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Lower Division
101. The Physical Environment (3) (Normally offered every semester)
Study of the natural environment; nature, distribution, and relationships of climate, landforms, vegetation, hydrology, and soils. (Available for General Education, Natural Sciences.)102. Physical Geography Laboratory (1) (Normally offered every semester)
Pre- or co-requisite: Geography 101 or equivalent. Observations, experiments, and demonstrations designed to familiarize students with techniques utilized by physical geographers. Three hours of laboratory. (This course may be used to satisfy the laboratory requirement in the Natural Science Section of General Education.)103. Weather (3) (Normally offered every semester)
The study of atmospheric processes. (Available for General Education, Natural Sciences.)104. California Weather (2)
An analysis of California weather and its place in the General Circulation of the Earth's atmosphere, including a survey of the State weather patterns by regions, by seasons, and by its effects on crops, water availability, and air quality. Students cannot receive credit for both Geography 104 and Geography 103. Two hours of lecture per week. (Available for General Education, Natural Sciences.)105. Weather Lab (1) (Normally offered every semester)
Pre- or co-requisite: Geography 104 or 103. Observations, experiments, and demonstrations designed to familiarize students with the nature of California weather and climate. Three hours of laboratory per week. (This course may be used to satisfy the laboratory requirement in the Natural Science Section of General Education.)150. World Geography (3) (Normally offered every semester)
A geographical survey of the world's major regions with emphasis on those features important to an understanding of current global concerns and problems. (Available for General Education, Social Sciences.)160. Cultural Geography of the Third World (3)
A survey of the cultural geography of Latin America, Asia, and Africa, with special emphasis on the spatial patterns of culture and human-environment interaction. (Available for General Education, Comparative Cultural Studies.)201. Human Impact on the Environment (3)
A world survey through time of the role of humans in the modification of the natural environment (vegetation, animal life, soils, landforms, waters and atmosphere).206. Introduction to Geographical Information Science (1) 206L. Introduction To Geographical Information Science Laboratory (2)
Introduction basic principles of geographical information science (GIS), including data gathering, analysis, and display through digital methods. Students will be introduced to examples of how GIS is currently being used to answer spatial questions on environmental and social issues. Laboratories will demonstrate these principles through operation of a GIS package on microcomputers. (One hour lecture, six hours laboratory. Available for General Education, Applied Arts and Sciences.)Upper Division
300. Introduction to Geographic Research (1) 300L. Laboratory in Geographic Research (2) (Normally offered every semester)
An introduction to geography and geographical research. It is recommended that this course be taken during the first semester of the junior year. (One hour of lecture and six hours of laboratory.)301. Cultural Geography (3) (Normally offered every semester)
Prerequisites: A lower division course in the social sciences and completion of the lower division writing requirement. A study of the literature, traditions, and theories dealing with the human-environment relationship and an analysis of the approaches used by cultural geographers to elucidate the nature of this relationship. The major themes will be the cultural landscape, cultural ecology, and environmental perception. (Available for General Education, Social Sciences.)304. Map Reading and Interpretation (1) 304L. Laboratory in Map Reading and Interpretation (2)
Prerequisite: Geography 101 or 150. Techniques of map reading, interpretation of maps and aerial photographs, and elementary map making. One hour lecture, 6 hours of laboratory. (Satisfies the major requirement for a course in geographical techniques.)305. Maps and Graphics (1) 305L. Laboratory in Maps and Graphics (2) (Normally offered every semester)
Prerequisite: A lower division course in geography or another relevant field. The design, use and preparation of maps and graphs. (One hour of lecture, six hours of laboratory.)306. Intermediate Geographical Information Science (1) 306L. Intermediate Geographical Information Science Laboratory (2)
Prerequisite: Geography 206 or permission of instructor. This course will cover principles of geographic data acquisition, processing, and display through digital methods. Students will be introduced to spatial data structures and grid-based applications of GIS. Labs will give hands-on experience with MapInfo and ArcView. (One hour lecture, six hours laboratory.)307. Air Photo Interpretation (2) 307L. Laboratory in Air Photo Interpretation (1)
