Geography is the study of the physical environment, human activities and landscapes, through a spatial lens. Geographers study spatial distributions and relationships within Earth’s human-environmental systems, incorporating historic and contemporary human activities within the context of the natural environment, as well as the emergence of humanity as one of the major agents of change on Earth. Geographers draw upon and develop theories in both physical and social sciences. As physical scientists, geographers study the processes and resulting features of the Earth’s surface, including climate, hydrology, soils, landforms, and plant and animal adaptation. As social scientists, geographers investigate water and land use patterns, urbanization, economic growth and development, migrations, resource and energy use, globalization, and social justice. 

The geography program exposes students to many of the tools and technologies employed by Earth science professionals, including Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and Global Positioning Systems (GPS). The Associate in Arts Degree in Geography provides for a liberal education and prepares one for positions in business, government, non-profit and non-government organizations, and academia. Coursework in geography prepares students for a wide range of jobs in technology and data science, teaching students to gather, manipulate, analyze, and report spatial data. There is rapid growth in the use of GIS in natural resource management, urban planning, marketing, real estate, criminology, emergency services, public health, scientific research, and many other areas.

Associate Degree Graduation Requirements

Complete all of the following:

1. All Department Requirements listed below with a “C” or better or “P” in each course (at least 20% of the department requirements must be completed through SBCC).
2. One of the following three General Education options:
   1. OPTION 1: A minimum of 18 units of SBCC General Education Requirements (Areas A-D) and Institutional Requirements (Area E) and Information Competency Requirement (Area F) OR
   2. OPTION 2: IGETC Pattern OR
   3. OPTION 3: CSU GE Breadth Pattern
3. A total of 60 degree-applicable units (SBCC courses numbered 100 and higher).
4. Maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or better in all units attempted at SBCC.
5. Maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or better in all college units attempted.
6. A minimum of 12 units through SBCC.

1. Describe and assess Earth’s physical processes and their impacts on human culture and activities.
2. Describe and assess human cultural and economic activities and their impacts on Earth’s physical environment.
3. Identify and implement the methods and technologies used in geographic spatial analysis (ex. GIS, remote sensing, spatial statistics, cartography and map analysis).

Make an appointment with your SBCC academic counselor through Starfish to create a Student Education Plan that reflects a recommended course sequence for this program that is tailored to your individual needs.

How to schedule an Academic Counseling appointment.