Page 226 of San José State University Fall 2006 - Spring 2008 Catalog by San José State University

226 Geography Department College of Social Sciences Washington Square 118 408-924-5475 (Voice) 408-924-5477 (Fax) geograph@email.sjsu.edu http://www.sjsu.edu/depts/geography Professors David M. Helgren, Interim Dean Associate Professors Richard A. Taketa Assistant Professors Kathryn Davis Gary Pereira Adjunct Professors Lee Johnson Steven Klooster Brad Lobitz Jean Palmer-Moloney Cynthia Schmidt Curricula BA, Geography Minor, Geography Minor, Geographic Information Science MA, Geography Certificate, Geographic Information Science G eography is for explorers, whether their discoveries are a world away or just next door. Our goal is to make sense of how people and the worlds environments interact to build the landscapes where we learn, work and play. Geographers analyze the world with broad and integrative methods, often linking data from the social sciences, natural sciences and humanities. Geography is the way to understand locations, places, and regions. It is the way to interpret both the worlds incredible diversity and its repetitive similarities. Geographers love maps. Much of geography centers on learning from maps and communicating with maps. Whether a sketch on a napkin or a computer-driven Geographic Information System (GIS), maps tell of locations and regions, routes and pathways, and the directions to both the past and the future. Modern geography, at the junction of globalism, environmentalism and the innovations in electronic communications technologies, is both exciting and rewarding. The undergraduate and graduate programs in geography at San Jos State University focus on the analysis of geographical processes and problems. Prospective students are encouraged to consult the geography website (www.sjsu.edu/depts/geography) as well as the informational brochures available in the department office (WSQ 118.) Undergraduate Program in Geography Undergraduate majors complete a set of core courses that provide a common foundation in geographic analysis. Then the student selects one of three emphases for further study to complete the degree. Geographic Information Science provides training in collecting, organizing, analyzing and presenting geographic data. Geographic information is acquired from field study, digital databases, aerial photos and satellite imagery; it is organized and analyzed in map form and in geographic databases; and it is presented in both traditional and animated mapping media. Graduates find employment in government agencies, the electronic communications industries and GIS development companies. Students are prepared for professional work as cartographers, GIS application developers and remote sensing analysts. The courses in support of this emphasis build a background in computer applications and computer programming as well. Global Analysis examines global and interregional connections and diversity in both human and environmental systems. Graduates find work in multinational corporations, international development agencies and in positions such as international marketing, population, foreign policy analyst or agricultural forecaster. Global geography students take a program of both regional and thematic courses, such as Latin American, U.S., Eastern and Southern Asia, and Europe. Thematically we explore such issues as conflict, nationalism, globalization and population as well as a broad range of additional themes. Urban Analysis is the study of the economic, social, political, and environmental patterning of cities and urban regions. Graduates specializing in this area find employment with consulting companies, real estate companies and local and regional planning agencies. Possible careers include urban planner and location analyst. The courses supporting this emphasis build a comprehensive understanding of metropolitan issues, particularly as these apply to San Jose and Silicon Valley. The MA Program in Geography focuses on geographic information science. Students specialize in geographic information systems development (including design of databases, algorithms, and application software), cartographic visualization (including design of dynamic and interactive mapping systems, especially integrated with GIS), or remote sensing (including analysis of satellite and aerial images, image processing, and environmental analysis). Geography classes encourage frequent faculty-student interaction. Courses are scheduled at convenient times. The Geography Department maintains laboratories for work in GIS, computer cartography and analysis of air photos and satellite images. Facilities include a range of workstations as well as printers and scanners for production-quality work. Geography students have the opportunity to participate in faculty research projects as well as exciting study abroad programs. All students are assigned an academic advisor, who guides the student in selecting courses and assists the student in meeting the requirements of the university and department. Students are encouraged to maintain close contact with their advisor since the shared goal is successful completion of degree requirements in a reasonable amount of time. The Geography Department has links to companies and government agencies throughout Silicon Valley, which includes one of the worlds greatest concentration of firms building GIS hardware, software and custom applications. Career opportunities in geography have never been better. The Geography Department also has formal links to the earth environmental remote sensing program at NASA-Ames and the Metropolitan Technology Center at Moffett Field. Internship opportunities for geography majors are extraordinary. The department receives requests for interns from the many firms in the growing GIS industry. In addition students find internships in an assortment of government agencies. Geography students are also encouraged to work with the Laboratory for Geographic Education. The laboratory helps present and future teachers use geography as an integrative tool in all aspects of kindergarten through 12th grade education. Programs include pre-service and in-service workshops and presentations, as well as consultation with students, teachers and administrators on specific instructional needs. This laboratory is a research and outreach unit of the Geography Department.

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