Prerequisite: Geography 101 or 304 or 365. Introduction to conventional air photographs as a research tool. Emphasis on making simple measurements of air photos, techniques of interpreting the physical and cultural landscape, and using air photos in the production of maps. (Two hours of lecture and three hours of laboratory.)311. Atmosphere (3) (Normally offered every semester)
Prerequisites: Geography 101, 103, or similar natural science course, and completion of the lower division writing requirement. Explanations of rain, wind, smog, etc. Basic principles of energy transfer. (Available for General Education, Natural Sciences.)320. Europe (3)
Prerequisite: Completion of the lower division writing requirement. An examination of the physical, historical, cultural, economic, and political factors that have shaped the contemporary European landscapes. (Available for General Education, Social Sciences.)321. United States (3) (Normally offered every semester)
Prerequisites: A lower division course in the social sciences, and completion of the lower division writing requirement. A regional and cultural geography of the United States emphasizing human-environment interaction and the evolution of contemporary geographical patterns of population distribution, resource exploitation, transportation, and agricultural and industrial production. (Available for General Education, Social Sciences.)322. Latin America (3) (Normally offered every semester)
Prerequisite: Completion of the lower division writing requirement. A spatial and ecological survey of the environment, cultures, economies, and societies of the Latin American nations. The course emphasizes the changing settlement geography and pays special attention to Mexico, Brazil, and the Andean countries. (Available for General Education, Comparative Cultural Studies.)323. Canada (3) (Normally offered every semester)
Prerequisite: Completion of the lower division writing requirement. An analysis of Canada's regional geographic structure with emphasis on the changing cultural, economic, and political geography. Geographic interrelationships with the United States are stressed. (Available for General Education, Comparative Cultural Studies.)324. China (3)
Prerequisite: Completion of the lower division writing requirement. A geographical analysis of the peoples and culture of China, emphasizing features important to an understanding of China's cultural and regional diversity and contemporary problems. (Available for General Education, Comparative Cultural Studies.)325. Southeast Asia (3)
Prerequisite: Completion of the lower division writing requirement. A geographical analysis of the peoples and culture of Southeast Asia, emphasizing features important to an understanding of Southeast Asia's cultural and regional diversity and contemporary problems. (Available for General Education, Comparative Cultural Studies.)326. Africa (3)
Prerequisite: Completion of the lower division writing requirement. A geographical analysis of the peoples and culture of Africa, emphasizing features important to an understanding of Africa's cultural and regional diversity and contemporary problems. (Available for General Education, Comparative Cultural Studies.)328. Mexico (3)
Prerequisite: Completion of the lower division writing requirement. A geographical analysis of Mexico, emphasizing features important to an understanding of Mexico's regional and cultural diversity and contemporary problems. (Available for General Education, Comparative Cultural Studies, subsection F.2, International Cross-Cultural Studies.)330. California (3) (Normally offered every semester)
Prerequisites: A lower division course in the social sciences and completion of the lower division writing requirement. An examination of the geography of California emphasizing the evolution of contemporary patterns of population and settlement, resource exploitation, and human-environment interaction. The course focuses on the regional variation and diversity of the State's geography. (Available for General Education, Social Sciences.)335. Russia and its Neighbors of the Former Soviet Union (3) (Normally offered spring semester)
Prerequisite: Completion of the lower division writing requirement. The physical, cultural, and regional geography of this pivotal and rapidly changing region extending from the Baltic Sea to the Pacific Ocean. (Available for General Education, Comparative Cultural Studies.)340. Economic Geography (3) (Normally offered every semester)
Prerequisite: A lower division course in Geography or Econ. 160 or 300. Principles governing spatial organization of society. Theoretical and empirical approaches to location of urban and rural settlement and economic activities. Spatial structures, their interrelationship, and changes in organization.350. Metropolitan Los Angeles (3)
Prerequisite: A lower division course in geography. A geographical analysis of the Los Angeles urban area with emphasis on physical, economic, and cultural aspects of its development.351. Urban Geography (3) (Normally offered every semester)
