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GEOPH-BS - Geophysics (BS)

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GeophysicsUndergraduate MatriculatedBS - Bachelor of Science

Program Overview

The undergraduate program in Geophysics exposes students to a broad spectrum of geophysics, including resource exploration, environmental geophysics, seismology, and tectonics. Students in the major obtain a solid foundation in mathematics, physics, and geology. They build upon that foundation with advanced coursework in geophysics to develop the in-depth knowledge they need to pursue advanced graduate study and professional careers in government or the private sector.

A primary focus of the Geophysics major, both as a primary and secondary major, is the senior research project. Students work closely with a faculty mentor to complete an original research paper that can result in published literature. For students pursuing Geophysics as a secondary major, the department encourages a multidisciplinary approach involving applying broad knowledge to better understand the Earth and its future.

Minimum Units in the Program

62

Minimum University Units

180
Completion requirement
Complete ALL of the following Courses:
  • 1291422
Complete ANY of the following Courses:
  • 1291391
    OR
    2248351
    OR
    1291761
    OR
    1410561
Complete ANY of the following Courses:
  • 2107961
    OR
    2216101
    OR
    2260231
Complete ANY of the following Courses:
  • 2015381
    OR
    2235552
    OR
    2227141

Complete 6 units of Geophysics 196.

Complete ALL of the following Courses:
  • 2111591
Fulfill ALL of the following requirements:
Complete ANY of the following Courses:
  • 2023541
  • 1172571
    AND
    1172591
AND
Complete ALL of the following Courses:
  • 1043151
    OR
    1172611
  • 1043162
    OR
    2089871
  • 1056641
    OR
    2002611
    OR
    1291411
Complete ALL of the following Courses:
  • 1226171
    OR
    1226431
    OR
    2208011
  • 1226191
    OR
    1226461
  • 1226241
    OR
    1226511
  • 2095051
Completion requirement

Fifteen units of geophysics-relevant upper-level electives from the list below.

Earn at least 15 credits from the following:
  • 2011622
  • 2083161
  • 1291391
  • 1291411
  • 2248351
  • 2223313
  • 2107961
  • 2224702
  • 2283041
  • 2216101
  • 1410561
  • 2268521
  • 2235552
  • 2001625
  • 2015381
  • 2195001
  • 2072682
  • 1291761
  • 2156761
  • 2083162
  • 2280041
  • 2258912
  • 2229261
  • 2268533
  • 2273001
  • 2282491
  • 2276631
  • 2240692
  • 2084233
  • 1291981
  • 2015392
  • 1292141
  • 1291522
  • 1292211
  • 2260721
  • 2237341
  • 2227121
  • 2258141
  • 2258151
  • 2215882
  • 2104591
  • 1295371
  • 1295381
  • 2194362
  • 2104482
  • 2094031
  • 1410603
Completion requirement
Complete ALL of the following Courses:
  • 1294442
Completion requirement
Complete ANY of the following Courses:
  • 2111391
  • 1291851
Completion requirement

The department offers a program leading to a BS degree in Geophysics with honors. The honors program is open to students with a grade point average (GPA) of at least 3.5 in all courses required for the Geophysics major and a minimum of 3.0 in all university coursework. The guidelines are:

  1. Select a research project, either theoretical, field, or experimental, that has the approval of an advisor.

  2. Submit a proposal to the department, which decides on its suitability as an honors project. Qualified students intending to pursue honors are encouraged to apply to the program during winter quarter of their junior year.

  3. The advisor assigns course credit for the project within the framework of the course Honors Program.

  4. Whether a given independent study project merits an award of honors is made jointly by the department and the student’s advisor. This decision is based on the quality of the honors work and the student’s other work in Earth Sciences.

  5. The work done in the honors program cannot be used as a substitute for regularly required courses.

Complete ALL of the following Courses:
  • 1291851