Geography and Geospatial Technologies
17 courses · Shasta College · 2026-2027 Catalog
Classes: Fall 2026
GEOG-1A Physical Geography
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 lecture total (when offered in the distance education format, hours will total 162)
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
- C-ID
- GEOG 110
This course investigates Earth’s physical systems, their dynamic processes, and surface expressions. Topics include weather, climate, hydrology, tectonics, geomorphology, and the biosphere. Attention is given to spatial patterns and impacts of human activities. This course may be offered in a distance education format.
GEOG-1AL Physical Geography Lab
- Units
- 1
- Hours
- 54 lab total (when offered in the distance education format, hours will total 54)
- Corequisite
- GEOG 1A
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
- C-ID
- GEOG 111
This course investigates Earth’s physical systems, through lab and field activities. Students will use maps, take measurements, and interpret physical phenomena in the lab. Students will observe, measure, and document landforms, hydrologic processes and ecosystems in the field. Data is gathered, displayed and interpreted from a range of sources. This course may be offered in a distance education format.
GEOG-1B Human Geography
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 lecture total (when offered in the distance education format, hours will total 162)
- Advisory
- Essay-writing skills and eligibility to enroll in a transfer-level English Composition course, or English Placement Level 6 or higher
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
- C-ID
- GEOG 120
This course examines human populations and cultures from a spatial perspective. Characteristics of population change, migration, religion, language, and other societal characteristics are investigated, as well as the role of physical geography in influencing land use, cultural practices, and relationships among human groups. This course may be offered in a distance education format.
GEOG-2A Field Studies in Physical Geography
- Units
- 1
- Hours
- 9 lecture/27 lab total (when offered in the distance education format, hours will total 27 for the lecture portion of the class and an additional 27 hours of lab, totaling 54 hours for this course)
- Transfers to
- CSU
- C-ID
- GEOG 160
Field studies of physical processes and formations are essential to the study of geography. Landforms, water resources, erosion hazards, soil conditions, and vegetation patterns are among the topics that illustrate the interactions between humans and the environment. Students will be exposed to a range of field techniques including observation, map use and measurement. The lecture portion of this course may be offered in a distance education format.
GEOG-2B Field Studies in Human Geography
- Units
- 1
- Hours
- 9 lecture/27 lab total (when offered in the distance education format, hours will total 27 for the lecture portion of the class and an additional 27 hours of lab, totaling 54 hours for this course)
- Transfers to
- CSU
- C-ID
- GEOG 160
Field studies of built landscapes and cultural expressions are essential to the study of human geography. Topics including land-use, planning, economy, transportation, social conditions, cultural practices and historical legacies will be explored. Students will be exposed to field techniques including note taking, interviews and map use. The lecture portion of this course may be offered in a distance education format.
GEOG-5 Digital Geographies
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 lecture total (when offered in the distance education format, hours will total 162)
- Advisory
- Essay-writing skills and eligibility to enroll in a transfer-level English Composition course, or English Placement Level 6 or higher
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
Digital Geographies explores how space, place, and representation are produced, contested, and mediated in the digital age, including changes to the behavior of individuals and groups. Governance, commerce, and culture have changed the perception of, and interaction with, geographic space. Geographic theories and geospatial methods are employed in the investigation and analysis of spatial aspects of society and human behavior. As government and industry have increasingly adopted surveillance technologies, new power dynamics and disparities have resulted across different geographic scales. Critical cartography serves as a framework for understanding power imbalances through time and space, while participatory GIS is presented as a means of empowering marginalized populations. The analysis of case studies reinforces how digital geographies are impacting individuals and society. This course may be offered in a distance education format.
GEOG-7 California Geography
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 lecture total (when offered in the distance education format, hours will total 162)
- Advisory
- Essay-writing skills and eligibility to enroll in a transfer-level English Composition course, or English Placement Level 6 or higher
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
- C-ID
- GEOG 140
This course is an introduction to California’s diverse physical and human geography. Tectonics, climate, water resources, and vegetation communities are investigated for different regions. Spatial patterns of human populations are examined in terms of composition, density, and historic development. Students learn about cultural landscapes through historic periods: Indigenous, Spanish, Mexican, early Statehood, and 20th century. This provides a foundation for addressing contemporary concerns related to the economy, social justice, transportation, energy, water resources, and environmental degradation. This course may be offered in a distance education format.
GEOG-8 World Regional Geography
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 lecture total (when offered in the distance education format, hours will total 162)
- Advisory
- Essay-writing skills and eligibility to enroll in a transfer-level English Composition course, or English Placement Level 6 or higher
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
- C-ID
- GEOG 125
This course will introduce students to the world’s major geographic regions, increasing awareness and highlighting the significance of unifying geographic concepts by exploring the interrelation of physical, cultural, economic, and political characteristics. Key geographic features such as mountain ranges, rivers, countries, and major cities will also be an important part of the course. This course may be offered in a distance education format.