Prerequisites: A lower division course in the Social Sciences and completion of the lower division writing requirement. The geographical analysis of past and current patterns of world urbanization. Emphasis will be placed on city origins, growth, development, and current problems. (Available for General Education, Social Sciences.)360. Quantitative Geography (2) 360L. Laboratory in Quantitative Geography (1) (Normally offered every semester)
Prerequisite: Mathematics 140. Application of probability theory, statistical procedures, and dimensional analysis to problems in economic and cultural geography, climatology, landforms, and related fields. Graphic representation. (Two hours lecture and two hours laboratory.)364. World Ecosystems (2) 364L. Laboratory in World Ecosystems (1) (Normally offered every semester)
Prerequisite: Geography 101. The major vegetative formations of the world, their soil (edaphic) and atmospheric environments, and the role of human activity in modification, destruction, and replacement of vegetative structures and environments through purposeful and inadvertent activities. Local vegetative types will be examined on field trips. (Two hours lecture and two hours field activity.)365. Geomorphology (2) 365L. Laboratory in Geomorphology (1) (Normally offered every semester)
Prerequisite: Geography 101 or Geological Sciences 101, and completion of the lower division writing requirement. Analytical and descriptive study of physical processes responsible for development and evolution of Earth's surface features. Aspects of local geomorphology will be observed on field trips. (Two hours lecture and two hours field activity.) (Available for General Education, Natural Sciences.)366. Geography of Environmental Hazards (3)
Prerequisites: A lower division science course from Physical Geography, Geological Sciences, Physics, Chemistry, or Biology. From a geographical perspective, comprehension of environmental hazards, their spatial distribution, their magnitude and frequency of occurrence and human perception of environmental hazards. This course emphasizes impact of environmental hazards on land utilization, settlement patterns, economic development and transportation systems.Courses Acceptable for the Master's Degree
(300-level courses in geography do not carry graduate credit for a master's in geography. Electives will normally be in Geography at the 600-level. However, with departmental approval, certain 400-level courses in Geography and related fields may be counted toward the Master's degree.)402. Field and Laboratory Techniques in Physical Geography (3)
Prerequisite: Geography 311, 364 or 365. This techniques course in geomorphology, climatology and biogeography includes the principles of field surveying and mapping, water sampling, stream velocity and sediment transport measurement, basic weather station instrumentation, programming and deployment, and sampling designs for vegetation and soil analysis. The course will include two off-campus field trips. One hour lecture, six hours laboratory/field.404A-Z. Field Studies in Geography (1-3)
Prerequisite: Six units in Geography. Techniques of field observation, recordings and analysis through mapping and written reports. A-Anglo-America; B-Latin America; J-Cultural; K-Historical; L-Political; M-Economic Development; N-Resources; P-Agricultural; Q-Industrial; R-Transportation; S-Settlement; T-Urban; U-Physical; V-Geomorphology; W-Climate; X-Quantitative Methods; Y-Cartography; Z-Selected Topics. Field Studies may be repeated for credit.406. Advanced Geographical Information Science (1) 406L. Advanced Geographical Information Science Laboratory (2)
Prerequisite: Geography 306 or permission of instructor. This course will cover advanced topics in geographical information science. Students will investigate geographic data structures, database design, algorithms for spatial data analysis, and implementation and management issues associated with geographic information systems. Laboratories will demonstrate these issues through the use of ArcInfo software. (One hour lecture, six hours laboratory.)407. Remote Sensing (2) 407L. Laboratory in Remote Sensing (1)
Prerequisite: Geography 304/304L. A problem oriented course emphasizing the techniques and application on imagery recorded in non-visible segments of the electromagnetic spectrum. This includes infrared, near infrared and radar imagery from aircraft and satellite platforms. (Two hour of lecture and three hours of laboratory.)408. Applications in Geographical Information Science (1) 408L. Applications in Geographical Information Science Laboratory (2)
Prerequisite: Geography 406 or permission of instructor. Advanced applications of geographical information systems. Examples may include analysis of crime patterns, patterns of disease and health care delivery, population and housing characteristics, utility management, environmental hazards, animal and plant species distributions, distributions of archaeological sites, market area analysis, mineral exploration, voting behavior and redistricting, forest inventory and management, and vehicle navigation. In some cases projects may result in the development of customized applications of software through the addition of new functions. (One hour lecture, six hours laboratory.)409. Computer Mapping (2) 409L. Laboratory in Computer Mapping (1)
