Curricula: Applied Geography - Montgomery College, Maryland

This curriculum is designed primarily for the student who desires to pursue a profession in geography, cartography, geographic education, or geographic information systems (GIS). The curriculum provides the student with an opportunity to test his or her interests prior to making a commitment for advanced study. Completion of all requirements will lead to the A.A.S.

Course work in this curriculum (involving fieldwork, use of computer technology, and mapping exercises) will explore four related disciplines. Geography, the first discipline, is the study of places; it enables the graduate to function as a paraprofessional in a broad range of studies. The geography graduate assists in performing research and compiling data in activities connected with agriculture, climatology, marketing, transportation, planning, and domestic and foreign area studies. Cartography, the second discipline, is the art and science of map construction; its skills enable the graduate to use, compile, and construct maps and related cartographic products. Geographic education, the third discipline, provides prospective teachers and currently employed teachers seeking to meet certification requirements in Montgomery County and Maryland with exposure to geographic concepts and methodology. GIS, the fourth discipline, combines the use of computer technology with the field of geography to solve locational problems.

*First Semester*
EN 101	Techniques of Reading and Writing I	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*
	CS or MA elective	3 (4)
GE 203	Geographic Education
or
GE 210	Preserving Our Natural Heritage	3
	Cartography, GIS, or geography elective*	3
	Arts or humanities distribution	3
	Behavioral and social sciences distribution	3
Total credit hours 60 (62)
* Select from GE 201, GE 202, GE 251, GE 252, and GE 261.

Program Outcomes for the Applied Geography A.A.S. degree
Upon completion of this program a student will be able to:

Use geography as a spatial concept, what it entails, and how it is a part of daily life.
Identify where places are, including continents, countries, states, regions, cities, districts, islands, water bodies, physical features, and other defined locations.
Interpret maps and atlases effectively and successfully use a variety of coordinate systems.
Use maps and atlases as tools.
Demonstrate an understanding of geographic phenomena.
Articulate, problem-solve, theorize, discuss through original research as well as formal and informal writing assignments.
Demonstrate an understanding of cultural geography including ethnicity, language, religion, politics, toponyms, agriculture, disease, economics, arts, and music.

Cartography and Geographic Information Systems Certificate (R): 184

Training in cartography and geographic information systems enables the student to develop, construct, and use maps and other imagery to solve problems relating to the earth, its resources and development. These skills are used by professionals employed in federal mapping and related agencies in the Washington metropolitan region.

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)

Program Outcomes for the Cartography and Geographic Information Systems Certificate
Upon completion of this program a student will be able to:

Use various mapping software packages.
Use maps as tools.
Conduct research and familiarize themselves with the various resources available to them, i.e. county, city, and federal government, the private sector, and on-line data.
Have gained an appreciation of the various job opportunities available through attending trips to various cartographic facilities.
Integrate other software as appropriate into their mapping projects, e.g. Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, and other graphics packages.
Use various techniques that improve their cartographic skills.
Create portfolios, power points, and give presentations that strengthen their communication, interpersonal, and articulation skills.
Apply for cartographic internships and/or full-time employment within the field of cartography and GIS.

Geographic Education Certificate (R): 183

This certificate curriculum is designed primarily for the student who desires to pursue a profession in geographic education. Geographic education is a specialization in the field of geography. This facet of the curriculum is for students seeking to pursue 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 curriculum provides students with an opportunity to test their interest prior to making a commitment for advanced study. Course work in this curriculum will involve fieldwork, 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
	Elective*	3
Total credit hours 22
* Select from GE 103, GE 152, GE 201, or GE 202.

Program Outcomes for the Geographic Education Certificate
Upon completion of this program a student will be able to: