College of Science & Engineering
Geographers study physical and biological environments, human societies, and their spatial interactions, and utilize both environmental science and social science perspectives. Geographers seek to analyze the processes, spatial patterns, and consequences of human-environment interaction and address issues of sustainability, using maps, fieldwork, and geospatial technologies such as GIS to solve real-world problems.
There are lots of field trips and field experiences in this major. There is a student group, three annual scholarships and an inclusive and engaged student community.
Access the list of the major requirements to better understand the structure of the major.
The roadmap puts all of your graduation requirements into an easy-to-follow semester-by-semester plan so you know what to take to stay on track. Whether you are a freshman or a transfer student, you'll be able to find a roadmap that best fits you.
Besides your major requirements, students must complete their GE and University requirements. Be sure to make sure you've completed all of these requirements for graduation.
To learn more about this major, check out the major department’s website below. You can also find out how you can access their faculty advisors who can assist you not just with course choices, but also answer questions about the field and discuss your career plans.
Department of Geography & Environment
HSS Building, Room 279
Phone: (415) 338-2049
Email: geog@sfsu.edu
Website: https://geog.sfsu.edu/
Chair: Andrew Oliphant
Freshmen Student Advising Information
After choosing “Basic Subjects” GE courses in Steps 1-3 of your Orientation process (if you haven’t done so, log onto your Orientation Profile page to follow the “Pre-Orientation Advising Module”), STEP 4 Choosing Major Classes will show you if there are any classes you can take to satisfy major requirements for your first and/or second semester.
Once you have determined your Roadmap above, review the first section below and write down any course recommendations based on your corresponding major roadmap on your Freshmen Class Planner worksheet.
First Semester Course Recommendations — Roadmaps A, B, C & D
|
Major Class & Title |
Units |
Other Requirement Area(s) Met |
|
No first semester classes available. |
|
|
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If there are any course(s) listed above, please enter this information onto “Step 4” of your Freshmen Class Planner. |
Advisor Footnotes:
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#1 Students should consider taking their A2, B4, and other GE requirements on their Freshmen Class Planner.
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If any of the courses listed in this section are FULL by the time you are to enroll, consider choosing more General Education courses to build up your schedule.
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There are no other alternate courses for this major.
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If more units are needed, consider General Education courses from the areas suggested in the "GE Area Recommendations" section below.
Once you have made your course choices for Steps 1-4, you may already have between 12-15 units chosen for your first semester—about 4 to 5 classes.
If more units are needed, you will proceed to "Step 5 - Choosing GE Courses" from your Orientation Advising Module after considering the following recommendations...
|
GE Area |
Advisor Notes |
|
A1 Oral Communication |
Covered in “Step 3” on Class Planner |
|
A2 Written English Communication |
Covered in “Step 1” on Class Planner |
|
A3 Critical Thinking |
Covered in “Step 3” on Class Planner |
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B1 Physical Science |
Consider taking a B3 Lab if chosen |
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B2 Life Science |
Consider taking a B3 Lab if chosen |
|
B3 Laboratory Science |
Make sure this includes a LEC component if chosen |
|
B4 Quantitative Reasoning |
Covered in “Step 2” on Class Planner |
|
C1 Arts |
There are major courses for this area |
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C2 Humanities |
There are major courses for this area |
|
D Social Sciences |
There are major courses for this area |
|
D US History |
There are major courses for this area |
|
E Lifelong Learning & Self-Development (LLD) |
Covered in “Step 1” on Class Planner |
|
F Ethnic Studies |
There are major courses for this area |
|
US/CA Government |
Choose any |
Geog102 = AP Human Geography score = 3.
Geographers can be found in a wide range of government, non-profit, education and for-profit consulting fields.
Transfer Student Advising Information
Please see the box above labeled “Major Curriculum/Roadmaps & GE/University Requirements” for information on what courses to take in your first semester at SF State. View our Frequently Asked Questions for Transfers for helpful tips and additional information.