COLLEGE OF ARTS AND SCIENCES
DEPARTMENT OF GEOLOGY
GEOPHYSICS MAJOR
Dr. William Sauck - (3328 Rood Hall) - Advisor
Total Major Hours - 75-77
Major Core - 48-51 hrs.
Geology (22 hours):
The Geosciences and Physics Departments offer a program of study leading to a major in geophysics. Students choosing this program of study are also required to take mathematics courses which corresepond to a minor in mathematics. Students contemplating a geophysics major should contact the Geosciences Department as early as possible for advising.
| Required Course |
Course no. |
Cr Hrs |
Semester |
| Physical Geology |
GEOS 130 |
4 |
F SP
|
| Historical Geology |
GEOS 131 |
4 |
SP |
| Minerals and Rocks |
GEOS 301 |
4 |
SP |
| Structural Geology |
GEOS 430 |
3 |
SP |
| Geologic Communications |
GEOS 460 |
1 |
F SP |
| Introduction to Applied Geophysics | GEOS 560 |
3 |
F |
| Physics: 17-18 hrs |
|||
| Mechanics and Heat |
PHYS 205 |
4 |
|
| Mechanics and Heat Lab |
PHYS 206 |
1 |
|
Electricity and Light |
PHYS 207 |
4 |
|
Electricity and Light Lab |
PHYS 208 |
1 |
|
Electronics or ECE 210 |
PHYS 342 |
4 |
|
One of the following: |
|||
| Thermodynamics and Kinetic Theory |
PHYS 330 |
3 |
|
| Optics |
PHYS 352 |
4 |
|
Electricity and Magnetism |
PHYS 440 |
3 |
|
Electives: 9-12 hrs |
|||
| Mathematics Minor: 23 hrs | |||
Calculus I |
MATH 122 |
4 |
|
Calculus II |
MATH 123 |
4 |
|
Vector and Multivariate Calculus |
MATH 272 |
4 |
|
Linear Algebra and Differential Equations 4 |
MATH 374 |
4 |
|
Numerical Analysis |
MATH 507 |
3 |
|
Computer Science I |
CS 111 |
4 |
|
Required Supporting Courses |
|||
CHEM 110 |
3 |
||
CHEM 111 |
1 |
||
Baccalaureate Writing Requirement satisfied with
GEOS 432, GEOS 435
Strongly Recommended: Field course in geology, 6-8 hours
INFORMATION FOR PROSPECTIVE GEOPHYSICS MAJORS
What is Geophysics?
1. Hydrology - the study of the occurrence and movement of the water above and below the earth's surface.
2. Oceanography - the study of the oceans.
3. Computer Sciences - the application of data processing to the study of earth measurements.
4. Geochemistry - the study of the chemistry of the earth.
5. Structural Geology - Tectonics
The geophysics major is composed of nearly equal concentrations of course work in geology and physics. A supporting minor in mathematics is required. The program requires a total of 75-77 semester hours.
COURSE DESCRIPTIONS
GEOS 562 GRAVITY AND MAGNETIC EXPLORATION: Geophysical techniques (excluding electrical methods used for shallow exploration, such as gravity and magnetics). Theoretical background; data collection and processing; and interpretation using analytical solutions, computer modeling, and other techniques will be discussed. The methods considered have particular application to hydrogeology, civil engineering, and mineral exploration. Two lectures and three hours practical laboratory, field exercises and problems. Prerequisites: GEOS 560, MATH 123.
GEOS 563 ELECTRICAL METHODS: Resistivity sounding and profiling, induced polarization, spontaneous potential, electromagnetic methods using natural and artificial fields. Two lectures and three hours laboratory with field studies and laboratory modeling. Prerequisites: GEOL 560, MATH 123, CS 306, and PHYSICS 540 (recommended).
GEOS 564 ENVIRONMENTAL FIELD GEOPHYSICS: Field studies utilizing seismic gravity, and magnetic, electromagnetic, georadar, and electrical resistivity methods for glacial geology and ground-water, engineering, and environmental problems in the Kalamazoo area. Course includes field work at local sites. Prerequisite: GEOS 560.