2026-2028 Catalog
How to Read Course Descriptions

GEOG Courses

GEOG 1150 Human Geography (3 units)
Term Typically Offered: F, SP
2026-28 or later catalog: GE Area 4B
2020-26 catalogs: GE Area D2

Interplay of cultures, places, and environments, with emphasis on diversity and globalization. Characteristics and patterns of human population, migration, ethnicity, agriculture, geopolitics, language, religion, urbanization, industry, international development, and human-environment relationships. Course may be offered in classroom-based, online, or hybrid format. 3 lectures. Fulfills GE Area 4B (GE Area D2 for students on the 2020-26 catalogs). Formerly GEOG 150.
GEOG 2200 Special Problems for Undergraduates (1-4 units)
Term Typically Offered: TBD
Prerequisite: Consent of department chair.

Individual investigation, research, studies, or surveys of selected problems at the lower-division level. Repeatable up to 8 units. Formerly GEOG 200.
GEOG 2218 Applications in GIS (3 units)
Term Typically Offered: F

Introduction to Geographic Information System (GIS) computer software to explore environmental, natural resource, social and economic issues using spatial data. Principles of cartography and map interpretation. Development of data base and software management competencies. Course may be offered in classroom-based, online, or hybrid format. 2 lectures, 1 laboratory. Formerly GEOG 218.
GEOG 2250 Physical Geography (3 units)
Term Typically Offered: F

Systems and processes responsible for the Earth's patterns of weather, climate, and landforms. Atmospheric circulation, severe weather, climate change, hydrologic cycle, tectonics, volcanism, and fluvial, coastal, and glacial landscapes. Emphasis on interactions between humans and the natural environment. Course may be offered in classroom-based, online, or hybrid format. 3 lectures. Crosslisted as ERSC/GEOG 2250. Formerly ERSC/GEOG 250.
GEOG 2270 Special Topics (1-4 units)
Term Typically Offered: TBD
Prerequisite: Open only to undergraduate students, and consent of instructor.

Directed group study of special topics. The Class Schedule will list topic selected. Repeatable up to 8 units. 1 to 4 lectures. Course may be offered in classroom-based, online, or hybrid format. Formerly GEOG 270.
GEOG 3308 Global Geography (3 units)
Term Typically Offered: F, SP
2026-28 or later: Upper-Div GE Area 4
2020-26 catalogs: Upper-Div GE Area D
Sustainability Related
Prerequisite: Junior standing; completion of GE Area 1 with grades of C- or better (GE Area A for the 2020-26 catalogs); completion of GE Area 2 with a grade of C- or better (GE Area B4 for the 2020-26 catalogs); and completion of one lower-division course in GE Area 4 (GE Areas D1 or D2 for the 2020-26 catalogs).

Examination of the major world regions such as Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Asia and Latin America. Focus on global political, economic, and environmental issues framed within a regional context. Emphasis on globalization, diversity, and sustainability in an interconnected world. Course may be offered in classroom-based, online, or hybrid format. 3 lectures. Fulfills GE Upper-Division 4 (GE Area Upper-Division D for students on the 2020-26 catalogs). Formerly GEOG 308.
GEOG 3325 Climate and Humanity (3 units)
Term Typically Offered: TBD
Prerequisite: Junior standing. Recommended: One of the following: ERSC 144, ERSC 1144, GEOG 250, or GEOG 2250.

Geographic perspective on the interrelationships between climate and human cultures. Effects of people on climate and the influence of climate and weather upon human activities and behavior. Focus on global human conditions which are responsible for the alteration of climate and in turn are vulnerable to climate change. Course may be offered in classroom-based or hybrid format. 3 lectures. Crosslisted as ERSC/GEOG 3325. Formerly ERSC/GEOG 3325.
GEOG 3328 Applications in Remote Sensing and GIS (3 units)
Term Typically Offered: F
Prerequisite: One of the following: GEOG 218, GEOG 2218, LA/NR 218, or LA/NR 2218.

Introduction to satellite imagery used to analyze natural and human features on the earth. Applications in geology, water, climate, vegetation, agriculture, and urban land use. Fundamentals of processing digital satellite images. Emphasis on bridging the earth and social sciences. Course may be offered in classroom-based, online, or hybrid format. 2 lectures, 1 laboratory. Formerly GEOG 328.
GEOG 3340 Geography of California (3 units)
Term Typically Offered: SP
Prerequisite: Junior standing. Recommended: GEOG 150 or GEOG 1150.