GEOG-9 Map and Geospatial Principles
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 36 lecture/54 lab total (when offered in the distance education format, hours will total 162)
- Transfers to
- CSU
- C-ID
- GEOG 150
This course is an introduction to maps, imagery, and geospatial technologies. Students will learn geographic techniques for data collection, interpretation, and presentation. Map principles along with types of maps and their applications are covered. Methodologies include map reading, use of imagery, geographic information systems (GIS), global positioning systems (GPS), and map creation. Recent trends such as crowd-mapping, drone image capture and Lidar are also investigated. This course may be offered in a distance education format.
GEOG-10 Introduction to Geographic Information Systems
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 36 lecture/54 lab total (when offered in the distance education format, hours will total 162)
- Corequisite
- GEOG 9, or previous completion of GEOG 9 with a grade of C or higher
- Advisory
- CIS 1 with a grade of C or higher, or demonstrated computer literacy.
- Formerly
- GIS 10, NR 84
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
- C-ID
- GEOG 155
This course covers the theory and practice of geographic information systems (GIS). Students learn essential GIS procedures for data viewing, acquisition, manipulation, geographic referencing, and map creation. GIS data types, properties, database operations and applications are covered. Basic methods of GIS analysis are also included. This course focuses on the ArcGIS software platform, employing both desktop and online products. This course may be offered in a distance education format.
GEOG-12 GIS Data Design and Capture
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 36 lecture/54 lab total (when offered in the distance education format, hours will total 162)
- Prerequisite
- GEOG 10 with a grade of C or higher, or demonstrated GIS experience
- Corequisite
- GEOG 10 with a grade of C or higher, or
- Transfers to
- CSU
This course covers the design and implementation of geographic databases for GIS data capture and management. Included are essential concepts and practices of relational database management systems, with specific applications to GIS. Data is captured using GPS and mobile GIS methods. GIS digitizing and editing are also covered. This course may be offered in a distance education format.
GEOG-13 GIS Spatial Analysis
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 36 lecture/54 lab total (when offered in the distance education format, hours will total 162)
- Prerequisite
- GEOG 10 with a grade of C or higher, or demonstrated GIS experience
- Transfers to
- CSU
This course covers GIS for investigating geographic patterns, relationships and connections. Spatial analysis methods are employed for both raster and vector data. Emphasis is on problem-solving and decision making using GIS. Models and scripts for automating GIS processes also undertaken. This course may be offered in a distance education format.
GEOG-14 GIS Cartography and Visualization
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 36 lecture/54 lab total (when offered in the distance education format, hours will total 162)
- Prerequisite
- GEOG 10 with a grade of C or higher, or demonstrated GIS experience
- Transfers to
- CSU
This course covers fundamental concepts of cartography and visualization using geographic information systems (GIS). Students employ design principles to create effective maps, incorporating data from a variety of formats. Hardcopy and web maps are produced. Animations, 3D maps, and other visualization techniques are explored. This course may be offered in a distance education format.
GEOG-15 Introduction to Remote Sensing
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 36 lecture/54 lab total (when offered in the distance education format, hours will total 162)
- Prerequisite
- GEOG 10 with a grade of C or higher, or demonstrated experience with maps, geospatial fundamentals and ArcGIS software
- Transfers to
- CSU
This course covers remote sensing fundamentals as they apply to mapping of Earth's surface and features. Electromagnetic radiation of both visible and non-visible light is the foundation for image enhancement, classification and quantitative techniques. These techniques will be applied to imagery, of differing resolution, from a variety of sources. Particular attention is given to visual display imagery and with the integration of imagery with GIS datasets. Light Detecting and Ranging (LiDaR) is processed for elevation and land cover. This course may be offered in a distance education format.
GEOG-25 GIS Projects
- Units
- 1
- Hours
- 9 lecture/27 lab total (when offered in the distance education format, hours will total 54)
- Advisory
- GEOG 10 with a grade of C or higher, or working GIS experience
- Formerly
- GIS 25
- Transfers to
- CSU
This course focuses on the use of geographic information systems (GIS) for projects and particular applications. Students will learn best practices for the implementation of GIS projects. GIS tasks for data acquisition, database creation, and map design are undertaken to meet the needs of municipal, natural resource, recreation or social service applications. This course may be offered in a distance education format.
GEOG-94 Geographic Information Systems Work Experience Education
- Units
- 1-14
- Hours
- 54-756 Work Experience Education hours
- Formerly
- GIS 94
- Transfers to
- CSU
The Geographic Information Systems(GIS) Work Experience Education course allows the student to gain on-the-job experience through employment/volunteerism at an approved GIS job site that is acquired by the student and related to the student's major. A faculty member supervises all WEE courses to ensure that the work experience is of educational value. The course stresses good work habits and meeting of competencies through actual on-the-job performance. A student may repeat this course since course content varies and skills are enhanced by supervised repetition and practice. A maximum of 14 units may be earned in a single semester.
GEOG-390 GIS for Forest Resilience Project Management
- Units
- 0
- Hours
- 4 lecture/12 lab total (when offered in the distance education format, hours will total 24)
This course is intended to provide practical, applied experience in the use of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to support project management for forest and wildfire resilience. Federal, state and regional entities are mobilized to address the wildfire crisis, and GIS training is an unmet need. This course has been developed in consultation with industry partners. This course may be offered in distance education format.