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Geography

Geography
Geography is the study of place and space. Geographers ask where things are located on the surface of the earth, why they are located where they are, how places differ from one another, and how people interact with the environment. There are two main branches of geography: human geography and physical geography. Human geography is concerned with the spatial aspects of human existence, including population, culture and economic activities. Physical geographers study patterns of climates, land forms, vegetation, soils, and water.
George Clooney surrounded by children

Cultural geography is the study of cultural products and norms.

Geography courses offered at Olympic College: 

GEOG&100 Introduction to Geography

Survey of Geography including cartography and remote sensing, physical geography, Human geography, regional geography and Human impact on Earth.

GEOG 150 Physical Geography with Lab

Basic physical elements of the environment and their regional and global distribution. Topics address processes within the atmosphere, hydrosphere, lithosphere, biosphere and cryosphere. Areas of study include season, weather, climate, landscape formation, distribution of plants and animals.

GEOG&200 Human Geography: Culture & Places

Learn how human activities, such as culture and population, affect the earth's surface. 

GEOG&210 Social Justice in Geography

Analysis of the geographical distribution of power, resources, access, and opportunities on a global, national, and local scale; with a focus on cultural geography, population migration, the environment, and economic growth.

GEOG&250 Geography of the Pacific Northwest

A lecture/field course introducing the physical, economi

c and cultural geography of the Pacific Northwest.

GEOG 260 Earth from Space

A study of Earth remote sensing: history instruments; satellites; and data uses including agriculture, forestry, disaster management, geology, archaeology, oceanography and ice.

 

There are numerous career possibilities with a degree in geography. Geographers may find career opportunities in a variety of work sectors. There are possibilities in state and local government offices, federal agencies, and international organizations. Many geographers find work in private businesses or as consultants to businesses. Also, geographers may pursue the possibility of teaching or researching at a university, or teaching at the primary or secondary level, each requiring additional years of study at the graduate level. Careeer opportunities for geographers also exist in specialized areas such as remote sensing and aerial photography, resource evaluation, urban and regional planning, industrial location, marketing resources, transportation and cartography.

Examples of careers with geography degrees:

Area Specialist

Cartographers

Emergency Management Planners

GIS Analysts and Specialists

Location Analysts

Remote Sensing Analysts and Specialists

Researchers

Teachers

Transportation Planners and Managers

Urban and City Planners

 

For up-to-date information, go to http://www.onetonline.org/ and simply enter the job title in Occupation Search field.

  • 5/11/11 - Retired Professor Susan Digby is one of the editors and contributor to the Visual and Historical Geographies, Essays in Honour of Denis E. Cosgrove. Professor Cosgrove was a leading figure in contemporary cultural and historical geography. He has since passed, but his legacy lives on. Look for the book at your favorite library.
  • 2/2011 - The Mystery of Kitsap's Trash *- Olympic College professor researches where beach debris comes from and how to prevent it from washing ashore.

Current wage information can be found for each career option. After finding the career option in O*NET OnLine, click on Wages & Employment, click Local Salary Info, select Washington, and click Go.