College of Geosciences
Curriculum in Geophysics
The B.S. degree in Geophysics is offered through the Department of Geology and Geophysics. Geophysics includes all areas of scientific inquiry that deal with the physical state of the planets, with the dynamic physical processes which act on and within the planets, and with their evolution. The deep interior, crust, atmosphere, oceans and space all lie within the province of the geophysicist. To work effectively in so broad an area requires considerable depth and breadth of understanding of physical principles and considerable proficiency in mathematics.
The objective of the undergraduate program is to develop a physically motivated approach to the study of earth phenomena. The curriculum provides a thorough treatment of the principles of physics. The courses in geophysics and geology introduce the principles, key observations and the major problem areas. Mathematical tools are developed to the point where the student can analyze problems in a resourceful and constructive manner. Electives provide the student with an opportunity to broaden cultural and scientific interests or to specialize in preparation for a specific career objective. Because of the emphasis on fundamentals, the student is admirably equipped for advanced study.
Geophysicists continue to play key roles in the development of new and novel exploration systems required in the oil and mineral industries. Recently, they have been finding new uses for their abilities in implementing enhanced production techniques in existing hydrocarbon reservoirs. They also are finding challenging careers in diverse government activities such as the exploration of ocean basins and the crust beneath them, the detection of underground nuclear explosions, the exploration of the solar system, earthquake and volcanic hazards reduction, and toxic waste disposal. It is in the latter area of environmental geophysics that many opportunities for contributions to society are anticipated. Geophysicists are expected to play a major role in this area both in the governmental and private sectors.
Questions pertaining to degree requirements for professional work in geophysics cannot be answered unequivocally because of the wide diversity of viewpoints among employers. However, there has been a trend toward requiring an M.S. degree for employment in petroleum and related industries.
Students interested in teaching in a university or working in one of the industrial or government research laboratories should seek the Ph.D.; however, teaching and research account for less than half of the total job opportunities in geophysics. Note that the first two years of the curriculum in geophysics are the same as the first two years of the curriculum in geology. Some courses in geophysics require field trips. Students are required to pay expenses incurred on such trips.
To graduate, as well as remain in satisfactory academic standing, geophysics majors are required to maintain a 2.0 or better GPR in all chemistry, geology, geophysics, mathematics and physics courses in the curriculum. These are considered “the courses in the major department” (see “Requirements for a Baccalaureate Degree” in this catalog).
Environmental Geophysics Track. The environmental geophysics track is intended for students interested in pursuing a career in the application of near-surface geophysics for hydrogeological, structural and stratigraphic characterization of the uppermost 100 meters, with applications to shallow resource and groundwater assessment and the solution of environmental and engineering problems. The student will acquire a basic understanding of traditional and emergent geophysical methods such as high-frequency electromagnetic induction, shallow seismic reflection, ground-penetrating radar, and high-resolution magnetic surveying techniques. Applications of environmental geophysics may include groundwater pollution studies, detection of buried hazardous wastes, landmines or unexploded ordnance, coastal subsidence studies, delineation of leakage from acid mines, landfills, and agricultural or industrial facilities, shallow-fault mapping, archaeological prospecting, etc.
Environmental geophysicists typically work as independent environmental consultants or with industrial corporations or government agencies. Specific classes recommended for this track include GEOL 410 Hydrogeology, GEOL 420 Environmental Geology, and GEOL 440 Engineering Geology, GEOP 413 Near-surface Geophysics, GEOP 435 Principles of Geophysical Exploration.
Petroleum Geophysics Track. The petroleum industry is the largest employer of geophysicists in the United States. The Texas A&M degree program provides a number of courses for students interested in careers in the petroleum industry. The overwhelming majority of petroleum geophysicists work in some area related to petroleum seismology. Reflection seismology is the principal tool used by industry to explore the subsurface and is a major tool in petroleum exploration and production.
Petroleum geophysicists work closely with petroleum geologists, petroleum engineers and other scientists and engineers involved in petroleum exploration and development. As a consequence, petroleum geophysicists need to have a working knowledge of engineering and geology. The mix depends on the geophysical specialty.
There are three main petroleum geophysics specialties: seismic theory, seismic imaging and seismic interpretation. All petroleum geophysicists should have a basic understanding of seismic theory, seismic imaging and seismic interpretation. In addition, they should have knowledge of gravity, magnetic and electrical methods used in petroleum exploration and development. Required courses provide for each of the above except for seismic interpretation and gravity-magnetics. Seismic interpretation is usually taught as a graduate course, but is available as an elective for undergraduates through Directed Studies (GEOP 485). Gravity and magnetics are covered in GEOP 475 Interpretation of Gravity and Magnetic Fields.
