Quick Facts
Degree Transfer Degree
Areas of Study Earth Sciences

Geography AA-T Degree

This degree is designed to prepare students for a seamless transfer into the CSU system to complete a bachelor’s degree in Geography or a similar major.

Associate in Arts for Transfer | SC Program: AA-T.4002

The field of geography is rooted in the universal curiosity about the world around us, and the differences that occur from place to place.  Shasta College's Geography Department offers students the opportunity to develop an understanding and appreciation of our complex world.

Geography is the study of Earth’s environments and how humans interact with them. Subject matter in the physical, biological, and social sciences is investigated in order to develop an understanding of our complex world. Students explore challenges and solutions to environmental change, resource use, urbanization, migration, conflict, and sustainability. Students are exposed to a range of geographic methods including field observation, research, map reading, and geospatial technologies.

The Associate in Arts in Geography for Transfer degree is designed to prepare students for a seamless transfer into the CSU system to complete a baccalaureate degree in Geography or a similar major.

Choose your path

Map your education by viewing the program map for the degree or certificate you’re interested in earning below. Meet with a counselor to create your official comprehensive education plan.

A program map shows all the required and recommended courses you need to graduate and a suggested order in which you should take them. The suggested sequence of courses is based on enrollment and includes all major and general education courses required for the degree.

Fall Semester, First Year

15 Units Total
ENGL 1A
GE 4
College Composition
ENGL 1A
Units 4
Note: For students who would benefit from further instruction and individual support while taking their first college-transfer level English course, ENGL 1AX is a recommended alternative to ENGL 1A.

This course develops the reading, critical thinking, and writing skills necessary for academic success, emphasizing expository and argumentative writing as well as research and documentation skills. As a transferable course, it presupposes that students already have a substantial grasp of grammar, syntax, and organization, and that their writing is reasonably free from errors. A research paper is required for successful completion of the course. This course may be offered in a distance education format.
Alternative Courses
  • XCSU A2 CSU Category A2: Written Communication
  • IGETC 1A IGETC Area 1 - English Communication (Group A)
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MATH 14
GE 4
Introduction to Statistics
MATH 14
Units 4
This course is an introductory course in statistics designed to show the role of modern statistical methods in the process of decision making. Concepts are introduced by example rather than by rigorous mathematical theory. The following topics will be covered: measures of central tendency and dispersion, regression and correlation, probability, sampling distributions including the normal, t, and chi-square, statistical inference using confidence intervals and hypotheses testing. This course may be offered in a distance education format.
Alternative Courses
  • IGETC 2 IGETC Area 2 - Mathematical Concepts and Quantitative Reasoning
  • XCSU B4 Csu Category B4
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HIST 2
GE 3
World Civilization to 1500 C.E.
HIST 2
Units 3
Advisory: Essay-writing skills and eligibility to enroll in a transfer-level English Composition course, or English Placement Level 6 or higher

This course is a comparative survey of the major ancient world civilizations which developed between 3500 B.C.E. and 1500 C.E. It examines political institutions, religious ideologies, the rise and fall of empires, and the major cultural innovations of each of the major world civilizations. This course may be offered in a distance education format.
Alternative Courses
  • IGETC 3B IGETC Area 3 - Arts and Humanities (3B – Humanities)
  • XCSU C2 Csu Category C2
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GEOG 1A
M 3
Physical Geography
GEOG 1A
Units 3
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.
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GEOG 1AL
M Lab 1
Physical Geography Lab
GEOG 1AL
Units 1
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.
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Spring Semester, First Year

