B.S. - Geophysics

geology and geophysics

Students majoring in Geophysics will fulfill the following course requirements:

A.   Student must take the following four (4) courses:

Course # Course Name Co-requisites Pre-requisites
GE 132 Exploring the Earth I GE 133
GE 134 Exploring the Earth II GE 135 GE 132      
GE 220 Earth Materials GE 221 GE 132
GE 285* Introduction to Structural Geology GE 286 GE 134

* Not Offered Every Year

B.   Four (4) courses must be from the following list, with at least two (2) in Geophysics:

Course # Course Name Co-requisites Pre-requisites
GE 372* Petrology I GE 373 GE 220
GE 374* Petrology II GE 375 GE 372
GE 391* Introduction to Geophysics GE 134, MT 102-103, PH 211-212
GE 398* Statistical Analysis of Scientific Data
GE 400* Watershed Geomorphology GE 401 GE 132, calculus and physics recommended
GE 418* Hydrogeology GE 419 GE 132
GE 424* Environmental Geophysics GE 425 MT 102-103 or PH 211-212
GE 455* Exploration Seismology GE 456 MT 102-103, PH 211-212
GE 485* Advanced Structural Geology GE 486 GE 285
GE 530* Marine Geology GE 132, calculus and physics recommended
GE 543* Plate Tectonics/Mountain Belts GE 220, GE 285
GE 535* Coastal Processes calculus and physics recommended
GE 572* Geophysical Data Processing MT 202, PH 211-212
GE 660* Introduction to Seismology MT 103 (can be taken concurrently)

*Not offered every year

C.   Two (2) additional electives approved in advance by the student’s advisor.

 

These two courses may be in departmental courses numbered 400 or above, or in advanced courses in Physics or Mathematics beyond those required below.

This requirement may be fulfilled by a combination of courses, such as one (1) advanced departmental course and one (1) advanced physics course

D.   In addition to the 10 required courses listed above, the outside science requirements for the Geophysics major are as follows:

 

  • Calculus through MT 305 (MT 102-103, 202, 305)
  • Two semesters of Chemistry (CH 109-110 with laboratory CH 111-112)
  • Two semesters of Physics (PH 211-212 with laboratory PH203-204)

 

Other Options:

A geology or geophysics summer field course may be substituted for one of the courses in (B) above.   A file of summer field course programs is kept in the department office.

Courses in computer science and additional electives in geology are recommended in the elective program.  Elective courses both within and outside the Department should be determined by the student and his or her advisor.  Alternatives to this program may be substituted upon petition to and approval by the departmental Undergraduate Program Committee.

 

Information for First Year Geophysics Majors

 

The following courses are recommended for First Year Geophysics majors, if their schedules permit:

  • Exploring the Earth I and II (GE 132, 134 with laboratory GE 133, 135)
  • Two semesters of Chemistry (CH 109-110 with laboratory CH 111-112)
  • Two semesters of Calculus (MT 102-103)