Geophysical Sciences

Program of Study

Program Requirements

General Chem 111-112-113 or higher

Education Math 131-132, 151-152, or 161-162

Concentration 1 Math 133, 153, or 163

9 geophysical sciences courses

3 Phys 121-122-123 or higher

13

B.A. with Honors. The B.A. with honors is awarded to students who meet the following requirements: (1) B average (3.0) in all Physical Sciences Collegiate Division courses, excluding free electives, (2) completion of at least three advanced (300-level) courses drawn from the graduate programs of the Biological and Physical Sciences divisions in consultation with departmental counselor, and (3) completion of an honors paper. Selection of the three advanced science courses must be approved by the departmental counselor.

Cross-Listed Courses. When a course is cross-listed in geophysical sciences and some other department, that course will be counted, for degree purposes, as a course in geophysical sciences.

Field Trips and Courses. The department normally sponsors about twelve trips each year, ranging in length from one day to one month and including areas as far afield as Newfoundland, the Caribbean, and California. Most of these trips are designed as undergraduate field courses--Geophysical Sciences 228, 229, 230, and 240--or are run in connection with undergraduate lecture courses--for example, Geophysical Sciences 131--but all students and faculty are welcome to participate if there is room.

Grading. Subject to College and divisional regulations, and with the consent of the instructor, all geophysical sciences concentrators may register either for regular letter grades or for P/N or P/F grades in any course used in the concentration. Geophysical science courses taken by nonconcentrators may also be taken P/N or P/F, subject to the same constraints. A Pass may be given for work of D quality or better. Any grade conferring course credit may be counted toward the minimum grade point average of 2.0 required for the concentration at the time of graduation.

Sample Program. The following sample schedule highlights the importance of an early introduction to the fundamentals of mathematics, physics, and chemistry. Classes in geophysical sciences are normally begun during the second year (although exceptions can be made). Geophysical sciences electives, taken in the third and fourth years, include paleontology, sediments and sedimentary rocks, meteorology, oceanography, solid earth geophysics, and field courses. A summer field course (Geophysical Sciences 228) should be taken during the second or third year.

              Autumn   Winter       Spring       Summer

First year   General chemistry   General chemistry   General chemistry 

               Calculus          Calculus            Calculus

Second year  GeoSci 131          GeoSci 132          GeoSci 133          GeoSci 228

             Phys 121            Phys 122            Phys 123            GeoSci 240

             Math 200            Math 201            Math 202

Third year   GeoSci elective     GeoSci elective     GeoSci elective     GeoSci 228

                                                                       (if not taken 
                                                                       in 2nd year)

Fourth year  GeoSci elective     GeoSci elective     GeoSci elective 

Faculty