Geophysics seeks to understand the vast and complicated body that is the earth. Because most of the earth's interior is inaccessible to direct observation, the geophysicist uses the basic principles of physics to devise indirect methods of exploring those parts of the earth that cannot be reached by shovel or drill bit.

Looking deep into our earth, we are confronted with many basic, yet profound and intricate questions: How did the earth evolve? How does it compare with the moon and other planets? What causes continents to move, mountains to form, and volcanoes to erupt?

These questions require an interdisciplinary approach that links the disciplines of mathematics, physics, geology, and chemistry. Moreover, your study will encompass theoretical and experimental science as well as fieldwork to study geodynamic processes and the structure of the Earth and other planets.

The broad scope of the geophysics track opens up a wide variety of employment opportunities. Petroleum companies, mining and quarrying companies, geotechnical firms, environmental firms, and construction firms are among the potential employers in private industry. Government at the federal, state, and local levels employs geophysicists for a variety of tasks, ranging from the administration of regulations to the monitoring of earth data to the performance of original research. Colleges and universities, non-profit research institutions, and museums also hire geophysicists. With the entire earth as the subject of study, it is not unusual for many geophysical jobs to involve travel to the far corners of the globe.

Requirements

Lower Division Required Courses

• Math 1A-B (4,4) Calculus
• Math 53 and 54 (4,4) Multivariable Calculus, Linear Algebra and Differential Equations
• Physics 7A-B-C (4,4,4) Physics for Scientists and Engineers
• Chem 1A (or Chem 4A) (4,4) General Chemistry
• EPS 50 (4) The Planet Earth

Lower division required units: 40 units

Upper Division Required Courses

• EPS 102 (4) History and Evolution of Planet Earth
• Math 121A (4) Mathematical Tools for the Physical Sciences
• EPS 130 (3) Stong Motion Seismology
• EPS 150 (2) Case Studies in Earth Systems

Electives (six (6) additional upper division units chosen from the following courses)

• EPS 100A, 100B, 101, 106, 108, 117, 120/120L, 122 (4 units each)
• EPS 107, 111, 116, c178 (3 units each)
• Physics 110A (4)

Upper division required units: 19 units

Total units in Geophysics track: 59

Please note that any course of study in the major must be approved by a faculty advisor. This list is intended to be used as a guide, and may be subject to change.