Geography
6 courses · Napa Valley College · 2026-2027 Catalog
Classes: Fall 2026 · Spring 2027
GEOG-101 World Regional Geography
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 hours lecture; 54 hours total
- Advisory
- Eligibility for ENGL-C1000 or appropriate placement.
- Transfers to
- UC, CSU
Survey of the world's culture regions and nations as interpreted by geographers, including physical, cultural, and economic features. Emphasis on spatial and historical influences on population growth, transportation networks, and natural environments. Identification and importance of significant features of regions.
GEOG-110 Physical Geography
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 hours lecture; 54 hours total
- Transfers to
- UC, CSU
A basic geography course emphasizing physical elements of the human environment. The course includes earth-sun relationships, maps, global time, land forms, oceans, soils, natural vegetation, weather, and climatic regions of the world.
GEOG-120 Introduction to Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 36 hours lecture; 54 hours lab; 90 hours total
- Transfers to
- CSU
Fundamental study of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and its applications to spatial data management. Introduces identification and acquisition of GIS data, assessment of vector and raster systems, scale, resolution, map projection, coordinate systems, georeferencing and Global Positioning Systems (GPS), spatial analysis and modeling with GIS project to apply skills and build a map portfolio.
GEOG-121 Intermediate Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 36 hours lecture; 54 hours lab; 90 hours total
- Prerequisite
- Completion of GEOG-120 with a minimum grade of C.
- Transfers to
- CSU
Intermediate Geographic Information Systems builds upon the knowledge and skills learned in GEOG-120. Students develop more advanced analysis skills in GIS software. Reinforces practical applications and geographic concepts and techniques related to a Geographic Information System (GIS), including geographic coordinate systems, raster data processing and management, spatial databases, geoprocessing, digitizing various types of spatial analysis. Students learn how to implement techniques through completion of practical exercises.
GEOG-130 Data Acquisition and Management in Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 hours lecture; 54 hours total
- Prerequisite
- Completion of GEOG-121 with a minimum grade of C.
- Transfers to
- CSU
Introduces variety of data formats used in Geographic Information Systems (GIS), and the concepts of data collection and data management in geospatial analysis. Examines quantitative techniques for collection, classification, management of geographical data, and publication of geospatial services.
GEOG-131 Remote Sensing
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 hours lecture; 54 hours total
- Prerequisite
- Completion of GEOG-120 with a minimum grade of C.
- Advisory
- Completion of GEOG-121 with a minimum grade of C.
- Transfers to
- CSU
Introduction to remote sensing of the Earth. Content includes physical principles on which remote sensing is based, history and future trends, sensors and their characteristics, image data sources, and image classification, interpretation and analysis techniques. An end of semester project will allow students to apply learned skills. Course material used are based upon the United States Department of Labor's Geospatial Technology Competency Model (GCTM).