Analysis of the land and people of California from a geographical perspective. Patterns of environment, history, settlement, water, agriculture, ethnicity, economy, politics, and urban growth. Current issues are examined in a national and global context. Course may be offered in classroom-based or hybrid format. 3 lectures. Formerly GEOG 340.
GEOG 3350 The Global Environment (3 units)
Term Typically Offered: F, SP
2026-28 or later: Upper-Div GE Area 2/5
2020-26 catalogs: Upper-Div GE Area B
Sustainability Focused
Prerequisite: Junior standing; completion of GE Area 1 with grades of C- or better (GE Area A for the 2020-26 catalogs); completion of GE Area 2 with a grade of C- or better (GE Area B4 for the 2020-26 catalogs); and completion of GE Area 5 (GE Areas B1 to B3 for the 2020-26 catalogs).

Interdisciplinary investigation of how human activities impact the Earth's environment on a global scale. Examination of population, resource use, climate change, and biodiversity from scientific/technical and social/economic/ historical/political perspectives. Use of remote sensing maps. Sustainable solutions. Course may be offered in classroom-based, online, or hybrid format. 3 lectures. Crosslisted as AG/EDES/ENGR/GEOG/ISLA/SCM/UNIV 3350. Fulfills GE Areas Upper-Division 2 or Upper-Division 5 (GE Area Upper-Division B for students on the 2020-26 catalogs). Formerly AG/EDES/ENGR/GEOG/ISLA/SCM/UNIV 350.
GEOG 3370 Geography of Latin America (3 units)
Term Typically Offered: TBD
2026-28 or later: Upper-Div GE Area 4
2020-26 catalogs: Upper-Div GE Area D
Sustainability Related
Prerequisite: Junior standing; completion of GE Area 1 with grades of C- or better (GE Area A for the 2020-26 catalogs); completion of GE Area 2 with a grade of C- or better (GE Area B4 for the 2020-26 catalogs); and completion of GE Area 4B (GE Area D2 for the 2020-26 catalogs).

Geographic analysis of the lands and peoples of Mexico, Central America, and South America. Patterns of environment, culture, politics, economy, and development. Local, regional, and global issues shaping Latin America today, with emphasis on Unites States-Latin America relations, diversity, and sustainability. Course may be offered in classroom-based, online, or hybrid format. 3 lectures. Fulfills GE Upper-Division 4 (GE Area Upper-Division D for students on the 2020-26 catalogs). Formerly GEOG 370.
GEOG 3380 Geography of the Caribbean (3 units)
Term Typically Offered: F
2026-28 or later: Upper-Div GE Area 4
2020-26 catalogs: Upper-Div GE Area D
Sustainability Related
Prerequisite: Junior standing; completion of GE Area 1 with grades of C- or better (GE Area A for the 2020-26 catalogs); completion of GE Area 2 with a grade of C- or better (GE Area B4 for the 2020-26 catalogs); and completion of one lower-division course in GE Area 4 (GE Areas D1 or D2 for the 2020-26 catalogs).

Geographic analysis of the Caribbean investigating patterns and relationships between the physical and cultural geographies from local, regional, and global perspectives with an emphasis on sustainability and diversity. Course may be offered in classroom-based, online, or hybrid format. 3 lectures. Fulfills GE Upper-Division 4 (GE Area Upper-Division D for students on the 2020-26 catalogs). Formerly GEOG 380.
GEOG 3384 Professional Preparation for Anthropologists/Geographers (2 units)
Term Typically Offered: TBD
CR/NC
Prerequisite: Sophomore standing; one of the following: ANT 201, ANT 2201, GEOG 150, or GEOG 1150.

Preparation for professional advancement in the fields of anthropology and geography. Supervised career planning emphasizing resume development, selection of an internship or international experience, exploration of career options and graduate programs. Lectures from outside, practicing professionals. Credit/No Credit grading only. Course may be offered in classroom-based, online, or hybrid format. 2 seminars. Crosslisted as ANT/GEOG 3384. Formerly ANT 384.
GEOG 4400 Special Problems for Advanced Undergraduates (1-4 units)
Term Typically Offered: TBD
Prerequisite: Consent of department chair.

Individual investigation, research, studies, or surveys of selected problems at the upper-division level. Repeatable up to 8 units. Formerly GEOG 400.
GEOG 4408 Geography of International Development (3 units)
Term Typically Offered: SP
Prerequisite: GEOG 308 or GEOG 3308.

