Geography
20 courses · Palomar College · 2026-2027 Catalog
Classes: Fall 2026 · Spring 2027
GEOG 100 Earth's Dynamic Environment: Introduction to Physical Geography
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 3.00 hours lecture
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
- C-ID
- GEOG 110
A study of earth's physical environment with emphasis on weather, climate, landform, soils, natural vegetation and the interrelationship between these elements within unique physical landscapes.
GEOG 100L Earth's Dynamic Environment: Physical Geography Lab
- Units
- 1
- Hours
- 3.00 hours lab
- Prerequisite
- (Completion of, or concurrent enrollment in): GEOG 100
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
- C-ID
- GEOG 111
Laboratory and field investigations in weather elements, climate regions, soils, world ecosystems, and Earth's landform features. Satisfies laboratory requirement in physical sciences.
GEOG 103 World Regional Geography
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 3.00 hours lecture
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
- C-ID
- GEOG 125
Critical survey of the major world regions with specific focus on physical and cultural components, such as development, economics, population and migration, political structure, and natural resources and the physical environment.
GEOG 105 People and the Environment: Introduction to Human Geography
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 3.00 hours lecture
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
- C-ID
- GEOG 120
Human elements of geography, including population distribution, general land-use patterns, religion, trade and economy, and their correlation with the physical elements. Emphasis on world cultural regions with attention paid to interdependence and globalization.
GEOG 110 Meteorology: Weather and Climate
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 3.00 hours lecture
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
- C-ID
- GEOG 130
Elements of weather including temperature, moisture, air pressure, and circulation of the atmosphere; air masses, storms, and their geographical distribution. Practical applications in the use of weather instruments, and the reading and interpretation of weather maps and climatological data.
GEOG 115 Natural Disasters and Environmental Hazards
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 3.00 hours lecture
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
Examination and analysis of natural disasters and environmental hazards including earthquakes, tsunamis, volcanic activity, hurricanes, climate change, flooding, mass movement, wildfire, and impacts with space objects.
GEOG 120 Digital Earth: Introduction to Geographic Information Systems
- Units
- 4
- Hours
- 3.00 hours lecture, 3.00 hours lab
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
- C-ID
- GEOG 155
An introduction to the mapping sciences with a primary focus on Geographic Information Systems (GIS). Covers the trends, history, structure, applications, hardware and software, and basic operations of GIS in order to provide a foundation for the use of GIS software. Related geographic technologies to be examined include mapping, aerial and satellite imagery, and Global Positioning Systems (GPS). The lab portion will provide introductory training in the use of ArcGIS software including identifying, evaluating, and inputting spatial data, developing and using raster and vector data sets, converting data from one form to another, and applying programming with GIS software.
GEOG 132 Database Management and Data Acquisition
- Units
- 4
- Hours
- 4.00 hours lecture
- Prerequisite
- (Completion of, or concurrent enrollment in): GEOG 120
- Transfers to
- CSU
Course provides students with knowledge and practical experience in the fundamentals of database management, and the acquisition, conversion, and creation of spatial data within Geographic Information Systems (GIS). Topics to include strategic design, querying, modeling techniques, data appropriateness and accuracy, hardware and software requirements, conversion of digital data, creating digital data using digitizers, scanners and Global Positioning Systems (GPS), and utilization of remote sensing, photogrammetry, and web-based data. This course provides hands-on experience with database management and data acquisition using ArcGIS software.
GEOG 134 GIS Applications and Programming
- Units
- 2
- Hours
- 1.00 hours lecture, 3.00 hours lab
- Prerequisite
- GEOG 120
- Transfers to
- CSU
Provides advanced knowledge and practical experience in developing and customizing Geographic Information Systems (GIS) desktop and web applications. Students will learn the fundamentals of the Python scripting language, as well as the use of models and custom scripts. The lab activities will work with script tools, introductory web mapping interface, and modelbuilder.
GEOG 136 Intermediate ArcGIS: GIS Analysis
- Units
- 2
- Hours
- 1.00 hours lecture, 3.00 hours lab
- Prerequisite
- GEOG 120
- Transfers to
- CSU
Focus on performing complex operations using the ArcGIS software. Students will gain hands-on experience in advanced querying operations, Spatial Analyst and Network Analyst, coordinate geometry, ArcGIS ModelBuilder, and the application of ArcGIS in a variety of disciplines.
