BA in Geography (Physical Geography)

Units required for Major: 46
Total units required for BA: 120

Program Description

The Bachelor of Arts in Geography with a concentration in Physical Geography focuses on earth systems and human impacts on them, including global climate change. Students interested in natural science and environmental management study weather and climate, plant and animal communities, landforms, and water resources, emphasizing the growing human role in influencing and managing these complex interrelated systems. 

Note:

  • Every candidate must complete all of the Geography Core and one Concentration.
  • Courses cannot double count for the core and the concentration.

Program Requirements

Required Lower Division Core Courses (10 Units)
GEOG 1Physical Geography: The Distribution of Natural Phenomena 13
GEOG 2Cultural Geography 13
GEOG 3Introduction to Maps and Geographic Technologies3
GEOG 11Laboratory in Physical Geography1
Required Upper Division Core Courses (9 Units)
GEOG 102Ideas and Skills in Geography3
GEOG 118Earth Transformed3
GEOG 190Senior Research Seminar in Geography 13
Geography Core (12 Units)
Select one course from each of the following four areas:12
Geographic Techniques
Computer Cartography
Remote Sensing
Geographic Information Systems
Advanced Geographic Information Systems
Applied GIS
Programming for GIS
Programming for GIS II
Qualitative Methods in Geography
Quantitative Methods in Geography
Field Geography: Urban-Metropolitan
Field Geography: Suburban-Rural
Field Geography: Physical
Human Geography
Geography of Economic Activity
Environmental Hazards and Society
Population Geography
Urban Geography
Urban and Regional Planning
Transportation Geography
Applied GIS
Physical Geography
Elements Of Meteorology
Climate
Biogeography
Global Climate Change
Landforms
California's Water Resources
Regional Geography
United States and Canada
Geography Of East Asia
Geography Of Africa
Geography Of Europe
Special Topics in Regional Geography A
Special Topics in Regional Geography B
Special Topics in Regional Geography C
California
Concentrations (15 Units)
Select a concentration from the following:15
Geographic Information Systems and Analysis Concentration
Human Geography Concentration
Metropolitan Area Planning Concentration
Physical Geography Concentration
Total Units46

Concentration in Physical Geography (15 units)

Select four additional physical geography courses from the following:12
Elements Of Meteorology 1
Biogeography 1
Global Climate Change 1
Landforms
California's Water Resources
Field Geography: Physical 2
Select one additional technique course from the following:3
Computer Cartography
Remote Sensing
Geographic Information Systems
Advanced Geographic Information Systems
Applied GIS
Quantitative Methods in Geography
Total Units15

Note: GEOG 113 can be used to meet the physical geography breadth requirement in the core, but cannot be used in the concentration.

General Education Requirements1

Area A: Basic Subjects (9 Units)
A1 - Oral Communication3
A2 - Written Communication3
A3 - Critical Thinking3
Area B: Physical Universe and Its Life Forms (6-9 Units)
B1 - Physical Science 20
B2 - Life Forms3
B3 - Lab (Note: Lab experience to be taken with one of the following: B1, B2 or B5) 20
B4 - Math Concepts3
B5 - Additional Course (Any B to reach 12 units) - Take upper-division course to complete Area & upper division requirements. 30 - 3
Area C: Arts and Humanities (12 Units)
C1 - Arts3
C2 - Humanities3
C1/C2 - Area C Course3
C1/C2 - Area C Course - Take upper-division course to complete Area & upper division requirements.3
Area D: The Individual and Society (6 Units)
Area D Course3
Area D Course 20
Area D Course - Take upper-division course to complete Area & upper division requirements.3
Area E: Understanding Personal Development (3 Units)
Area E Course3
Area F: Ethnic Studies (3 Units)
Area F Course3
Total Units39-42

Graduation Requirements1

Graduation Requirements (required by CSU) (6 Units)
American Institutions: U.S. History3
American Institutions: U.S. Constitution & CA Government3
Writing Intensive (WI) 20
Graduation Requirements (required by Sacramento State) (12 Units)
English Composition II3
Race and Ethnicity in American Society (RE)3
Foreign Language Proficiency Requirement 36