Montgomery College offers a two-year degree, Associate of Applied Science in Applied Geography and two certificates - Cartography & Geographic Information Systems and Geographic Education.

Associate of Applied Science Degree Program

(Rockville Only)

This program is designed primarily for the student who desires to pursue a profession in geography, cartography, geographic information systems (GIS), or geographic education . The curriculum is designed to expose the student  to the diversity of academic studies within the broad field of geography.

Course work in this program includes fieldwork, research, computer technology, and cartographic training. Four interrelated disciplines are explored:  

1. Geography, the study of places, both physically and culturally,  enables the graduate to function as a paraprofessional in a broad range of studies. The geography graduate assists in performing research, data compilation, and spatial analysis in a variety of activities such as agriculture, climatology, conservation, marketing, transportation, planning, and domestic and foreign area studies.

2. Cartography, the art and science of map construction, enables the graduate to use, interpret, compile, and construct maps and related cartographic products.

3. Geographic Information Systems (GIS), a sophisticated form of computer cartography, combines the use of state-of-the-art technology with the field of geography to interpret, analyze, and solve spatial issues.

4. Geographic education, provides prospective teachers and currently employed teachers seeking to meet certification requirements in Montgomery County and Maryland with exposure to geographic concepts and methodology. 
   
   

First Semester
EN 101	Techniques of Reading and Writing	3
GE 101	Introduction to Geography	3
GE 151	Introduction to Cartography	3
	Mathematics foundation	3 (4)
	Natural sciences lab distribution	4
Second Semester
	English foundation	3
GE 102	Cultural Geography	3
GE 104	Physical Geography	4
GE 152	Interpretation of Geographic Imagery: Use and Analysis	3
HE 100	Principles of Healthier Living	1
Third Semester
CA 120	Introduction to Computer Applications	3
GE 103	Economic Geography	3
GE 110	Global Geography	3
	Cartography, GIS, or geography elective*	3
	Speech foundation	3
Fourth Semester
GE 203 or  GE 210	Geographic Education   Preserving Our Natural Heritage: The Geography of Conservation and Natural Resources	3
	Cartography, GIS, or geography elective*	3
	Arts or humanities distribution	3
	Behavioral and social sciences distribution	3
	Mathematics or computer science elective	3 (4)
Total credit hours		60 (62)
*Select from GE 201, GE 202, GE 251, GE 252, and GE 261.

Cartography and Geographic Information Systems
Certificate Option (R)

Training in cartography and geographic information systems enables the student to develop, construct, and use maps and imagery for problem-solving and spatial analysis.

GE 101	Introduction to Geography	3
GE 151	Introduction to Cartography	3
GE 152	Interpretation of Geographic Imagery:   Use and Analysis	3
GE 251	Principles of Map Design	3
GE 252	Introduction to Computer Mapping	3
GE 261	Introduction to Geographic Information Systems	3
	Elective	3 (4)
Total credit hours		21 (22)

Geographic Education Certificate Option (R)

This certificate option is designed primarily for the student who is pursuing a profession in K-12 geographic education. This specialized field in geography is designed for students pursuing a degree in teaching or to provide exposure to geographic concepts and methodology for teachers seeking to meet certification requirements in Montgomery County and Maryland. This option allows students to broaden their geographic horizons and literacy. Courses will involve fieldwork, research, use of computer technology, mapping exercises, and extensive reading.

GE 101	Introduction to Geography	3
GE 102	Cultural Geography	3
GE 104	Physical Geography	4
GE 110	Global Geography	3
GE 203	Geographic Education	3
GE 210	Preserving Our National Heritage: The Geography of Conservation and Natural Resources	3
	Cartography or geography elective*	3
Total credit hours		22
*Select from GE 103, GE 152, GE 201, or GE 202.

                                                                                                                                                  
Note: The following classes can substitute for specific GE classes for the degree and certificates upon the approval of the coordinator:

GE 262  Research Topics in Applied Geography

HP 258 (Tutorial in Science) Maryland: Geography/Cartography Perspectives

 

GE 263 Advanced GIS will be added to the permanent curriculum in Fall 2004.

Refer to course description pages to identify courses with prerequisites. Courses in italics meet General Education requirements.