15 Units Total
ENGL 1C
Pre. GE 3
Critical Reasoning, Reading, and Writing
ENGL 1C
Units 3
This course focuses on critical thinking skills, close textual analysis, and expository and argumentative writing. Students apply critical thinking skills in reading non-fiction and fiction, and in writing essays of definition, cause/effect analysis, argumentation, refutation, and advocacy. Students will learn to use research strategies in analyzing others' ideas and supporting their own. This course may be offered in a distance education format.
Prerequisite Courses
  • ENGL 1A College Composition
Alternative Courses
  • IGETC 1B IGETC Area 1 - English Communication (Group B)
  • XCSU A3.O2 Csu Category A3
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CMST 60
GE 3
Public Speaking
CMST 60
Units 3
This course is an introduction to the process of human communication with an emphasis on public speaking. The subjects covered are speech topic selection, audience analysis, information competency (e.g. researching, evaluating, and using supporting materials), presentation outlining, principles of effective speech delivery, critical evaluation of speeches, and presentation of informative and persuasive speeches. Most students will have the opportunity to be recorded and to use presentational technology. College-level writing skills will be expected on all papers, outlines, and short essays. This course may be offered in a distance education format.
Alternative Courses
  • XCSU A1 Csu Category A1
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HIST 17A
GE 3
United States History
HIST 17A
Units 3
Advisory: ENGL 1A with a grade of C or higher

This course is a survey of the history of the United States from Pre-Columbian Peoples to the end of Reconstruction. Topics include contact and settlement of America, the movement toward independence, the formation of a new nation and Constitution, westward expansion and manifest destiny, the causes and consequences of the Civil War, and Reconstruction. This course satisfies the CSU requirement for US History (US-1). This course may be offered in a distance education format.
Alternative Courses
  • IGETC 4 IGETC Area 4 - Social and Behavioral Sciences
  • XCSU D Csu Category D
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GEOG 7
M 3
California Geography
GEOG 7
Units 3
Note: Field trip may be required.

This course provides an introduction to California's diversified geography including climate, landforms, natural vegetation, and mineral and water resources. The cultural landscapes of ethnic diversity, our Native American past, urban and agricultural regions, and the economic challenges of the future are also examined. California Geography examines these topics, their spatial distributions, and their impact on the environment. This course may be offered in a distance education format.
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GEOG 9
M 3
Map and Geospatial Principles
GEOG 9
Units 3
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.
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Fall Semester, Second Year

15 Units Total
ART 4
GE 3
World Art
ART 4
Units 3
This is a survey of the visual arts of diverse ethnic and indigenous cultures with an emphasis on both historic and contemporary art. Explored are the Americas, Africa, and the Pacific Islands. Lectures are focused on the styles, motifs, symbols, rituals and traditions of the cultures by examining their crafts, drawings, sculpture, printmaking and paintings. This course is designed as a Humanities elective, recommended for Art Core Programs, and required for the Art History Concentration. This course may be offered in a distance education format.
Alternative Courses
  • IGETC 3A IGETC Area 3 - Arts and Humanities (3A – Arts)
  • XCSU C1 Csu Category C1
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ETHS 1
GE 3
Introduction to Ethnic Studies
ETHS 1
Units 3
Advisory: Essay-writing skills and eligibility to enroll in a transfer-level English Composition course

This course takes an interdisciplinary approach to the study of race and ethnicity in the United States. It examines social justice movements in relation to ethnic and racial groups in the United States to provide a basis for a better understanding of the socioeconomic, cultural, and political conditions among key social groups including, but not limited to, Native Americans, African Americans, Asian Americans, and Latina/o Americans. This course examines the systemic nature of racial/ethnic oppression through an examination of key concepts including racialization and ethnocentrism, with a specific focus on the persistence of white supremacy. Using an anti-racist framework, the course will examine historical and contemporary social movements dedicated to the decolonization of social institutions, resistance, and social justice. This course may be offered in a distance education format.
Alternative Courses
  • CSU F CSU Category F
  • IGETC 7 IGETC Area 7 - Ethnic Studies
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POLS 2
GE 3
Introduction to American Government
POLS 2
Units 3
Advisory: ENGL 1A or English Placement Level 7 or higher.

