| WMU Home | Campus Directories | WMU A-Z List | Contact WMU |
Home
Undergraduate Programs
Master of Science: Geosciences
Master of Arts: Earth Sciences
Ph.D. in Geosciences
Courses Offered
Apply Online
Scholarships
WMU Undergraduate Catalog
WMU Graduate Catalog
Advisor: Dr. Michelle Kominz
Room 1133 Rood Hall
Phone: (269) 387-5340
Email: michelle.kominz@wmich.edu
Geophysics,
one of the earth sciences, applies principles of physics to the study
of the earth. Evaluation of gravity, magnetic, and electrical fields,
seismic wave propagation and heat flow are used to deduce the earth's
structure, composition, physical properties, and dynamic processes.
These studies may emphasize exploration geophysics, which uses
geophysical techniques in the search for petroleum, natural gas, other
mineral deposits, and ground-water resources. The techniques of
geophysics are also used to investigate the shallow portions of the
earth's crust to determine conditions for the suitable location of
dams, bridges, nuclear power plants, waste disposal sites, and
highways. Geology, the study of the earth, plays a major role in
geophysics.
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. Total major requires
75-77 credit hours.
| Required Courses | Course Number |
Credit Hours |
| |
||
| Geoscience Requirements (22 credits) | ||
| Physical Geology | GEOS 1300 |
4 |
| Historical Geology | GEOS 1300 |
4 |
| Mineralogy | GEOS 3350 |
4 |
| Structural Geology | GEOS 4300 |
3 |
| Geologic Mapping |
GEOS 4390 |
3 |
| Geologic Communications | GEOS 4600 |
1 |
| Introduction to Geophysics | GEOS 5600 |
3 |
| Physics Requirements (17-18 credits) | ||
| University Physics I (with Lab) | PHYS 2050, 2060 |
5 |
| University Physics II (with Lab) | PHYS 2070, 2080 |
5 |
| Introductory Modern Physics (with Lab) |
PHYS 3090, 3100 |
4 |
| and one of the following: | ||
| Introduction to Astrophysics |
PHYS 3250 |
3 |
| Thermodynamics and Kinetic Theory | PHYS 3300 | 3 |
| Electronics or ECE 2100 | 3420 | 4 |
| Waves and Optics | PHYS 3520 | 3 |
| Electromagnetism | PHYS 4400 | 4 |
| Electives (Choose at least 3 credits) | ||
| Choose three electives from upper level geology, physics, and engineering courses to be chosen with the consent of an advisor. | ||
|
|
||
| Mathematics Minor (19 credits) | ||
| Calculus I or Calculus I, Science and Engineering |
MATH 1220 or 1700 |
4 |
| Calculus II Calculus II, Science and Engineering |
MATH 1230 o4 1710 |
4 |
| Vector and Multivariate Calculus | MATH 2720 |
4 |
| Linear Algebra and Differential Equations | MATH 3740 |
4 |
| Numerical Analysis I |
MATH 5070 |
3 |
|
|
||
| Computer Science: Select one of the following two option (3 hours) | ||
| Intro. to Engineering Computing III Computer Programming with Introductory C/C++ |
CS 1023 CS 1040 |
1 2 |
| Intro. to Engineering Computing III Computer Programming with Introductory Programming: FORTRAN |
CS 1023 CS 1040 |
1 2 |
| |
||
| Required Supporting Classes (4 credits) | ||
| Introduction to Chemistry I, with Lab | CHEM 1100, 1110 |
4 |
| Notes: | ||
| Baccalaureate Writing Requirement satisfied with GEOS 4320, GEOS 4350 Strongly Recommended: Field course in geology, 6-8 hours A minimum grade of "C" is required in each of the required courses as well as in each of the prerequisites for all required courses. |
||
Department of Geosciences
1187 Rood Hall
1903 West Michigan Ave
Kalamazoo, MI 49008
Phone: (269) 387-5485
Fax: (269) 387-5513
mohamed.sultan@wmich.edu
Any questions concerning the website should be directed to: johnson.haas@wmich.edu
©2007 Department of Geosciences, WMU