Students planning careers in seismic theory may wish to take additional courses in Physics, Mathematics (for example, MATH 417 Numerical Analysis I) and Computer Science. Students planning careers in seismic imaging may wish to take electives in Electrical Engineering (ECEN 444 Digital Signal Processing) and Computer Sciences. Other course recommendations are available from the teaching faculty. Students planning to specialize in seismic interpretation will benefit from GEOL 306 Sedimentation and Stratigraphy, GEOL 312 Structural Geology and Tectonics, PETE 201 Introduction to Petroleum Engineering, PETE 311 Reservoir Petrophysics, and PETE 320 Drilling and Production Systems.
Geophysics
FRESHMAN YEAR
| First Semester | (Th-Pr) | Cr | Second Semester | (Th-Pr) | Cr | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CHEM 101 Fund. of Chemistry I | (3-0) | 3 | ENGL 210 Scientific and Tech. Writing1 | (3-0) | 3 | |
| CHEM 111 Fund. of Chemistry I Lab. | (0-3) | 1 | CHEM 102 Fund. of Chemistry II | (3-0) | 3 | |
| ENGL 104 Comp. and Rhetoric | (3-0) | 3 | CHEM 112 Fund. of Chemistry II Lab. | (0-3) | 1 | |
| GEOL 104 Physical Geology | (3-3) | 4 | GEOL 106 Historical Geology | (3-3) | 4 | |
| MATH 151 Engineering Math. I | (3-2) | 4 | MATH 152 Engineering Math. II | (3-2) | 4 | |
| 15 | 15 |
SOPHOMORE YEAR
| First Semester | (Th-Pr) | Cr | Second Semester | (Th-Pr) | Cr | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GEOL 203 Mineralogy | (2-6) | 4 | GEOL 302 Introduction to Petrology | (3-3) | 4 | |
| GEOP 341 Intro. to Global Geophysics | (3-0) | 3 | GEOL 309 Intro. to Geol. Field Methods | (1-6) | 3 | |
| MATH 251 Engineering Math. III | (3-0) | 3 | GEOL 311 Prin. of Geological Writing | (1-0) | 1 | |
| PHYS 218 Mechanics | (3-3) | 4 | MATH 308 Differential Equations | (3-0) | 3 | |
| * KINE 198 Health and Fitness Activity | (0-2) | 1 | PHYS 219 Electricity | (3-3) | 4 | |
| 15 | * KINE 199 Required Physical Activity | 1 | ||||
| 16 |
JUNIOR YEAR
| First Semester | (Th-Pr) | Cr | Second Semester | (Th-Pr) | Cr | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GEOP 435 Principles of Geophysical Exploration | (3-3) | 4 | GEOL 312 Struct. Geology and Tectonics | (3-3) | 4 | |
| PHYS 221 Optics and Thermal Physics | (3-0) | 3 | GEOP 413 Near-surface Geophysics | (3-0) | 3 | |
| Computer science 3 | 3 | MATH 311 Topics in Applied Math. | (3-0) | 3 | ||
| U.S. history or political science elective 2 | 3 | Social and behavioral sciences elective 4 | 3 | |||
| Visual and performing arts elective 4 | 3 | U.S. history or political science elective 2 | 3 | |||
| 16 | 16 |
SENIOR YEAR
| First Semester | (Th-Pr) | Cr | Second Semester | (Th-Pr) | Cr | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GEOP 421 Petroleum Seismology I | (3-3) | 4 | GEOP 470 Computational Methods | (3-0) | 3 | |
| MATH 412 Theory of PDES | (3-0) | 3 | Technical electives 5 | 8 | ||
| Humanities elective 4 | 3 | U.S. history or political science elective 2 | 3 | |||
| Technical elective 5 | 4 | General electives 6 | 4 | |||
| U.S. history or political science elective 2 | 3 | 18 | ||||
| 17 | ||||||
Total Hours |
128 |
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NOTES:
- Students with junior or senior classification may substitute ENGL 301.
- These electives must be selected from the approved list of courses satisfying the University Core Curriculum.
- Computer science course must entail programming with a high-level language.
- These electives must be selected from the approved list of courses satisfying the University Core Curriculum AND 6 hours must be selected from courses that also satisfy the international and cultural diversity requirement.
- Any science, math or engineering course that augments the degree with the approval of the advisor.
- General electives MAY NOT include BUAD 100; STLC 001-499; SLCX 001-499; DEVS 001-499; ENGL 100, 103; GEOL 101, 104; KINE 198, 199; LBAR 201; MATH 102, 103, 131, 142, 150, 151, 152, 171, 172, 221, 251, 253; PHYS 201, 202, 208, 218, 219; AERS 100-499; MLSC 100-499; NVSC 100-499; SOMS 100-499.
* See University Core Curriculum, item 7.