Geography and City and Regional Planning

About the Department

Michelle Calvarese, Ph.D. | Professor & Department Chair
2555 E. San Ramon Ave. M/S SB 69, Fresno, CA 93740
Department Phone: (559) 278-2797
Fax: (559) 278-7268
socialsciences.fresnostate.edu/geography/

The world of the 21st century is a place where there are very complex interactions between an increasingly fragile environment and the people who make up the many varied and diverse cultures on it. Geographers are uniquely trained to “see the big picture” so that they can more fully understand these complex interactions of the environment and the many cultures of humankind.

The Geography Department offers a Bachelor of Arts degree in geography, a minor in geography, a minor in meteorology, and an interdisciplinary minor in urban studies. The geography course offerings support undergraduate preparation for careers in environmental study, teaching, weather, regional and urban planning, and preparation for graduate work.

Central to geographic inquiry is a concern with the human occupancy of the earth, the character of the human environment, and the interrelationships that link humans and the physical world. In sum, geography seeks to provide a broad understanding of the world, its people, and its problems. Geography seeks to provide applied specializations and technical skills that can address economic, social, and environmental problems at scales that range from local to global by employing a spatial framework for organizational purposes analogous to the chronological framework employed in history.

Geography integrates much information from the natural and social sciences and because of the diversity of subject matter from which it obtains data, offers a broad, liberal education applicable to many fields of employment.

The department offers a variety of courses that allow students to address different objectives. First, we provide, for both majors and non-majors alike, a greater understanding of the world as an element of a liberal education which has become an increasingly important component of a complete university education. Second, we provide courses that assure a depth of knowledge in subject matter and technique for majors and minors in geography. Third, we serve those students in related disciplines who wish to strengthen programs of study through a selection of courses in geography.

Although there are no options in the degree program, students may select courses that focus on various areas of study.

Examples of such focused study areas could include the following:

Geographic Studies: Coursework for the student interested in the world and its spatial patterns. Traditional study which may lead to graduate work and a career in higher education, or with local, state, and federal agencies utilizing geographic analysis, including the use of geographic information systems (GIS).
Environmental Studies: Coursework to develop competence in environmental techniques with particular emphasis on such topics as meteorology, pollution, environmental impact analysis, geographic information systems (GIS), and human-environment relationships may lead to graduate work in geography, or employment in various state and federal agencies dealing with environmental problems.
Urban and Regional Planning: Coursework for the student interested in the study of how to create communities that balance new development and essential services, environmental protection and innovative change and which may lead to graduate work and a career with local or state agencies. Courses could cover a wide range of subjects including planning, environmental studies, legal issues, and geographic information systems (GIS).

Students must regularly consult with their academic adviser. Such consultation will facilitate course selection and enable the student to develop a program consistent with individual interests and needs.

Interesting Classes You Might Take

Introduction to Community Planning
Environmental Planning
Introduction to Urban Design
Community Development Theory & Practice
Transportation Planning
Planning Law & Administration
Economics for Planners

Facilities

A laboratory facility is available for student use. The Urban Planning and Environmental Research Laboratory is a 32-station, state-of-the-art, computer laboratory used for instruction and research in urban planning, geographic information systems (GIS), environmental studies, remote sensing, and a variety of other applications.

Career Opportunities

Urban and regional planners develop land use plans and programs that help create communities, accommodate population growth, and revitalize transportation infrastructure and public facilities in towns, cities, counties, and metropolitan areas, and also preserve natural resources, and as well address problems caused by pollution, and to use planning to reduce the impact of natural disasters.

What You Can Do

Employment of urban and regional planners is projected to grow 13 percent from 2016 to 2026, faster than the 7% average for all occupations. Demographic, transportation, and environmental changes will drive employment growth for planners. (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics)
California is a state requiring all municipalities and counties to develop and adopt a General Plan with at least seven elements, and to update plan elements on a 5-year basis.
Green House Gas Reduction targets increase the need for municipalities and counties develop their own Climate Action Plans.
Water quality and quantity management are matters of great importance to central and southern California. Water quantity and quality districts throughout the state employ planners.
Across the country, about two-thirds of all planners are employed in the public sector. In 2010 there was an estimated 245 planners in the Central Valley. This is expected to increase to 282 by 2020 and to 375 by 2030.
California has: 58 counties, 451 cities, 3,500 special districts, dozens of consulting firms, and state and federal positions, and they all need planners.

Programs

Certificates

Bachelor

Minor