GEOPH – Geophysics
Courses Offered
Lower Divison | Upper Divison | Graduate
Lower Division
GEOPH 201 SEEING THE UNSEEN: AN INTRODUCTION TO GEOPHYSICS (3-V-4)(S). Introduction to the fields of environmental, exploration and global Geophysics that allow us to investigate the Earth, from the first few meters below the surface to the whole Earth, without doing any digging. Labs will involve a combination of computer exercises, demonstrations, and lab and field experiments. PREREQ: MATH 147 or PERM/INST.
Upper Division
GEOPH 300 PHYSICS OF THE EARTH (3-0-3)(F). Introduction to the earth’s gravity, magnetism, electricity, seismicity, heat, and radioactivity, with a discussion of the significance of these properties to geological processes. PRE/COREQ: PHYS 212.
GEOPH 305 APPLIED GEOPHYSICS (3-0-3)(S). Geophysical methods applied to the investigation of the subsurface, including instrumentation, data acquisition and reduction, survey design, and interpretation of data. Includes applications of seismic, gravimentric, magnetic, thermal, electrical, and electromagnetic techniques. Applications to energy and mineral exploration, as well as engineering design and construction. PREREQ: MATH 275, PHYS 212 or PERM/INST.
GEOPH 410 BOREHOLE GEOPHYSICS (2-3-3)(Offered as justified). Principles of geophysical, geological, and hydrological measurements in boreholes with emphasis on applications to hydrogeology and petroleum geology. Geological interpretation and formation evaluation of conventional petroleum industry well logs. Integration of borehole geophysics, seismic reflection data, and geology for water resource studies and petroleum exploration. PRE/COREQ: GEOPH 305.
GEOPH 411 INTEGRATED RESERVOIR ANALYSIS (3-1-3)(S). Integration of fundamentals and applications from geology, geophysics, and reservoir engineering to characterize petroleum and geothermal reservoirs. Students will work with real data and computer software to develop a reservoir. PREREQ: MATH 170 and GEOPH 201 or GEOS 315.
GEOPH 416 (CE 416)(GEOS 416) HYDROLOGY(3-0-3)(F). Interdisciplinary earth science concerned with movement and occurrence of water. Watershed-based hydrologic phenomena including hydrologic water-cycle analysis, precipitation, evapotranspiration, snow/snowmelt, streamflow, floods, routing and surface runoff events. Application of analytical techniques to solve water resource problems. May be taken for GEOPH, GEOS, or CE credit, but not in more than one department. PREREQ: MATH 175 or PERM/INST.
GEOPH 420 GEOPHYSICAL APPLICATIONS OF DIGITAL SIGNAL PROCESSING (2-3-3)(F/S). Review of digital linear system theory. Digital representation of geophysical data. Geophysical applications of convolution, fast-Fourier transform (FFT), correlations, least squares filters, deconvolution, multi-channel, and two-dimensional operations. Emphasis is on processing of seismic reflection data, potential field maps, and earthquake seismograms. Computer laboratory exercises. PREREQ: GEOPH 305, MATH 333.
GEOPH 422 DATA ANALYSIS AND GEOSTATISTICS (3-0-3)(F). Review of basic statistics to cover traditional and recent data analysis techniques, with a focus on spatial datasets. Parametric and non-parametric probability density functions, monte-carlo and bootstrap resampling, and principal component analysis. GIS software with focus on using quantitative geostatistical techniques for spatial interpolation and analysis, such as variogram modeling, kriging, and co-kriging. Some experience with programming recommended. PREREQ: MATH 175.
GEOPH 430 MATHEMATICAL METHODS IN GEOPHYSICS (2-2-3)(F/S). Examination of important mathematical methods in geophysics. Topics depend on the interests of students and instructor. Emphasis is on problem-solving and the development of skills in applied mathematics. PREREQ: MATH 333 or PERM/INST.
GEOPH 455 GRAVIMETRIC AND MAGNETIC METHODS (2-2-3)(F/S). Comprehensive discussion of modern gravimetric and magnetic methods of subsurface investigation. Applications to exploration geology (mining and petroleum), engineering geology, hydrogeology, and crustal geology. PREREQ: GEOPH 305. PRE/COREQ: MATH 333.
GEOPH 460 ELECTRICAL AND ELECTROMAGNETIC METHODS (2-2-3)(F/S). Comprehensive discussion of modern electrical and electromagnetic methods of subsurface investigation, including ground penetrating radar. Applications to exploration geology (mining and petroleum), engineering geology, hydrogeology and crustal geology. PREREQ: GEOPH 305. PRE/COREQ: MATH 333.
GEOPH 465 SEISMIC METHODS (2-2-3)(F/S). Comprehensive discussion of modern seismic methods of subsurface investigation. Applications to exploration geology (mining and petroleum), engineering geology, hydrogeology, and crustal geology. PREREQ: GEOPH 305. PRE/COREQ: MATH 333.
GEOPH 466 SNOW AND ICE PHYSICS (3-0-3)(S)(Even years). Physics of water in its solid form at a wide range of spatial and temporal scales. Micro-scale processes including formation of solid precipitation, deposition, metamorphism, sublimation, melt, transition to firn, and ice deformation. Medium-scale processes including snow redistribution, energy balance, stratigraphy, slope stability, and avalanche dynamics. Large-scale processes including snowmelt, regional avalanche forecasting, glacier/ice sheet hydrology, dynamics, ice core studies, permafrost and sea ice. PREREQ: MATH 175.
GEOPH 467 SNOW SCIENCE FIELD METHODS (0-3-2)(S). Introduction to traditional and cutting-edge methods for measuring snow properties for snow hydrology and avalanche applications. Weekly hands-on measurements in nearby Dry Creek and Reynolds Creek Experimental Watersheds to monitor snow conditions during the winter and spring. PREREQ: PERM/INST.
GEOPH 480 RESEARCH IN GEOPHYSICS (1-3 credits)(F/S). Individual research project carried out by the student in collaboration with and directed by a supervising member of the Geophysics faculty. May be repeated for up to 6 credits maximum. PREREQ: GEOS 100 or GEOS 101; COREQ: GEOPH 201.
GEOPH 486 GEOPHYSICS FIELD CAMP (4 weeks-4credits)(SU). Field experience in significant geophysical mapping projects. Survey design and hands-on operation of seismic, magnetic, gravimetric, and electrical/electromagnetic field and borehole geophysical instrumentation. Reduction and interpretation of acquired data. Preparation of appropriate reports. PREREQ: GEOPH 300, GEOPH 305, GEOPH 420 or PERM/INST.
GEOPH 498, 499 GEOPHYSICS SENIOR SEMINAR (1-0-1). Research project based on field and/or literature studies. Fundamentals of report preparation and oral presentations. PREREQ: geophysics major.