Bachelor of Arts [B.A]/Bachelor of Science [B.S] [Geography] From San Diego State University

Geographers study the physical and human features of the earth, concentrating especially on explaining the location of these features and on the environmental relationships among them. In doing such studies, geographers integrate the theories of the physical sciences, biological sciences, social sciences, and the humanities. Those geographers who emphasize the study of the earth's physical features (such as landforms, vegetation, and climate) focus on the processes that produce these features. As social scientists and humanists, human geographers explore such topics as the arrangement of people on the earth's surface, land use patterns, urbanization, resource and energy usage, and environmental conservation.

Because geography is so varied and offers such a wide range of careers upon graduation, geographers have diverse abilities, such as protecting and managing natural resources, planning for workable and enjoyable cities, utilizing computer technologies, working toward clean and healthy environments, and helping people in developing countries improve their lives. The geography student is creative, enjoys challenges, can learn through observations and research, and enjoys the satisfaction of improving conditions in our societies.

Program Overview

SDSU's Geography Department is well known throughout the United States, and students are from many different states, as well as from different countries. The SDSU geography major offers a broad range of fields from which to select a specialization, and the faculty members are equally diverse and recognized in their specializations. The specific fields include a B.S. in geographic information science and a B.A. in one of the following emphases: general geography (the study of both physical and cultural aspects of geography); physical geography (emphasizing a scientific study of the earth's features); natural resource and environmental geography (concerned with human impacts on the earth); urban and regional analysis (dealing with modern planning technologies and solutions in the development of cities); and methods of geographical analysis (providing a background in geographic information systems, cartography, spatial statistics, and remote sensing). Majors must complete a program in one of the above fields.

The Geography Department also offers a Certificate in Geographic Information Science. Geography majors and other students who are interested in learning about mapping from satellites, atlas production, terrain analysis, computer graphics, surveying, and aerial photography should consider this program.