Detailed analysis of international development from a geographical perspective. Survey of various theories of development and their cultural and ecological components at multiple geographic scales, including institutions and actors involved. Applicable skills for development research and practice, emphasizing sustainability. 3 lectures. Course may be offered in classroom-based or hybrid format. Formerly GEOG 408.
GEOG 4414 Global and Regional Climatology (3 units)
Term Typically Offered: TBD
Prerequisite: One of the following: ERSC/GEOG 250, ERSC/GEOG 2250, ERSC 144, or ERSC 1144.

Earth's pattern of climates and the physical processes that account for them. Interrelationships between climate and the physical/biological and cultural environments. Modern climate changes and their consequences. 3 lectures. Crosslisted as ERSC/GEOG 4414. Formerly ERSC/GEOG 414.
GEOG 4415 Applied Meteorology and Climatology (3 units)
Term Typically Offered: TBD
Prerequisite: One of the following: ERSC/GEOG 250, ERSC/GEOG 2250, ERSC 144, or ERSC 1144.

Physical processes in the atmosphere that determine regional weather, climate and climate variability. Surface and satellite systems for weather observation, and weather/climate modeling. Dynamics of weather systems, including thunderstorms and hurricanes. Emphases on weather/climate affecting agriculture and other human activities. 2 lectures, 1 activity. Crosslisted as ERSC/GEOG 4415. Formerly ERSC/GEOG 415.
GEOG 4435 Biodiversity and Biogeography Methods (3 units)
Term Typically Offered: SP
Prerequisite: ERSC/GEOG 250 or ERSC/GEOG 2250.

Origins and spatial patterns of the earth's flora and fauna across gradients of climate, landforms, geology and time. History of biogeography and new applications of geospatial technology such as GIS and remote sensing. Course may be offered in classroom-based, online, or hybrid format. 2 lectures, 1 laboratory. Formerly GEOG 435.
GEOG 4441 Advanced Applications in Geospatial Technologies (3 units)
Term Typically Offered: SP
Prerequisite: One of the following: GEOG 218, GEOG 2218, LA/NR 218 or LA/NR 2218.

Advanced applications in geographic informations systems (GIS), remote sensing, and other geospatial technologies. Emphasizing research, methodologies, and career fields in geography, earth sciences, and the social sciences. The Class Schedule will list subtitle selected. Repeatable up to 12 units. Course may be offered in classroom-based, online, or hybrid format. 2 lectures, 1 laboratory. Formerly GEOG 441.
GEOG 4455 Anthropology-Geography Research Design and Methods (4 units)
Term Typically Offered: F
Prerequisite: Completion of GE Area 5B (GE Area B2 for the 2020-26 catalogs); STAT 218 or STAT 1110; and two upper-division ANT or GEOG courses.

Development of knowledge and skills needed to conduct original scientific anthropology-geography research and prepares students for senior projects. Various empirical methodologies highlighted, with a focus on quantitative design and measurement of human culture, biology, behavior, environment and ecology. Course may be offered in classroom-based, online, or hybrid format. 3 lectures, 1 laboratory. Crosslisted as ANT/GEOG 4455. Formerly ANT/GEOG 455.
GEOG 4461 Senior Project I (1 unit)
Term Typically Offered: F, SP
Prerequisite: Senior standing; and consent of the instructor.

Selection and development of a project under faculty supervision. Projects focus on topics in geography relevant to post-baccalaureate employment, graduate education, and lifelong learning. Project results are presented in a formal report. Formerly GEOG 461.
GEOG 4462 Senior Project II (2 units)
Term Typically Offered: F, SP
Prerequisite: Senior standing; and consent of the instructor. Corequisite: GEOG 461 or GEOG 4461.

Completion of a project under faculty supervision. Projects focus on topics in geography relevant to post-baccalaureate employment, graduate education, and lifelong learning. Project results are presented in a formal report. Formerly GEOG 462.
GEOG 4465 Internship (2-6 units)
Term Typically Offered: TBD
CR/NC
Prerequisite: ANT/GEOG 384 or ANT/GEOG 3384.

Supervised training, research, and work in public and private organizations. Credit/No Credit grading only. Repeatable up to 12 units. Formerly GEOG 465.
GEOG 4470 Special Advanced Topics (1-4 units)
Term Typically Offered: TBD
Prerequisite: Consent of instructor.

Directed group study of special topics for advanced students. The Class Schedule will list topic selected. Repeatable up to 12 units. Course may be offered in classroom-based, online, or hybrid format. 1 to 4 lectures.