This course is an introduction to United States and California government and politics, including their constitutions, political institutions and processes, and political actors. An examination of political behavior, political issues, and public policy, this course satisfies the CSU requirement in U.S. Constitution and California State and local government (US-2 and US-3). This course may be offered in a distance education format.
Alternative Courses
  • IGETC 4 IGETC Area 4 - Social and Behavioral Sciences
  • XCSU D Csu Category D
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HUM 4
GE 3
Humanities Through the Film
HUM 4
Units 3
This course is an examination of the motion picture as an art form. This course offers a concise introduction to the history of film against the broader changes in popular culture since the late nineteenth century. Students will see how elements of film can provide valuable insights into how movies communicate and convey meaning to their audiences using a unique network of techniques. Students will see how film, film genres, and developments within the film industry offer a first-hand look at how specific films illuminate important aspects of philosophical, historical, aesthetic, and social life and analyze how film connects with the larger world. This course may be offered in a distance education format.
Alternative Courses
  • IGETC 3B IGETC Area 3 - Arts and Humanities (3B – Humanities)
  • XCSU C Csu Category C
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GEOG 5
M 3
Society, Environment, and GIS
GEOG 5
Units 3
This course will explore the implications that geographic information systems (GIS) have for society and the environment. GIS and other geospatial technologies have transformed industry, government, and non-profit sectors. Students will investigate issues related to society, the environment and geo-politics through the use of these technologies. Equity is a central theme, especially in relation to underserved and marginalized populations, along with those in the Global South. Students will interpret geographic data from a variety of sources, including GPS, satellite imagery and uncrewed aerial systems (UAV). Cloud computing, social media, and surveillance technologies will be considered in terms of social justice, equity, and privacy. This course may be offered in a distance education format.
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Spring Semester, Second Year

15 Units Total
AGNR 60
GE 3
Environmental Science
AGNR 60
Units 3
Advisory: Students who wish to add a lab component to this class should co-enroll in AGNR 61.

This course is an introduction to the conservation or wise use of natural resources and incorporates discussions about the complex relationships of man to the environment. Students will learn about the diverse agencies that manage our resources along with their history and philosophies. The course will cover each of the major natural resources - such as water, air, energy, forests, wildlife, agriculture, and soils - as well as environmental policy and laws that govern the use of these resources. An emphasis is placed on the practical components of Environmental Science as it relates to social and economic aspects of conservation. This course may be offered in a distance education format.
Alternative Courses
  • IGETC 5B IGETC Area 5 - Physical and Biological Sciences (5B – Biological Sciences)
  • XCSU B2 Csu Category B2
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HLTH 1
GE 3
Health and Wellness
HLTH 1
Units 3
This course focuses upon those elements of human behavior which influence the health status of both the individual and the community. Topics include personal fitness, nutrition, sexuality, sexually transmitted diseases, and drug dependence, including alcohol and tobacco. Also included are topics dealing with lifestyle diseases, especially cancer, cardiovascular disease and lung disease. This course may be offered in a distance education format.
Alternative Courses
  • XCSU E Csu Category E
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GEOG 8
M 3
World Regional Geography
GEOG 8
Units 3
This course will introduce students to the world's major geographic regions. This course will increase student awareness of geographic concepts by examining the physical, cultural, economic and political characteristics of the major realms of the world through the unifying concept of the geographic region. This course will illustrate the importance of the world's geographic regions and how they interrelate. The location of important geographic features such as mountain ranges, rivers, countries, and major cities will be an important part of the course. This course may be offered in a distance education format.
Alternative Courses
  • GEOG 1B Human Geography
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GEOG 10
M 3
Intro to Geographic Information Systems
GEOG 10
Units 3
Advisory: A grade of C or higher in CIS 1 or demonstrated computer literacy.

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.
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PHIL 8
Pre. 3
Logic
PHIL 8
Units 3
Advisory: ENGL 1A with a grade of C or higher or English Placement Level 7.

Logic is the science that evaluates arguments. This course introduces principles of reasoning with an emphasis on deductive logic. It will provide students with extensive experience in identifying a range of correct and incorrect argument forms using the tools of formal logic. The course may include a treatment of inductive reasoning and fallacies. This course may be offered in a distance education format.
Prerequisite Courses
  • ENGL 1A College Composition
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60

Total Units

Please see a counselor to discuss options for meeting general education requirements for transfer to California State Universities (CSU) and/or University of California (UC) campuses, as well as any specific additional courses that may be required by your chosen institution of transfer.

*Alternative Courses: Please see a Shasta College counselor for alternative course options. You can also view the following to find other courses to meet degree/certificate requirements:

Need a print out? Feel free to download and/or print out a copy of the sample program map(s).

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Phone (530) 242-7724
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Science, Language Arts & Mathematics (SLAM)

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Fax (530) 225-4668
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Office Hours Monday - Friday | 8:00 am - 5:00 pm

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