This course is an introduction to physical geography as a spatial study which investigates global themes on the interaction of human and physical environmental impacts incorporating the elements of the atmosphere, lithosphere, hydrosphere, and biosphere. Topics include: Climate change; the ozone layer; ecosystem/deforestation; fire, water resources, and environmental hazards; weather events such as tornadoes, hurricanes, and El Niño; geological events such as earthquakes, volcanism, and landslides.

This laboratory is designed to accompany GEOG R101. It introduces the global physical world, its dynamics and spatial relationships. This lab features observation, measurement and analysis of basic principles and concepts pertaining to Earth’s physical systems, including the atmosphere, hydrosphere, lithosphere and biosphere.

This course introduces the regional approach to the study of human geography and the world’s major culture realms. Interpreting the cultural landscape employs the essential concepts in a geographic survey of the world in spatial terms, places and regions, the physical environment, and society and environment interactions. Students will learn to recognize the role that culture plays in incidents of cooperation and conflict in contemporary global, social and economic issues.

An introduction to the Earth's atmosphere, weather prediction, climate change, and the methods employed in analyzing and understanding weather phenomena are investigated in this course. Global changes in climate patterns, human influence on the atmosphere, and the impact of weather events are examined.

This course examines the physical and cultural environments of California's diverse landscapes, including landforms, climate, natural vegetation, natural resources, economic activities and historical settlement in the Golden State. Human settlement patterns in California and the interaction of pre-European California and the post European migration to the State will also be discussed in the course.

This course introduces the topical approach to the study of human geography, the characteristics of culture groups, and the distribution and migration of human populations on Earth's surface. Special attention will be given to sustainability and its role in the social construction of spaces and places through the diffusion of religions, languages, food production, geopolitical conflicts and human-environmental interactions.

This course introduces students to computer-based mapping, Geographic Information Systems (GIS). Spatial data is used as a tool to understand the world by describing and explaining the human relationship to the physical environment. Topics include vector and raster systems, map design, scale, resolution, map projection, coordinate systems, geo-referencing and Global Positioning Systems (GPS). The laboratory provides applied, hands-on learning, using spatial analysis and modeling with GIS through the use of computers.

This course will apply lecture course material in the field through observations and interpretation of the landscape. Geographic regions will be surveyed to include identification of geomorphic features, biomes and ecotones, and climate variations. Field techniques include basic rock and vegetation identification, mapping, stream flow quantity and quality, and population density, Human impacts will be assessed.

This course is designed to prepare students with existing background knowledge of geographic systems for further studies in Geography. Students will have the opportunity to conduct a research project on a geographic related topic. Project findings will be presented in scientific poster format, video, protocol or research publication.