Do you have a desire to explore the world? Are you interested in how humans interact with their environment? If so, venture into the study of Geography.
Allan Hancock College’s Geography program helps students to better understand both the physical, cultural, and political aspects of our planet. Although the term “geo-graphy” literally means “to map,” the study of geography includes much more. It’s about people, places, and exploration. It’s both a science and a story. Geographers use technology and investigation to answer questions about the past and provide insights into the future.
The Associate in Arts for Transfer in geography will prepare students for entry-level careers, such as surveying or mapping, or to transfer to a four-year university to pursue a bachelor's degree for those seeking careers in natural resource management, environmental conservation, international development, urban and regional planning, education, tourism, cartography, climate science, park management, transportation planning and logistics, and more.
This program will help you to:
- understand human influence upon the physical environment
- compare and contrast demographic, cultural,, and economic connections on our planet
- understand regional, physical, and cultural differences and similarities across the globe
- effectively use the methods and technologies used in geographic analysis (i.e. remote sensing, GIS, GPS, and cartography)
- effectively communicate geographic concepts
Suggested Course Sequence
The "Suggested Course Sequence" is an example of how to complete the requirements plus any additional general education that may be needed. If you would like to create a personalized Student Education Plan (SEP), schedule a meeting with a counselor.
Fall Semester (Year 1)
Course #
Course Title
Units
Advisories: ENGL 101
An introduction to the earth's physical geography, addressing the origins, patterns and interconnections of weather/climate, water, landforms, living systems and human culture.
Prerequisite: GEOG 101
This course is design to provide supplemental exercises in topics covered in Physical Geography lecture. Lab experience will include map analysis and interpretation, weather prognostication, landform processes and evolution, tectonics, biogeography, and habitat analysis.
Prerequisite: Placement based upon Allan Hancock College's placement policy.
Designed to help students enhance their analytical reading and writing skills using a wide variety of texts. Emphasizes college-level expository essay construction, communication, and research methods leading to the preparation and writing of a research paper.
Select one course from this list.
Select one course from this list.
Total Units:
14
Spring Semester (Year 1)
Course #
Course Title
Units
A historical perspective is used to explore our human role in shaping the earth's cultural landscapes. Globalization and cultural diversity are course themes. Topics include population and migration; the geography of language, religion, and social customs; economic forms; settlements; and resource problems.
A study of the world's major geographic regions. The course focuses on the increasing globalization of the world and a movement towards greater emphasis on cultural diversity.
Prerequisite: MATH 331 or Placement according to AHC placement policy.
A study of descriptive and inferential statistics including applications in the behavioral and natural sciences. Topics include classification and analysis of data, probability, distributions, sampling, the binomial, normal, t, F, and chi-square distributions, confidence intervals, hypothesis testing, regression analysis, analysis of variance and non-parametric methods. Calculators and/or computers will be used throughout.
Choose one of the following courses:
- ENGL 103, Critical Thinking and Composition
- PHIL 112, Logic
- PHIL 114, Critical Thinking
- COMM 106, Argumentation and Debate
You can choose a course in any subject that has a 100-199 in its title. For example ENGL 100 or ASTR 121.
NOTE: Not all 100-level courses are UC-transferable. See the IGETC sheet for UC eligible courses.
Total Units:
16
Fall Semester (Year 2)
Course #
Course Title
Units
A survey of the geography of California, including the physical environment, weather and climate, population and migration, industry and agriculture, and major cultural patterns. Themes will include: cultural diversity, economic and political trends, resource issues, and the human-environment interaction.
An introductory course on the study of human evolution that explores the history of evolutionary thought, the biological basis of life, genetics, population biology, modern human variation, paleontology, primatology and hominid evolution. Important scientific and social issues that relate to biological anthropology will also be presented. Students are encouraged to concurrently enroll in Anthropology 110.
Select one course from this list.
Select one course from this list.
Recommended one from this list:
- POLS 101, Introduction to Political Science
- POLS 103, American Government
Or choose a course from this list.
Note: Recommended courses also fulfill CSU US History and American Institutions Graduation Requirement
You can choose a course in any subject that has a 100-199 in its title. For example ENGL 100 or ASTR 121.
NOTE: Not all 100-level courses are UC-transferable. See the IGETC sheet for UC eligible courses.
