required Major Units:
19 - 21
General Education:
Certified completion of one of the following:
- California State University General Education-Breadth pattern (CSU GE Breadth)
- Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC) pattern
Advising Note:
- Students planning to transfer to a CSU campus must complete an Oral Communication (COMM) course (CSU Minimum Admissions Requirement).
Careers:
Career Opportunities:
A degree in Geography provides many practical opportunities for employment. This broad, interdisciplinary field prepares students for a wide variety of careers related to spatial analysis, including careers in:
- Urban planning
- Community development
- Emergency management
- Environmental studies
- Marketing
- Transportation management
- Map making
- Real estate appraisal
- Demography
- Foreign service
- Library/information science
- Park interpretation
- Surveying
- Academia There are also many high-tech fields where geographers can find employment. Geographic Information Systems (GIS), global positioning systems (GPS), and remote sensing (analysis of satellite images of the Earth) are all highly employable specialties that are being used every day by more and more people. In a world where information management is becoming a major commodity, people who can understand and use spatial information are in demand. Additionally, analytical and research skills gained through a geography major provide a strong foundation for graduate study in many subjects including law, urban planning, and architecture.