专业详情

Geophysics is the branch of Earth sciences which explores and analyzes active processes of the Earth through physical measurement. The undergraduate and graduate programs are designed to provide a background of fundamentals in science, and courses to coordinate these fundamentals with the principles of geophysics. Graduate programs provide specialized training for professional work in resource exploration, research, and education, and lead to the degrees of Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy. University requirements for the M.S. and Ph.D. are described in the Graduate Degrees section of this bulletin. Coterminal Master’s Degrees The Department of Geophysics is housed in the Ruth Wattis Mitchell Earth Sciences Building. It has numerous research facilities, among which are a state-of-the-art broadband seismic recording station, high pressure and temperature rock properties and rock deformation laboratories, various instruments for field measurements including seismic recorders, nine dual frequency GPS receivers, and field equipment for measuring in-situ stress at great depth. Current research activities include crustal deformation, earthquake seismology and earthquake mechanics, reflection, refraction, and tomographic seismology, rock mechanics, rock physics, seismic studies of the continental lithosphere, remote sensing, environmental geophysics, and synthetic aperture radar studies.

Program Learning Outcomes

The objective of the graduate program in Geophysics is to prepare students to be leaders in the geophysics industry, academia, and research organizations through completion of fundamental courses in their major field and related sciences, as well as through independent research. Students are expected to:

  1. apply skills developed in fundamental courses to geophysical problems.
  2. research, analyze, and synthesize solutions to an original and contemporary geophysics problem.
  3. work independently and as part of a team to develop and improve geophysics solutions.
  4. apply written, visual, and oral presentation skills to communicate scientific knowledge.
  5. master’s students are expected to develop an in-depth technical understanding of geophysics problems at an advanced level.
  6. doctoral students are expected to complete a scientific investigation that is significant, challenging and original.