Prerequisite: Upper division standing. The design, use and preparation of graphs, diagrams and maps with computers. (Two hours of lecture and three hours of laboratory.)411. World Climate (3) (Normally offered Fall semester of even years)
Prerequisite: Geography 103 or 311. Comprehensive description and analysis of global world climate patterns, long-distance cause and effect relationships, and air-sea interaction.412. Boundary Layer Climatology (3) (Normally offered Spring semester of odd years)
Prerequisite: Geography 311. Interrelations of weather and local topography and vegetation. Land-sea breezes, mountain-valley winds, natural and artificial windbreaks, sandstorms and dust storms, air pollution, local heat, moisture sources and sinks, frost prevention, forest fires. Field studies.413. Bioclimatology (3)
Prerequisite: Geography 311. Description, measurement, and analysis of effects of climate on plants, animals, and humans.414. Hydroclimatology (3) (Normally offered Fall semester of odd years)
Prerequisite: Geography 311. Details of the hydrologic cycle, emphasizing cloud physics, precipitation, evaporation, and runoff. Nature and causes of rainfall variability in time and space. Cloud seeding. Irrigation and water supply problems. Field studies.415. Air Pollution (3) (Normally offered Fall semesters)
Prerequisite: Geography 103 or 311. Role of meteorology in the transport and diffusion of air pollution; estimation of pollutant concentrations from continuous releases; familiarization with meteorological instrumentation and correct exposure; factors related to site selection, control programs, planning, and interpreting of surveys in relation to air pollution.416. Earth's Changing Climate (3)
Prerequisite: Geography 103 or 311. An analysis of Earth's changing climate throughout geologic time. Includes consideration of the mechanisms of climate change, techniques of climate reconstruction and analysis, the chronology of climate change (major ice ages, periods of warmth and aridity, and the Little Ice Age), and global warming and ozone depletion. The course will include one weekend field trip.444. Conservation (3) (Formerly 344)
Prerequisites: Geography 101 or 315 and completion of the lower division writing requirement. Lecture-discussion on the percepts, concepts, practices, and problems in the human utilization of resources. Regular written assignments will be required.452. Urban Land-Use Planning (3) (Normally offered Spring semesters)
Prerequisites: A lower division course in geography, political science, or sociology and completion of the lower-division writing requirement. The principles and techniques of land-use planning in urban areas. Regular written assignments will be required.457. Urban Systems (3)
Prerequisite: Geography 351. A systems approach to inter-city relations that focuses on the role of the city in the structure and development of space economies. Detailed study of selected spatial and regional development models.459. Environmental Impact Studies (3) (Normally offered Fall semesters)
Prerequisite: Lower division geography course and upper division standing and completion of the lower-division writing requirement. Geographic analysis of environmental control legislation affecting municipal, state, and federal planning; the application of geographic analysis to development of systems for evaluating planned land-use activities. Regular written assignments will be required.460. Spatial Analysis and Comparison (2) 460L. Laboratory in Spatial Analysis and Comparison (1) (Normally offered Spring semesters)
Prerequisite: Geography 360 or Business 301. Statistical analysis of quantitative data by areas. Measurement of aggregation and concentration, description of aerial distribution and gradients, significance of similarities and differences. (Two hours lecture and two hours laboratory.)462. Computer Applications in Geography (2) 462L. Laboratory in Computer Applications (1)
Prerequisite: Upper division standing. The nature of digital computers. Coding geographic data. Utilization of standardized computing routings, geographical data banks. Computer mapping. Computer programming. (Two hours lecture, three hours laboratory.)465. Fluvial Geomorphology (2) 465L. Laboratory in Fluvial Geomorphology (1)
(Normally offered Spring semester of odd years) Prerequisite: Geography 365. Role of water in landform development: weathering, overland flow, open channel characteristics, drainage pattern evolution, and drainage basin characteristics. (Two hours lecture and two hours field activity.)467. Arid Lands Geomorphology (2) 467L. Laboratory in Arid Lands Geomorphology (1) (Normally offered Fall semester of even years)
