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Geography

Geography is one of the most exciting and versatile majors at SJSU. Geographers use the tools of natural and social sciences combined with cutting-edge mapping technologies to make sense of the world, its diversity, environment, populations, problems and possibilities. Geography is a perfect major for many different career paths. Whether you intend to pursue a career in business, computer technology, travel, consulting, environmental work, teaching, the military or government service, geography will provide a foundation that will make you competitive on the job market.

We have three primary areas of emphasis for undergraduates: Global Analysis, Geographic Information Systems and Urban Analysis. Our faculty interests cover a wide range of topics and research emphases. Geography faculty are products of some of the most prestigious graduate programs in the country. Our research interests are diverse and far-reaching including field work in the U.S.A. , Africa, Australia, and Latin America. Our faculty expertise includes remote sensing, geographic information systems, cartography, environment and landscape change, historical geography, development studies and biogeography. In addition, the Geography department has close links with the Metropolitan Technology Center at NASA-Ames, where geography students have extraordinary opportunities.

Geography is also a great minor for fields as diverse as engineering, environmental studies, global studies, natural and physical sciences, international business, marketing, political science, history, journalism, advertising, mass communications, social science, computer science, and many more. For instance, imagine how marketable you would be in the field of international business if you were well-versed in geography and actually understood the politics, economics and cultures of countries with which your company wished to do business. Engineers working overseas will be much more efficient if they understand the countries in which they work. Biologists benefit from learning about the biophysical world as understood by geographers. And social and cultural geography provides a solid foundation for work in government service, the Peace Corps and work with international organizations.

For more information on geography at SJSU, and some fun interactive maps, go to www2.sjsu.edu/depts/geography/

BA - Geography

Students considering transferring in Geography to San José State are urged to review the information on the department web site located at http://www.sjsu.edu/depts/geography

Core Geography courses:

GEOG 001 Geography of Natural Environments
GEOG 010 Cultural Geography

Preparation for the Major:

STAT 095 Elementary Statistics

Select one of the three following emphases: Global Analysis, Urban Analysis or Geographic Information Science. Only the Geographic Information Science emphasis offer the following lower division support course requirements:

MATH 019 Precalculus
CS 046A Introduction to Programming

All students must satisfy the following prerequisite (or equivalent) prior to registering for the WST and 100W courses at SJSU {Academic Senate policy S05-8}:

ENGL 001B Composition 2
A "C" or better is required in English 1B (a "C-" is not acceptable).
or
Second Semester English Composition Equivalent Course
A course articulated to SJSU's English 1B is recommended, however any course approved for the IGETC second semester composition area would be accepted to meet this requirement (a grade of "C" or better is required).

Special Activities and Programs

MA – Geography
Certificate in Geographic Information Science

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