Total Units:
15 - 16
Spring Semester (Year 2)
Course #
Course Title
Units
Advisories: GEOG 101
An introduction to the physical processes underlying atmospheric and weather phenomena, including global climate change and the impacts of various weather and climate phenomena on society. Topics include atmospheric structure and composition, solar radiation and energy balances, temperature, seasonal changes, atmospheric moisture, clouds and fog, precipitation, air pressure, winds, air masses and fronts, cyclones, dynamics of the atmosphere and ocean, weather forecasting, climate and climate change.
Study of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) science and its applications to spatial data management. Identification and acquisition of GIS data. Assessment of vector and raster systems, scale, resolution, map projection, coordinate systems, georeferencing and Global Positioning Systems (GPS). Spatial analysis and modeling with GIS.
Choose one of the following courses:
- COMM 101, Public Speaking,
- COMM 102, Small Group Communication,
- COMM 106, Argumentation and Debate,
Select one course from area C1: Arts or from area C2: Humanities
Recommended one from this list:
- ES 121, African American History
- HIST 107, US History to 1877
- HIST 108, US History from 1877 to the Present
- HIST 118, U S History American Institutions Requirement
Or choose a course from this list.
Note: Recommended courses also fulfill CSU US History and American Institutions Graduation Requirement
If you did not satisfy this requirement with high school coursework or an external exam, complete one of the courses from this list. If you are unsure if you have met this requirement, see a counselor.
- ES 120: Chicano History
- ES 121: African American History
- HIST 120: Chicano History
- HIST 121: African American History
NOTE: Students who started at Allan Hancock College (or any CCC or CSU) prior to Summer 2021 and have maintained continuous enrollment are not required to complete Area F for CSU GE Certification. See a counselor for further information.
Total Units:
17
Program Requirements:
"Program Requirements" specify the courses required for this program. See suggested course sequence for additional information.
A major of 18 units is required for the associate in arts in geography for transfer degree.
Course Number | Course Title | Units |
---|---|---|
GEOG 101 | Physical Geography | 3.000 - 0.000 |
GEOG 102 | Human Geography | 3.000 - 0.000 |
GEOG 103 | World Regional Geography | 3.000 - 0.000 |
GEOG 115 | Physical Geography Laboratory | 1.000 - 0.000 |
GEOG 105 | Geography of California | 3.000 - 0.000 |
GEOG 110 | Introduction To Weather and Climate | 3.000 - 0.000 |
GEOG 155 | Introduction to GIS with Lab | 2.000 - 0.000 |
Please refer to the "Suggested Course Sequence" tab for General Education requirements.
Suggested Course Sequence
The "Suggested Course Sequence" is an example of how to complete the requirements plus any additional general education that may be needed. If you would like to create a personalized Student Education Plan (SEP), schedule a meeting with a counselor.
Fall Semester (Year 1)
Course #
Course Title
Units
Advisories: ENGL 101
An introduction to the earth's physical geography, addressing the origins, patterns and interconnections of weather/climate, water, landforms, living systems and human culture.
Prerequisite: GEOG 101
This course is design to provide supplemental exercises in topics covered in Physical Geography lecture. Lab experience will include map analysis and interpretation, weather prognostication, landform processes and evolution, tectonics, biogeography, and habitat analysis.
Prerequisite: Placement based upon Allan Hancock College's placement policy.
Designed to help students enhance their analytical reading and writing skills using a wide variety of texts. Emphasizes college-level expository essay construction, communication, and research methods leading to the preparation and writing of a research paper.
Select one course from this list.
Select one course from this list.
Total Units:
14
Spring Semester (Year 1)
Course #
Course Title
Units
A historical perspective is used to explore our human role in shaping the earth's cultural landscapes. Globalization and cultural diversity are course themes. Topics include population and migration; the geography of language, religion, and social customs; economic forms; settlements; and resource problems.
A study of the world's major geographic regions. The course focuses on the increasing globalization of the world and a movement towards greater emphasis on cultural diversity.
Prerequisite: MATH 331 or Placement according to AHC placement policy.
A study of descriptive and inferential statistics including applications in the behavioral and natural sciences. Topics include classification and analysis of data, probability, distributions, sampling, the binomial, normal, t, F, and chi-square distributions, confidence intervals, hypothesis testing, regression analysis, analysis of variance and non-parametric methods. Calculators and/or computers will be used throughout.
