GEOPH-BS - Geophysics (BS)
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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
Minimum University Units
Substitutions are allowed with the consent of the Director of Undergraduate Studies; classes are to be taken for a letter grade if offered, grade C or better.
Declared majors must maintain a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of at least 2.0.
The courses below are required for the BS degree in Geophysics. A written report on original research (GEOPHYS 197) or an honors thesis (GEOPHYS 198) is also required through participation in GEOPHYS 196 Undergraduate Research in Geophysics and GEOPHYS 199 Senior Seminar: Issues in Earth Sciences in autumn quarter of the senior year.
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:
Select a research project, either theoretical, field, or experimental, that has the approval of an advisor.
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.
The advisor assigns course credit for the project within the framework of the course Honors Program.
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.
The work done in the honors program cannot be used as a substitute for regularly required courses.