Geography

Degree Type: Associate of Arts Degree, AA

Pathway: Science, Engineering and Math

More Options: Classroom Based, Remote Real-Time, Online

Program Length: 4 Semesters

Location: Centennial, Rampart Range, Downtown Studio

Transferability: Transferable, Guaranteed Transfer (GT)

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The Geography Department is Excited to Announce 2 New Courses for FALL 2023!

Check out these brand new Geography courses for Fall 2023.

GEO 1060 | Global Climate Change

GEO 1060 Global Climate Change Is a 3-credit SC2 (one of few SC2 offerings). GEO 1060 is a TERRIFIC course, and unique in that it addresses the science of climate change while exploring the interrelationships among economy, society, public policy, as well as mitigation efforts. This can be an opportunity for students who consider themselves weak or disinterested in the sciences but who have 7 Natural and Physical Science credits to fulfill. OR for students concerned about the challenges that climate change could bring. For Fall 2023, GEO 1060 is offered Mondays 9:00-11:30 at Centennial and will be taught by retired Air Force meteorologist, Jennifer Winslow.

GEO 2010: Careers & Research in the GeoSciences

GEO 2010: Careers & Research in the GeoSciences is a 1-credit elective. GEO 2010 provides an excellent opportunity for science folks who are yet unsure of their particular science path to gain a clearer picture of the GEOSciences and what this broad discipline encompasses. The course dives into research, research tools, and techniques while exploring internship opportunities, 4-year university programs, and career options (coupled with resume building and application skills). This is a 1-credit, REMOTE SYNCHRONOUS/VIRTUAL REMOTE elective offered Wednesdays 1:00-1:50pm. GEO Department Chair, Amy Filipiak, will teach this course.

Why Choose Geography at PPSC?

Geography impacts every facet of our daily lives. Students studying geography at PPSC have the opportunity to explore both the physical and cultural elements that define and impact humans and the planet. Students learn from experienced instructors who have worked in the field, traveled abroad, and conducted important research.

Geography is an engaging discipline of questioning, challenging, exploring, investigating, and examining the human place in our cultural and physical world. As we increasingly face opportunities and challenges at both the local and global level, geography offers both breadth of interdisciplinary knowledge as well as the depth and specialization needed to address issues that matter.

With a background in geography, you can pursue a wide variety careers areas such as water management, resource conservation, community planning, historic preservation, disaster preparedness, climate change research, cartography, teaching, and many more.

What do PPSC Geography students study?
As a PPSC geography student, you will explore the earth’s surface features and climate as well as the ways humans are distributed and how they interact with their environment. This program delves into all aspects of the physical and cultural landscape, and seeks to ask and answer questions such as:

How did the various mountain ranges form?
What factors make natural disasters particularly destructive?
Is climate change human-caused?
How do historical ethnic conflicts relate to geography?
Where is the link between fires and increased flood risks?
Which foods have the least impact on the environment?
How do religious beliefs and political systems relate to geography?

Geography Classes You Might Take

Studying geography offers a variety of sub-topics. Check out some of the classes you may take at PPSC.

GEO 1005 | World Regional Geography

Examines the spatial distribution of environmental and societal phenomena in the world’s regions. Environmental phenomena includes topography, climate, and natural resources. Societal phenomena includes patterns of population and settlement, religion, ethnicity, language, and economic development. This course also analyzes the characteristics that define world regions and distinguishes them from each other. This course examines the relationships between physical environments and human societies, and examines globalization, emphasizing the geopolitical and economic relationships between more developed and less developed regions.

GEO 1006 | Human Geography

Introduces geographic perspectives and methods in the study of human societies by examining the spatial characteristics of populations, language, religion, ethnicity, politics, and economics. This course examines the relationships between physical environments and human societies.

GEO 1011 | Physical Geography: Landforms with Lab

Examines the principles of Earth’s physical processes, emphasizing landforms, soils, and hydrology. Examines the formation and distribution of landforms, such as mountains, valleys, and deserts, and their shaping by fluvial and other processes.

GEO 1012 | Physical Geography: Weather, Climate, & Ecosystems with Lab

Introduces the principles of meteorology, climatology, ecology, and regional climate classification. The course investigates the geographic factors which influence climate and ecosystems such as topography, elevation, winds, ocean currents, and latitude.

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Voces de PPSC

Voices of PPSC

The professors here really work with you and all the staff are really kind.

Angelez Anderson
General Studies Major | Future Transfer Student

Program Learning Outcomes

Use information to describe a problem or issue and/or articulate a question related to the topic
Evaluate the relevance of context when presenting a position and identify assumptions
Establish a conclusion that is tied to the range of information presented
Reflect on implications and consequences of stated conclusion
Demonstrate how their own attitudes, behaviors, or beliefs compare or relate to those of other individuals, groups, communities, or cultures
Examine diverse perspectives when investigating social and behavioral topics within natural or human systems
Make connections between the worldviews, power structures, and experiences of individuals, groups, communities, or cultures, in historical or contemporary contexts

Explain the reciprocal relationships between physical and human systems
Acquire, process, and report information from a spatial perspective using maps and other geographic tools
Describe how culture and experience influence people's perceptions of places and regions
Explain the processes, patterns, functions, and impacts of human populations at the local and global scales, to include economic, political, and environmental factors
Describe the physical processes that shape the patterns of earth's surface and the spatial distribution of its ecosystems
Develop critical thinking skills
Build awareness of issues related to diversity and globalization
Cultivate techniques that expand their quantitative literacy
Learn to effectively apply inquiry and analysis methods.

1st semester plan

math & english requirements

1st semester plan

GEO 1005 - World Regional Geography (3)
ENG 1021 - English Composition 1: CO1 (3)
Natural and Physical Sciences (4) - One GT Natural and Physical Science courses from GT-SC1 or GT-SC2: Recommend MET 1050, ENV 1111, ANT 1005, AST 1110, GEY 1112
Art and Humanities (3) - One GT Arts & Humanities courses from AH1, AH2, AH3, or AH4: Recommend ART 1110, ART 1111, HUM 1015, MUS 1020, THE 1005
AA approved elective (3) - selected from the AA approved course list. Recommend ENV 1010, COM 1250, HIS 1310, ECO 2001

Total 16 Credit Hours

math & english requirements

Student should place into or above MAT 1260 or MAT 1340

Student should place into or above ENG 1021

Geography Student Testimonials

Testimonials from our Students

"(My geography instructor’s) knowledge of the subject matter, as well as real world experience within her particular field, made her classroom extremely interesting and a fertile learning environment."
"(My geography instructor) is the best science teacher I've ever had. She breaks down subject matter in ways that make concepts easier to understand, and therefore enjoyable. I found myself sharing new weather knowledge with friends and family. When (my instructor) overheard me mention my math woes, she offered to help in math as well. Yep, she's awesome."
"(My geography instructor) created an environment that allowed us to do our own research and present it to the class. Having the ability to research, teach, and learn from other classmates allowed growth for everyone involved. She was always helpful by clarifying or addressing any information that needed special emphasis."
"(My geography instructor) was able to bring a tremendous amount of professional experience from her position as a cartographer for the military into the classroom. Her experience and insight were extremely motivating and inspirational."
"(My geography instructor) has a serious passion for her subject, which for me, translated even through an online course. I felt confident in learning from her but also felt that I was in control of my own fate when learning. This gave me the freedom to learn my way, while still compiling a large amount of information from the course due to the way she arranged it."

Geography

Geography

Spring 2024 registration opens October 30