Academic Catalogs

Geography, Associate in Arts Degree for Transfer

Banner Code: 2_AAT_GEOG

Control Number: 32145

Financial Aid Eligible


The Geography Associate in Arts for Transfer (AAT) degree focuses on the world’s physical and social processes. Geography is one of the most broad and applicable disciplines in academia because it includes both the social and physical sciences. Students learn about the most contemporary and pressing issues facing the world today including global warming and climate change, natural disasters, health of ecosystems, renewable and non-renewable resources, immigration, global conflicts and terrorism, forms of power, inequality and justice, local and global politics and economics, urban development, and processes of race, class, gender, sexuality, and religion. While Geography majors may go on to specialize in a specific area of Geography, the AAT provides students with a foundational understanding of the main systems and processes that interact to produce and maintain our physical and social world as well as the tools to study them, including GIS (Geographic Information Systems). Students will be prepared to complete a baccalaureate degree in Geography and, subsequently, pursue an exceptionally wide range of careers in education, research, planning, environmental consulting, GIS, international relations, and government.

Program Level Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this program, students will be able to:

  1. Describe the locations and distributions of major surface features, both human and natural/physical.
  2. Explain the spatial and causal relationships among human and natural phenomena.
  3. Apply the tools and techniques of geography to examine Earth's human and physical processes.

Associate Degree for Transfer Graduation Requirements

Associate Degrees for Transfer require students to meet the following requirements:

  • Completion of 60 semester units or 90 quarter units of degree-applicable courses,
  • Minimum overall grade point average of 2.0,
  • Minimum grade of “C” (or “P”) for each course in the major, and
  • Completion of IGETC and/or CSU GE-Breadth.

Students should consult a GWC counselor in order to select the best pathway to meet their educational goals. For students who intend to transfer, the choice of general education will be specific to both their major and transfer institution.

Course Title Units
Required Courses
GEOG G180Physical Geography3
GEOG G185Human Geography3
or GEOG G100 World Regional Geography
List A6-7
Select one NOT already taken above:
GEOG G130Introduction to Weather and Climate3
GEOG G180LPhysical Geography Laboratory1
GEOG G190Digital Mapping: Introduction to Geographic Information Systems3
List B
Select two of the following:6-9
Any course from List A not already used
ANTH G100Introduction to Cultural Anthropology3
BIOL G100Introduction to Biology4
CHEM G180General Chemistry A5
CS G153Java Programming 13
ECON G170Principles of Microeconomics3
GEOG G120Critical Geographies of Race/Ethnicity in the United States3
GEOL G105General Geology3
MATH G160Introduction To Statistics4
PHYS G120Algebra Based Physics: Mechanics4
PSCI G180American Government3
Major Total18-22
GE Pattern (CSU GE-Breadth or IGETC)37-39
Total units that may be double-counted10-16
Transferable Electives (as needed to reach 60 units)10-28
Total Units60

Recommended Program Sequence

These sequences are general course maps for students to finish all major and general education requirements for two-year completion of degrees, completion of short-term certificates, and/or fulfillment of transfer requirements. However, this may not be an appropriate path for all students.  The two-year sequence is based on English and Math placement and meeting other course prerequisites. Students are advised to meet with a GWC Counselor to review course selections and sequences to ensure that completion of this program will meet a student's transfer and career goals.

Year 1:

Course Title Units
Semester 1
GEOG G180Physical Geography3
GEOG G180LPhysical Geography Laboratory1
ENGL G100Freshman Composition ^4
Area E: Lifelong Learning & Self-Development course3
Area C: Arts & Humanities course3
Units14
Course Title Units
Semester 2
GEOG G185Human Geography3
GEOG G130Introduction to Weather and Climate3
Area A1: Oral Communication course3
Area A3: Critical Thinking course3-4
Area B4: Math requirement (MATH G160 recommended)4
Units16-17

Year 2:

Course Title Units
Semester 3
HIST G170History Of The United States To 1876 (Area C2: Humanities course)3
or HIST G175 History of the United States Since 1876
GEOG G100World Regional Geography3
Area C1: Arts course3
Area F: Ethnic Studies course3
Select one of the following:3-4
ANTH G100Introduction to Cultural Anthropology3
CS G153Java Programming 13
ECON G170Principles of Microeconomics3
GEOG G190Digital Mapping: Introduction to Geographic Information Systems3
GEOG G120Critical Geographies of Race/Ethnicity in the United States3
MATH G160Introduction To Statistics4
PHYS G120Algebra Based Physics: Mechanics4
BIOL G100Introduction to Biology4
CHEM G180General Chemistry A5
PSCI G180American Government3
GEOL G105General Geology3
Units15-16
Course Title Units
Semester 4
Area B2: Life Science course (without lab)3
CSU Transferable elective coursework to reach a minimum of 60 units9-10
Select one of the following NOT already taken: 3-4
ANTH G100Introduction to Cultural Anthropology3
CS G153Java Programming 13
ECON G170Principles of Microeconomics3
GEOG G190Digital Mapping: Introduction to Geographic Information Systems3
GEOG G120Critical Geographies of Race/Ethnicity in the United States3
MATH G160Introduction To Statistics4
PHYS G120Algebra Based Physics: Mechanics4
BIOL G100Introduction to Biology4
CHEM G180General Chemistry A5
PSCI G180American Government3
GEOL G105General Geology3
Units15-17
Total minimum units required60
^

Program sequence may not be recommended for students who self-place into ENGL G100S. Students should see a Counselor for appropriate advisement.