Geophysics Degree – Courses for First Year

Sometimes referred to as Geophysical Science, Geophysics is the scientific study of the Earth using physical applications. A relatively uncommon physical science, it seeks to understand things like: Can we physically explain and quantify the driving forces behind tectonic motion? Why does the Earth produce a magnetic field? For what reasons do earthquakes occur?

Geology Degree and Physics Degree

Geophysics Degree

Actually, a Geology degree can provide a perfect explanation for the above questions, however, a geophysics degree emphasises the complex physical nature of it all, using mathematics whenever possible. As such, it is easy to say that a Physics degree is also capable of answering the very same questions using fundamental laws of physics. Ultimately, however, Geophysics is primarily considered to be an earth science due to an earth scientist’s capability to qualitatively explain geophysical theory.

The geophysics degrees are designed for students with a specific interest in maths or physics and the application of physical laws to the study of the Earth. Greater emphasis is therefore placed on mathematics and physics subjects. Students following these programmes will share some core modules with other earth science students.

The Application of Physics to the Understanding of Geology

The application of physics to the understanding of natural geological processes in the solid earth is called Geodynamics and Solid Earth Geophysics. This is primarily known as theoretical, pure, or academic geophysics where the geophysicist aims to understand paleomagnetism, radioactive minerals through geological time, the kinematics of tectonic plates and convectional flow in the internal structure of the Earth using a more theoretical approach – i.e., topics which wouldn’t normally contribute to industrial and applied geophysics. These topics are generally touched upon at undergraduate level but are more commonly explored in depth at postgraduate level.

Geophysics, like Engineering or Computer Science, also applies mathematical and physical methods to use in the industry; geophysicists are the backbone of oil and mineral exploration. Using applied geophysical methods – such as electromagnetism, electricity, magnetism, seismology and gravity – they seek to locate and identify resources with the aid of computational modeling. This branch of geophysics is known primarily as Exploration Geophysics. It is categorized as a branch of applied geophysics.

Keep in mind that applied geophysics could also represent the application of geophysical techniques to understanding the interior structure of the Earth, the structure of the lithosphere below a continent, the location of archaeological objects and subsurface structures under a city (e.g. for geotechnical engineering).

Geophysics uses physical properties, such as electrical conductivity, magnetization, density, and the ability to transmit and reflect propagating waves, to interpret the earth.

Applied geophysicists use techniques that measure these physical properties to determine the near-surface characteristics of rock and soil. They work in environmental, mining, and petroleum industries. They conduct site investigations using geophysical techniques before the construction of dams, roads, buildings, landfills, and waste repositories and before mining for precious metals and drilling for oil and gas.

Courses for Geophysics Degree

1-st Year Courses

In your first year, your geology course content should generally look like the following:

Geology

• Earth and Ocean Systems
• Mineralogy
• Physical and Dynamic Geology

Mathematics

• Identical maths courses to another physical science student.

Physics

• Electricity and Magnetism
• Waves
• Other (it depends on the university)

Second Year Courses

From your second year onwards you begin to study geophysical science (and one to four compulsory maths and physics modules building up on your previous year). It normally consists of:

• Structural geology in geophysical exploration
• Hydrocarbon geophysics
• Solid Earth Geophysics & Geodynamics or Tectonophysics
• Marine Geophysical Exploration
• Reflection and Refraction Seismology
• Electromagnetic methods
• Physical Volcanology.

Because Geophysics is a particularly narrow subject, do not expect to have too much choice in how much geophysics you’d like to do; earth science and/or physics modules will generally fill in your optional choices.

Throughout the course of a geophysics degree, generally, you may find that you prefer applied or theoretical geophysics. Keep in mind, however, that applied and exploration geophysics is a much more developed subject than the latter. As such they offer more transferable skills and are key modules should you plan on working in the energy or oil industry.

A geophysics degree prepares you for a wide range of possible careers.