Geography
12 courses · Chabot College · 2026-2027 Catalog
Classes: Summer 2026 · Fall 2026
GEO 1 Introduction to Physical Geography
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 Lecture
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
This course is a spatial study of the Earth’s dynamic physical systems and processes. Topics include: Earth-sun geometry, weather, climate, water, landforms, soil, and the biosphere. Emphasis is on the interrelationships among environmental and human systems and processes and their resulting patterns and distributions. Tools of geographic inquiry are also briefly covered; they may include: maps, remote sensing, Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and Global Positioning Systems (GPS).
GEO 1L Introduction to Physical Geography Laboratory
- Units
- 1
- Hours
- 54 Lab
- Prerequisite
- GEO 1 may be taken concurrently
- Transfers to
- CSU
Application of the concepts, techniques, tools, and materials of physical geography. Practical exercises, experiments, observations, data analyses, and computer applications/simulations which augment understanding of geographic processes, interrelationships, spatial patterns and distributions. Use of maps, remotely-sensed imagery, and geographic information systems. Includes locational reference systems, time-space relationships, weather, climate, soils, vegetation, and landforms. Field trips/field projects may be included.
GEO 2 Cultural Geography
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 Lecture
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
Spatial analysis of human populations, their cultural traits, activities, and interactions with the environment. Emphasis on how diverse peoples, through their interactions and through their perceptions of the environment, create distinctive cultural landscapes. Social, political, economic, physical and environmental elements of geography contribute to the evolution of these global and regional cultural patterns. Field trips may be included.
GEO 3 Economic Geography
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 Lecture
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
An introduction to the world’s major economic systems; their spatial distribution and characteristics; their relative contributions to regional development, environmental impact and global change; and related movements of people, goods, and ideas. Techniques and tools of spatial analysis applied to human-environment interactions, with emphasis on ecological problems associated with specific economic activities. Field trips may be included.
GEO 5 World Regional Geography
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 Lecture
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
Regions of the world and the way humans live within those regions. Includes physical, environmental, and cultural characteristics of world regions, how they are similar and how they are different, economic patterns, agriculture, industrial development, human-environment interactions, and population dynamics. Emphasis on contemporary major issues and their geographic impact.
GEO 8 Introduction to Weather and Climate
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 Lecture
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
Introduction to weather and climate and their impact on and modification by human activities. Emphasis on weather elements, events, and processes; climate controls; and the techniques, tools, and instruments of atmospheric science. Includes atmospheric optics, weather prediction, severe storms, air pollution, global/regional warming/cooling, ozone depletion, acid rain, El Niño, deforestation, desertification, and other topics related to everyday experience and global climate change. Field trips and observational activities may be included.
GEO 10 Global Environmental Solutions
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 Lecture
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
Exploration of sustainable solutions to major global environmental issues with emphasis on a multidisciplinary approach. Essential concepts include an introduction to the causes of environmental change, including ecosystem processes, the history of human population growth and demand for natural resources, fossil fuel consumption, land use change, and pollution sources, followed by an exploration of the current and future solutions to these problems. Economic and public policy issues pertaining to the sustainability of the environment and discussion of the dynamics of participation and leadership in promoting improved stewardship of the environment will also be included.
GEO 12 Geography of California
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 Lecture
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
California’s physical (environmental), cultural, and regional elements. The physical (environmental) geographic base includes: location, geologic history, geomorphic provinces, natural hazards and resources, climate, water resources, vegetation, and soils. Historically developed cultural themes include: Native American and Hispanic origins, migration patterns, settlements, population growth, ethnic diversity, land use, economic activities, and Pacific Rim connections. Human-environment interactions and issues are considered throughout the course. Field trips may be included.
GEO 13 Climate Studies
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 Lecture
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
Climate Science is a rapidly evolving interdisciplinary field focused on the principles that govern climate, climate variability, and climate change with their implications for society. Elements of the climate system, atmospheric events and processes; factors controlling Earth’s climate types, climate classification, and contemporary technological tools and instrumentation used in atmospheric science. Examination of the climate record, paleoclimates, and climate modeling and forecasting. Real-world investigations of climate change issues through observation, prediction, data analysis, and critical thinking. Emphasis on the influence of human activities on climate change, trends in global and regional climate change, and both the scientific basis and policy implications of air pollution, global warming, ozone depletion, acid rain, deforestation, and urbanization. The economic, social, and political environment that interacts with the everyday experience and potential threats of global climate change. Field trips and observational activities may be included.
GEO 20 Introduction to Geographic Information Systems
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 Lecture
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
Computer-based information technology tools and techniques that analyze spatial relationships between locations and attributes of physical, cultural, and economic features. Visualization of geographic relationships to support decision-making through interactive linkages of maps, databases, images, and charts. Introduction to GIS theory, principles, concepts, applications, and operations. Field trips may be required.
GEO 21 Spatial Analysis with GIS
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 Lecture
- Prerequisite
- GEO 20
- Transfers to
- CSU
GIS facilitates visualization of spatial relationships and decision-making by means of interactive linkages between vector and raster data formats. Addresses real-world application of GIS principles, industry-standard software tools and quantitative techniques to multi-layered thematic data. Students will acquire advanced hands-on GIS experience in managing, editing, merging, intersecting, and statistically analyzing spatial data from many diverse sources, and in preparing high-quality cartographic presentations. Field trips may be required.
GEO 22 Advanced GIS Applications
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 Lecture
- Prerequisite
- GEO 20
- Transfers to
- CSU
Practical, hands-on survey of some of the more advanced applications of GIS, integrating vector, grid, and digital image data formats. Emphasizes environmental applications of GIS industry-standard software tools to analyze spatial problems quantitatively, including network analysis, watershed modeling, digital elevation modeling, digital image processing, and digital rectification of multi-layered thematic data. Includes integration of Global Positioning System (GPS) operational characteristics, collection and interfacing GPS data with GIS. Field trips may be required.