Campuses:
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Twin Cities Campus
Geophysics B.S.Geop.Department of Earth Sciences
College of Science and Engineering
Geophysics is the study of the physical structure and properties of the Earth through application of the principles and techniques of classical physics. Major topics include the physical properties of rocks and minerals, the origin and dynamics of the Earth¿s gravity and magnetic fields, earthquakes and the propagation of waves in the Earth (seismology), and the dynamics of the Earth¿s crust, mantle, and deep interior.
Geologists and geophysicists are employed in a wide range of fields, including exploration for and development of natural resources (hydrocarbons, minerals, groundwater); environmental science; urban planning; education; and oceanography. Potential employers include the oil, gas, and minerals industries; environmental consultants; federal and private research institutions; universities; schools; and government agencies. An advanced degree is usually required for a career in research or teaching.
Program Delivery
This program is available:
Admission Requirements
Students must complete
11 courses
before admission to the program.
A GPA above 2.0 is preferred for the following:
Students interested in a geophysics major may want to consider taking GEO 1001, which can be counted as a geology elective.
For information about University of Minnesota admission requirements, visit the
Office of Admissions
website.
Required prerequisites
Mathematics
Required prerequisites
Physical Sciences
CHEM 1021 {Inactive}
[PHYS]
(4.0 cr)
or
CHEM 1031H {Inactive}
[PHYS]
(4.0 cr)
CHEM 1022 {Inactive}
[PHYS]
(4.0 cr)
or
CHEM 1032H {Inactive}
[PHYS]
(4.0 cr)
PHYS 1301W - Introductory Physics for Science and Engineering I
[PHYS, WI]
(4.0 cr)
or
PHYS 1401V - Honors Physics I
[PHYS, WI]
(4.0 cr)
PHYS 1302W - Introductory Physics for Science and Engineering II
[PHYS, WI]
(4.0 cr)
or
PHYS 1402V - Honors Physics II
[PHYS, WI]
(4.0 cr)
PHYS 2303 - Physics III: Physics of Matter
(4.0 cr)
General Requirements
All students in baccalaureate degree programs are required to complete general University and college requirements including writing and liberal education courses. For more information about University-wide requirements, see the
liberal education requirements.
Required courses for the major, minor or certificate in which a student receives a D grade (with or without plus or minus) do not count toward the major, minor or certificate (including transfer courses).
Program Requirements
Major Courses
ESCI 2201 - Solid Earth Dynamics
(4.0 cr)
ESCI 2301 - Mineralogy
(3.0 cr)
ESCI 2302 - Petrology
(3.0 cr)
ESCI 3303W - Geochemical Principles
[WI]
(4.0 cr)
ESCI 3202 - Fluid Earth Dynamics
(4.0 cr)
ESCI 3401 {Inactive}
(3.0 cr)
ESCI 3911 - Introductory Field Geology
(4.0 cr)
ESCI 4501 - Structural Geology
(3.0 cr)
ESCI 4911 - Advanced Field Geology
(4.0 cr)
or
ESCI 4971W - Field Hydrogeology
[WI]
(4.0 cr)
Electives
Take 9 additional credits of GEO courses, with no more than 4 credits of 1xxx and 3 credits of 2xxx.
Take 9 or more credit(s) from the following:
·
GEO 1xxx
·
GEO 2xxx
·
GEO 3xxx
·
GEO 4xxx
·
GEO 5xxx
Technical Electives
Take 9 additional credits of math or science approved by adviser.
Program Sub-plans
A sub-plan is not required for this program.
Honors UHP
This is an honors sub-plan.
Students admitted to the University Honors Program (UHP) must fulfill UHP requirements in addition to degree program requirements. For any course required in a degree program, UHP students must register for the honors version if one is offered. Honors courses used to fulfill degree program requirements will also fulfill UHP requirements.
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Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Math 1271/Math 1381/Math 1571/ |
Typically offered: | Every Fall, Spring & Summer |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Math 1271/Math 1381/Math 1571/ |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Math 1272/Math 1282/Math 1372/ |
Typically offered: | Every Fall, Spring & Summer |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Math 1272/Math 1282/Math 1372/ |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Math 2243/Math 2373/Math 2574H |
Typically offered: | Every Fall, Spring & Summer |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Math 2243/Math 2373/Math 2574H |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Math 2263/Math 2374/Math 2573H |
Typically offered: | Every Fall, Spring & Summer |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Math 2263/Math 2374/Math 2573H |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Phys 1201W/1301W/1401V/1501V |
Typically offered: | Every Fall, Spring & Summer |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Phys 1201W/1301W/1401V/1501V |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Phys 1202W/1302W/1402V/1502V |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Phys 1202W/1302W/1402V/1502V |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Phys 2303/2403H/2503/2503H |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Summer |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Summer |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Summer |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | ESci 4212/ESci 8212 |
Typically offered: | Spring Odd Year |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | ESci 4203/ESci 8203 |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Periodic Spring |