Department of Geography and Human Environmental Studies at San Francisco State University
 
 
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  Focus on the Physical Environment
This option offers the chance to learn about physical geography and the interactions between the physical and human environments. Courses cover a range of subfields - geomorphology, climatology, soils, biogeography, and water resources - and offer both physical and resource perspectives.
Focus:
A minimum of 12 units from the following
  • Geog 312: Geography of Landforms
  • Geog 313: Weather and Climate
  • Geog 314: Regional Climatology
  • Geog 316: Biogeography
  • Geog 317: Geography of Soils
  • Geog 647: Geography of Water Resources
  • Geog 685: Field Methods in Geography

An upper division techniques course to supplement the distribution requirement is also recommended. For example, a student wishing to pursue methods of studying biogeographical (or other) distributions might find courses in Remote Sensing (Geog 610 & 611) valuable. Intoduction to Geographic Field Analysis (Geog 603), Quantitative Methods (Geog 605) and Geographic Information Systems (Geog 620 & 621) are valuable tools for analyzing any geographic research question; and, since maps are critical to any geographic study, knowledge of the skills of Cartography (Geog 606 and 607) will be valuable to a wide range of students.

In addition, Geog 688 a Geographic Internship is recommended. Internships with various agencies and environmental groups can familiarize you with entry-level positions. Past internships have included the following: Student Conservation Association, U.S. Forest Service, National Park Service, Calif. State Parks, U.S. Geological Survey, Greenbelt Alliance, California Coastal Commission. Many internships require training in one or more geographic techniques.

Courses in other departments on individual advisement:
Courses in the physical and biological sciences are often highly beneficial to the student wishing to specialize in one or more sub fields of the physical environment. Suggested course areas depend upon the specialization you desire.

Employment:
Depending upon your area of specialization, there are opportunities in a variety of businesses, agencies and organizations at the national, state and local level. Graduates have gone on to work for various recreational, water resource, and coastal resource agencies. In recent years, there has been an increase in job opportunities for geographers; especially those who couple their systematic training with skills in geographic techniques.

Focus Advisors:
Jerry Davis
office: HSS 273
tel : 415.338.2983
email: jerry@sfsu.edu
More Information...

Barbara Holzman
office: HSS 267
tel: 415.338.7506
email: bholzman@sfsu.edu
More Information...

Andrew Oliphant
office: HSS 273
tel: 415.405.2143
email: andrewo@sfsu.edu
More Information..


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