Instructional Programs Degree(s) None
Geography
Certificate(s) None Employment Concentration Certificate(s) None
San Jacinto Campus (951) 487-MSJC (6752) 1-800-624-5561 Pamela Ford (951) 487-3725 pford@msjc.edu Menifee Valley Campus (951) 672-MSJC (6752) 1-800-452-3335 Cindy Nance (951) 639-5540 cnance@msjc.edu www.msjc.edu/gis
Program Description
Distinctive Features
The courses in this program introduce the fundamentals of physical geography, cultural geography, California geography, and Geographic Information Systems (GIS).
Field study permits students to apply geographic concepts in a variety of Southern California settings.
Geography is a modern field with roots extending back to the ancient Greeks and Egyptians who measured, studied and explained human and land relationships. Today, geographers use sophisticated technologies to analyze spatial and temporal relationships of physical environment and human interactions. Physical geography addresses four environmental themes of atmosphere, hydrosphere, biosphere and lithosphere which overlap in the earth’s life layer. Within the life layer, Cultural Geography focuses on the five themes of cultural region, diffusion, ecology, integration, and landscape. World Regional Geography makes connections between physical and cultural geography, globally. A study of California’s geography covers both temporal (history) and spatial changes (such as development) within the state. Geographic Information Systems (GIS) is a computer mapping program that is both an analytical tool and a research method for identifying spatial and temporal patterns, trends and relationships on maps and in large databases (refer to the GIS program description in this catalog).
Career Opportunities There is a growing demand for geographic training and graduate geographers in both government and private sectors. The many and varied career opportunities dependent upon studies in Geography and/or GIS include the following: Agricultural Planning * Aerial Photography and Remote Sensing * City Planning * Civil Engineering and Surveying * Community and Economic Development * Cultural-historic Resource Management * Demography and Epidemiology * Ecology and Environmental Studies * Emergency Response * Health and Safety * Land Management * Landscape Architecture * Market Analysis * Meteorology and Climatology * Real Estate Brokers and Assessors * Recreation and Open Space Planning * Resource Management * Social and Welfare Services * Transportation Development * Urban and Regional Systems Analysis * Utility Service Planning * Wholesale and Retail Development.
The study of geography is multi-disciplinary, integrating both the natural/physical and social/ behavioral sciences. It is an especially attractive major for liberal arts students.
Mt. San Jacinto College 2007-2008 Catalog
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