Geography and the Environment
13 courses · Santiago Canyon College · 2025-2026 Catalog
Classes: Summer 2026
GEOG 100 World Regional Geography
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 contact hours total
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
The study of major world political and natural regions. The location of the regions on earth, the physical and cultural elements that lend the regions with their identities, and ways in which these elements related to the regions’ inhabitants and economies.
GEOG 100H Honors World Regional Geography
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 contact hours total
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
Enriched and intensive study, including seminar approach with individual written and oral presentations of major world political and natural regions. The location of the regions on earth, the physical and cultural elements which provide the regions with their identity and ways in which these elements relate to the regions’ inhabitants and economies.
GEOG 101 Introduction to the Natural Environment
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 contact hours total
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
Introduction to the physical elements of geography: maps, earth/sun relationships, meteorology and climatology, natural vegetation, soils, and geomorphology. Former Title: Physical Geography (2021)
GEOG 101H Honors Introduction to the Natural Environment
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 contact hours total
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
Introduction to the physical elements of geography: maps, earth/sun relationships, meteorology and climatology, natural vegetation, soils, and geomorphology. Former Title: Honors Physical Geography (2021)
GEOG 101L Introduction to the Natural Environment Laboratory
- Units
- 1
- Hours
- 54 contact hours total
- Prerequisite
- GEOG 101 (Physical Geography) or concurrent enrollment or GEOG 101H (Honors Physical Geography)
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
Laboratory exercises and experiments designed to explore and understand the primary areas of physical geography. Exercises and applications related to map scales and projections, stereoscopic, topographic and aerial photo interpretation, meteorological tools and models and weather prognostication, geomorphologic models and processes, and landform interpretation. Field trips may be required. Former Title: Physical Geography Laboratory (2021)
GEOG 102 Cultural Geography
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 contact hours total
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
An introductory survey of the geography of culture, and the influences of the physical environment on culture, along with the impact of human activity on the environment, and the role of culture within societies and social groups. The course includes global patterns of population, migration, religion, language, agriculture, politics, customs, resources, and urban and rural settlement.
GEOG 102H Honors Cultural Geography
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 contact hours total
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
An enriched and intensive study, including seminar approach with individual written and oral presentations on the geography of culture, and the influences of the physical environment on culture, along with the impact of human activity on the environment, and the role of culture within societies and social groups. The course includes global patterns of population, migration, religion, language, agriculture, politics, customs, resources, and urban and rural settlement.
GEOG 130 Introduction to Weather and Climate
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 contact hours total
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
This course examines Earth's weather and climate patterns from a geographic perspective. Students explore the basic principles of weather and climate as well as causes and effects. Emphasis is placed on understanding various elements and controls of weather and climate. Techniques and principles involved in interpreting weather data, weather charts and maps, and weather forecasting will also be introduced. Field trips may be required.
GEOG 130H Honors Introduction to Weather and Climate
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 contact hours total
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
Enriched and intensive study, including seminar approach with individual written and oral presentations on Earth's weather and climate patterns from a geographic perspective. Students explore the basic principles of weather and climate as well as causes and effects. Emphasis is placed on understanding various elements and controls of weather and climate. Techniques and principles involved in interpreting weather data, weather charts and maps and weather forecasting will also be introduced. Field trips may be required.
GEOG 140 California Geography
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 contact hours total
- Advisory
- GEOG 100 (World Regional Geography) or GEOG 100H (Honors World Regional Geography)
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
A thematic approach to California's geographical issues, processes and topics relevant to geography including climate, landforms, natural vegetation, water resources, cultural landscape, ethnic diversity, urban and agricultural regions, and the economy. This course explores the physical and human landscapes that have evolved as a result of the human-environment interface. Field trips may be required.
GEOG 150 Exploring Maps and Geographic Technologies
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 contact hours total
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
This class is an introduction to maps, images, and geospatial techniques and technologies. The technologies covered in this course include map and aerial photograph interpretation, tabular data, spatial statistics, cartography, Global Positioning Systems (GPS), Internet mapping, remote sensing, and Geographic Information Systems (GIS), all of which aid in data collection, analysis, and presentation. Field trips may be required.
GEOG 155 Introduction to Geographic Information Systems
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 72 contact hours total
- Advisory
- Anti-Requisite: SURV 155 (Introduction to Geographic Information Systems)
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
This course introduces basic scientific principles of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) as they relate to working with data that have important spatial orientation and organization. Geographic concepts and theories are used to develop scientific methods for proper communication of the data and the solution of problems that have spatial relationships. The adaptability of GIS to a wide variety of applications useful for many disciplines is presented. The course covers basic concepts in mapping and orientation, the development of map scales and comparison of different coordinate systems and data error analysis.
GEOG 160 Regional Field Studies
- Units
- 1
- Hours
- 18 contact hours total
- Transfers to
- CSU
This field studies course analyzes the cultural and physical geography of a region. Students will observe and interpret the physical and cultural processes of the region. Topographical maps will be utilized to interpret land use and terrain. Specific content will vary by geographic region. Field Trips are required.