Apr 03, 2026  
2026-2027 Catalog (BETA) Cal State East Bay 
    
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2026-2027 Catalog (BETA) Cal State East Bay

Geography, B.S.

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Delivery Formats Available: Face to Face

Geography, B.S. Program (120 units)

Program Description

The Department of Earth, Environmental and Sustainability Sciences offers a suite of four undergraduate majors. The Geography Bachelor of Science (B.S.) program focuses on the study of spatial distributions, relations, processes and outcomes within the human-environment system. Attention is centered on historical and contemporary human activities in the natural and built environment, and on people as the major physical, social, cultural and economic change agents across the Earth’s surface. A curriculum in Geography helps students understand the world’s physical, social, economic and cultural landscapes and how they have been transformed or altered by either the Earth’s natural processes or human modifications, and the future sustainability of our current actions in the light of our past experiences and ongoing trends such as urbanization, globalization and climate change.

At Cal State East Bay, Geography BS students can relatively easily dovetail into second majors, minors or certificate programs especially in At Cal State East Bay, Geography BS students can relatively easily dovetail into second majors, minors or certificate programs especially in Environmental Studies (BA and minor) and the Certificate in GIS and Remote Sensing and to study abroad for a semester or year. A BS in Geography provides a valuable multi-perspective education of vital importance in this age of globalization and cumulative environmental change, a period that many scientists are labeling the “Anthropocene”. Graduates are primed to enter multiple professional fields or go on to a range of graduate programs related to environmental and resource management, planning and administration, sustainable development, and spatial data analysis. The major requires 44-45 units, 15 lower division and 29-30 upper division depending on the courses chosen for the pathway.   The lower division portion aligns with the California Community College transfer Associate of Arts degree in Geography.

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates with a B.S. degree in Geography should be able to:

  1. Synthesize geographic knowledge, apply research strategies and use quantitative tools to solve problems of a geographic nature and relevant to a changing world (e.g. in resource management, spatial analysis, environmental change, and sustainable development).
  2. Identify and communicate key geographical processes, ideas, concepts and outcomes orally, in writing, and through the use of geographical information systems (GIS) and other spatial representations.
  3. Identify, describe and explain the environmental, social, cultural, economic and other key characteristics and dynamics in different geographic contexts.
  4. Demonstrate effective teamwork ability by contributing to successful execution of group projects in the classroom, GIS laboratory and/or in the field.
  5. Identify, describe and explain how local, regional and global environmental, human societal, and economic processes and their outcomes are related to sustainable development.

Program Roadmaps

Program roadmaps represent recommended pathways through the program. Please see an advisor to create an education plan that is customized to meet your needs.

 

4-Year Freshmen Roadmaps

 

2-Year ADT Roadmaps

Career Opportunities

Career opportunities are highly diverse, depending on the student’s interests and skills and new opportunities are rapidly emerging and expanding. Our graduates work in all sectors: governmental, non-profit, private, and education in areas such as environmental management, urban and rural planning, public utility services (water, energy, waste, etc.), outdoor recreation and administration (parks and recreation), local government, humanitarian and development assistance, sustainable food systems, education, and the application of geographical and other spatial information systems in the private and public sectors. Our students pursue graduate degrees in many fields including geography, urban and regional planning, environmental science, sustainability, geographical information systems, and other related disciplines.

Job titles include, but are not limited to:

Aerial Photo Interpreter • Agricultural/Food Systems Specialist • Cartographer • Census Analyst • Climatologist • Community Development Specialist • Demographer • Development Specialist • Ecologist • Economic Development Analyst • Environmental Analyst/Planner • Environmental Compliance Officer • Geographical Information Systems Specialist • Map Curator • Natural Resources Manager • Park Ranger • Public Utility Administrator • Recreational Resource Planner • Resiliency Officer • Soil Conservationist • Sustainability Compliance Officer • Sustainability Coordinator • Transportation Planner • Urban Geographer • Utility Manager • Water Conservationist/Manager • Zoning Specialist/Surveyor

Degree Requirements Unit-Outline

  • A baccalaureate of arts degree requires a total of 120 units:
    • The major requirements consist of 44-45 units;
    • General Education (GE) & Graduation Requirements (GR) consist of 52 units;
    • Free Electives may consist of 23-24 units (actual number of free elective units may depend on GE/GR units).

Note: It may be possible to double-count units within the graduation requirements or that a course may satisfy both a graduation requirement and a major requirement. Students should contact their program advisors for information.

Geography Major Requirements (44-45 units)

Lower Division Core (15 units)

Take all of the following five (5) courses for 15 units:

Upper Division Core (14 units)

Take all of the following five (5) upper-division core courses for 14 units:

Upper Division Electives (12-13 units)

Complete a total of four (4) elective courses for 12-13 units:

Capstone Requirement (3 units)

The following capstone experience, for 3 units, is required to complete the major:

Other Undergraduate Degree Requirements

In addition to major requirements, every student must also complete the University’s baccalaureate requirements for graduation, which are described in the Undergrad Baccalaureate & Program Requirements  chapter of this catalog. 

Department Courses Listed by Course Type

Earth, Environmental, and Sustainability Sciences Courses

Department of Earth, Environmental and Sustainability Sciences

Go to information for this department.

Courses

Earth, Environmental & Sus Sci

Earth, Environmental & Sus Sci: Graduate

 

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