GEOG 138 GIS Internship
- Units
- 0.5-2
- Hours
- 1.50-6.00 hours lab
- Prerequisite
- GEOG 120
- Transfers to
- CSU
The Geographic Information Systems (GIS) internship is a directed program allowing students to apply classroom instruction to real-world GIS problem solving by working with a government or private agency. Students will be under the supervision of an instructor from the college and an advisor from the agency while working in one or more aspects of GIS operations. Sixty hours is required for each credit unit in an unpaid internship, and seventy-five hours is required for each credit unit in a paid internship.
GEOG 140 Introduction to Remote Sensing and Drone Data Processing
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 3.00 hours lecture
- Prerequisite
- (Completion of, or concurrent enrollment in): GEOG 120
- Transfers to
- CSU
Provides students with a basic understanding of theories and techniques used in the processing and analysis of satellite and drone (i.e. Unmanned aircraft systems) data. Topics include image and sensor characteristics, information derived from satellite and drone data, and image interpretation and analysis.
GEOG 142 Environmental Applications of GIS
- Units
- 1
- Hours
- 1.00 hours lecture
- Prerequisite
- GEOG 120
- Transfers to
- CSU
Provides students with knowledge and practical experience in the application of GIS in an environmental setting. We will explore how location-based GIS tools are used in many areas of environmental management such as natural disasters, biodiversity, water resources, and pollution. Case studies will be used to explore and understand how GIS is being used to help preserve the earth's resources and environment.
GEOG 143 Introduction to Cartography and Computer Mapping
- Units
- 1
- Hours
- 1.00 hours lecture
- Prerequisite
- GEOG 120
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
Provides the technical and design skills needed to create an effective map using Geographic Information Systems (GIS). Students will receive a review on map projection, coordinate systems, and datum transformation issues. In addition, students will learn about map templates, map annotations, and other tools that are used to enhance spatial data presentation.
GEOG 144 Internet Mapping and Application Development
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 2.50 hours lecture, 1.50 hours lab
- Prerequisite
- GEOG 120
- Transfers to
- CSU
Involves the design, creation, configuration, and optimization of geospatial services and applications to deliver content across the Internet. The student will construct web mapping applications with a variety of user interfaces.
GEOG 145 LiDAR Data Processing and GIS Integration
- Units
- 1
- Hours
- 1.00 hours lecture
- Transfers to
- CSU
This course will introduce students to basic concepts in Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR). Students will also learn to process LiDAR data collected by unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), and analyze this data using Geographic Information Systems (GIS).
GEOG 195 Regional Field Studies in Geography
- Units
- 1-3
- Hours
- 0.50-1.50 hours lecture, 1.50-4.50 hours lab
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
- C-ID
- GEOG 160
Extended field studies of the geography of selected regions. Emphasis upon field observation and interpretation of climate, meteorology, vegetation, soils, and landforms.
GEOG 197 Geography Topics
- Units
- 1-4
- Hours
- 1.00-4.00 hours lecture, 3.00-12.00 hours lab
- Transfers to
- CSU
Units awarded in topics courses are dependent upon the number of hours required of the students. Any combination of lecture and/or laboratory may be scheduled by the department. Refer to Class Schedule.
GEOG 295 Directed Study in Geography
- Units
- 1-3
- Hours
- 3.00-9.00 hours lab
- Prerequisite
- Approval of project or research by instructor
- Transfers to
- CSU
Independent study for students who have demonstrated skills and/or proficiencies in geography subjects and have the initiative to work independently on projects or research outside the context of regularly scheduled classes. Students will work under the personal supervision of an instructor.
GEOG 300 Analysis and Mitigation of Environmental Hazards
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 3.00 hours lecture
- Prerequisite
- GEOG 100 or GEOG 115 Limitation on Enrollment: Must be admitted to a baccalaureate program at a California Community College.
- Transfers to
- CSU
In this course, we will look at some of the drivers that have exacerbated the impacts of environmental hazards such as landslides, floods, wildfires, hurricanes, earthquakes, and heat waves around the world. Additionally, we will discuss how natural and anthropogenic drivers are turning environmental hazards into natural disasters. Students will also learn about mathematical models and geographic information science (GIS) tools, and apply them to analyze and mitigate the risks posed by environmental hazards.