Choose one of the following courses:
- ENGL 103, Critical Thinking and Composition
- PHIL 114, Critical Thinking
You can choose a course in any subject that has a 100-199 in its title. For example ENGL 100 or ASTR 121.
NOTE: Not all 100-level courses are UC-transferable. See the IGETC sheet for UC eligible courses.
Total Units:
16
Fall Semester (Year 2)
Course #
Course Title
Units
A survey of the geography of California, including the physical environment, weather and climate, population and migration, industry and agriculture, and major cultural patterns. Themes will include: cultural diversity, economic and political trends, resource issues, and the human-environment interaction.
Select one course from this list.
If you did not satisfy this requirement with high school coursework or an external exam, complete one of the courses from this list. If you are unsure if you have met this requirement, see a counselor.
- ES 120: Chicano History
- ES 121: African American History
- HIST 120: Chicano History
- HIST 121: African American History
If you did not satisfy this requirement with high school coursework or an external exam, complete one of the courses from this list. If you are unsure if you have met this requirement, see a counselor.
- ASL 120: American Sign Language 1
- ASL 121: American Sign Language 2
- ASL 124:
- FRCH 101: Elementary French I
- FRCH 102: Elementary French II
- SPAN 101: Elementary Spanish I
- SPAN 102: Elementary Spanish II
- SPAN 103: Intermediate Spanish I
- SPAN 104: Intermediate Spanish II
- SPAN 105: Advanced Composition and Grammar
- SPAN 112: Advanced Spanish Conversation
Total Units:
12 - 15
Spring Semester (Year 2)
Course #
Course Title
Units
Advisories: GEOG 101
An introduction to the physical processes underlying atmospheric and weather phenomena, including global climate change and the impacts of various weather and climate phenomena on society. Topics include atmospheric structure and composition, solar radiation and energy balances, temperature, seasonal changes, atmospheric moisture, clouds and fog, precipitation, air pressure, winds, air masses and fronts, cyclones, dynamics of the atmosphere and ocean, weather forecasting, climate and climate change.
Study of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) science and its applications to spatial data management. Identification and acquisition of GIS data. Assessment of vector and raster systems, scale, resolution, map projection, coordinate systems, georeferencing and Global Positioning Systems (GPS). Spatial analysis and modeling with GIS.
Choose one of the following courses:
- COMM 101, Public Speaking
- COMM 102, Small Group Communication
- COMM 106, Argumentation and Debate
Select one course from area Area 3A: Arts or from area Area 3B: Humanities
If you are planning to transfer to a CSU campus, it is recommended that you take one U.S. History course (HIST 107, 108 or 118) AND one American Institutions (POLS 101 or 103) course. If not, select one course from this list.
You can choose a course in any subject that has a 100-199 in its title. For example ENGL 100 or ASTR 121.
NOTE: Not all 100-level courses are UC-transferable. See the IGETC sheet for UC eligible courses.
Total Units:
14 - 17
Program Requirements:
"Program Requirements" specify the courses required for this program. See suggested course sequence for additional information.
A major of 18 units is required for the associate in arts in geography for transfer degree.
Course Number | Course Title | Units |
---|---|---|
GEOG 101 | Physical Geography | 3.000 - 0.000 |
GEOG 102 | Human Geography | 3.000 - 0.000 |
GEOG 103 | World Regional Geography | 3.000 - 0.000 |
GEOG 115 | Physical Geography Laboratory | 1.000 - 0.000 |
GEOG 105 | Geography of California | 3.000 - 0.000 |
GEOG 110 | Introduction To Weather and Climate | 3.000 - 0.000 |
GEOG 155 | Introduction to GIS with Lab | 2.000 - 0.000 |
Please refer to the "Suggested Course Sequence" tab for General Education requirements.
Programs you may also be interested in exploring:
Contact Information
Department Chair
Roger Hall
805-922-6966 ext. 3427
rhall@hancockcollege.edu
Department Administrative Assistant II
Rose Delgado 805-922-6966 ext. 3334
rose.delgado@hancockcollege.edu
Dean, Academic Affairs
Rick Rantz
805-922-6966 ext. 5203
rrantz@hancockcollege.edu
Location
Santa Maria CampusBldg. C, Rm. 28
805-922-6966 ext. 3732