Prerequisite: Geography 365. Landform development in deserts: origin of deserts, erosion and sedimentation in dry climates, morphology, Aeolian processes. (Two hours lecture and two hours field activity.)468. Coastal Geomorphology (2) 468L. Laboratory in Coastal Geomorphology (1) (Normally offered Fall of odd years)
Prerequisite: Geography 365. Concepts and theories of beach and coastline development: near shore oceanographic processes, sea level fluctuations, coastal morphology, problems of classification. (Two hours lecture and two hours field activity.)482. Population Geography (3) (Formerly 382)
Prerequisite: A lower division course in geography. Geographical analysis and study of the distribution, composition, migration, and growth of world population.486. Medical Geography (3)
Prerequisite: A lower division course in geography and completion of the lower division writing requirement. An examination of the spatial distribution of human diseases at world, regional, national, and local scales. Special emphasis will be placed on understanding the physical and cultural factors associated with patterns of disease.490. Senior Project (3) (Normally offered every semester)
Preparation of a research proposal and writing of a senior paper under close faculty supervision.494. Internship (3)
Prerequisite: Geography major with senior standing. Upon prior approval of the Internship Coordinator, a student may earn three units of credit in the major for professional service as a geographer in a public agency or private organization. No more than three units may be applied to the major. The specialization in either Urban Geography, Environmental Studies, Cartography and GIS, or Regional and International Studies. An Academic Internship Course.497A-F. Senior Seminar in Geography (3)
Prerequisite: An appropriate upper division course in geography. In a seminar setting, students will be guided in reading, research, and writing on selected topics within one of the major sub-disciplines of geography. Each seminar will focus on a particular subject within the designated sub-discipline. The subjects will vary and be determined each semester. Seminars in same sub-disciplines may be repeated for credit. A-Physical, B-Cultural, C-Economic, D- Urban, E-Regional, F-Techniques.498. Tutorial in Geography (1)
Prerequisite: A lower division course in geography. Individual, supervised study in selected areas of the student's interests. A maximum of six units is permissible for credit in the major.499 ABC. Independent Study (1-3)
Graduate Courses
600. Geographic Thought, Analysis, and Research (3)
An introduction seminar designed for first-year graduate students. An analysis of the trends in the theories, methods, and problems pertinent to contemporary geography, including a review of the skills required for geographical research, analysis, and writing. (Normally offered Fall semesters.)605A-B. Historical Geography (3)
A-History of Geographical Thought, B-Regional Historical Geography.610A-G. Geomorphology (3)
A-Fluvial, B-Glacial and Periglacial, C-Arid Lands, D-Coastal, E-Regional, F-Environmental Hazards, G-Theoretical.620A-G. Climatology (3)
A-Plant Geography, B-Zoogeography, C-Soils, D-Ecosystem Studies, E-Human Impact on Environment, F-Natural Resources.640A-E. Economic Geography (3)
A-Agriculture, B-Resource Utilization, C-Transportation, D-Industrial Location, E-Business Location Analysis.650A-F. Urban Geography (3)
A-Comparative Urban Structure, B-Urban Systems, C-Housing and Community Development, D-Urban Social Geography, E-Urban Land Use Planning, F-Metropolitan Los Angeles.660A-D. Cultural Geography (3)
A-Landscape Studies, B-Cultural Ecology, C-Environmental Perception, D-Social/Ethnic Studies.670A-G. Global Studies (3)
A-Population Geography, B-Medical Geography, C-Economic Development, D-Tourism, E-International Trade, F-Globalization, G-Political Geography.680A-N. Regional Geography (3)
A-California, B-United States, C-Canada, D-Mexico, E-Central America, F-South America, G-Europe, H-Southwest Asia, I-South Asia, J-Southeast Asia, K-East Asia, L-Eurasia, M-Africa, N-Oceania.690A-G. Geographic Visualization (3)
A-History of Cartography, B-Map Interpretation, C-Digital Cartography, D-Remote Sensing, E-Image Interpretation, F-Methods in GIS, G-Applications of GIS.695A-C. Methods of Geographical Analysis (3)
A-Quantitative Analysis, B-Methods in Geomorphology, C-Methods in Climatology.696. Directed Graduate Research (3)
To be taken near the end of the student's graduate program and prior to Geography 698. Supervised research leading to the development of a thesis topic, the preparation of a preliminary bibliography and a formal thesis proposal, and the selection of a faculty thesis committee. (Normally offered Fall semesters.)698. Thesis (3)
Prerequisite: Geography 696. Researching and writing the Master's thesis, under the supervision of the student's faculty thesis committee. Only one enrollment permitted.699 ABC. Independent Study (1-3)
Prerequisite: Consent of instructor, graduate coordinator, and department chair. A maximum of 3 units may be applied to the student's program and only to the Elective requirement in the program.- Printable version of this page -