Geophysics involves the application of physics and mathematics to the study of processes that operate on and within the Earth and other planets, over short and long timescales. The AB degree requires a total of 14 courses, including 6 geoscience courses, 3 physics or engineering courses, and 3 math and applied math courses. The ScB degree requires a total of 20 courses, including 8 geoscience courses, 4 physics or engineering courses, and 3 math and applied courses; students can choose courses from both solid Earth geophysics and climate science themes. Geoscience courses emphasize an analytical and process-oriented approach, with hands-on experiences in labs and on field trips. Active and collaborative learning is encouraged, as is practice in written and oral communication. There are many opportunities for students to engage in research (typically in paid positions) during the academic year or in the summer, in areas such as analysis of seismic waves in subduction zones, theoretical modeling of convection in the Earth’s mantle, modeling the effects of the warming climate in the oceans and atmosphere, and remote sensing of how climate change affects vegetation.
Standard program for the A.B. degree
Recommended for students seeking a liberal education and interested in applying physical and mathematical principles toward an understanding of the processes affecting planets, Earth, and the environment and how they are modeled. Some course requirements may be flexible based on consultation with concentration advisor.
| Five supporting science courses: | ||
| CHEM 0330 | Equilibrium, Rate, and Structure | 1 |
| A course involving mechanics such as: | 1 | |
| Foundations of Mechanics | ||
| Analytical Mechanics | ||
| Dynamics and Vibrations | ||
or equivalent | ||
| Three courses in APMA or MATH, one of which must be APMA 0330, APMA 0350, or equivalent | 3 | |
| Nine concentration courses: | ||
| EEPS 0220 | Understanding Earth and Environmental Processes | 1 |
| EEPS 0230 | Geochemistry: Earth and Planetary Materials and Processes | 1 |
| or EEPS 0240 | Earth: Evolution of a Habitable Planet | |
| EEPS 0250 | Computational Approaches to Modelling and Quantitative Analysis in Natural Sciences: An Introduction | 1 |
| or EEPS 0350 | Mathematical Methods of Fluid | |
| EEPS 1430 | Principles of Planetary Climate | 1 |
| or EEPS 1610 | Solid Earth Geophysics | |
| Two upper level courses from: | 2 | |
| Weather and Climate | ||
| Global Water Cycle | ||
| Mineralogy | ||
| Petrology | ||
| Principles of Planetary Climate | ||
| Structural Geology | ||
| Introduction to Atmospheric Dynamics | ||
| Ocean Circulation and Climate | ||
| Solid Earth Geophysics | ||
| Continuum Physics of the Solid Earth | ||
| One additional EEPS course such as: | 1 | |
| Ocean Biogeochemical Cycles | ||
| Global Environmental Remote Sensing | ||
| Global Tectonics | ||
| Earthquake Seismology | ||
| Physics of Planetary Evolution | ||
| Geophysical Fluid Dynamics: Rotating, Stratified Turbulence Edition | ||
| Individual Study of Geologic Problems | ||
a field or sea course | ||
or any EEPS course listed above | ||
| Two courses in physics or engineering such as: | 2 | |
| Foundations of Electromagnetism and Modern Physics | ||
| Electricity and Magnetism | ||
| Advanced Classical Mechanics | ||
| Computational Physics | ||
| Mechanics of Solids and Structures | ||
| Fundamentals of Environmental Engineering | ||
| Electricity and Magnetism | ||
| Fluid Mechanics | ||
| Advanced Engineering Mechanics | ||
| Total Credits | 14 | |
Standard program for the Sc.B. degree
This program is recommended for students interested in graduate study and careers in geophysics, climate science and related fields. Students will be prepared to understand and use models, make measurements, and use theories of the processes studied in these fields. Some course requirements may be flexible based on consultation with concentration advisor.
| Five supporting science courses: | ||
| CHEM 0330 | Equilibrium, Rate, and Structure | 1 |
| A course involving mechanics such as: | 1 | |
| Foundations of Mechanics | ||
| Analytical Mechanics | ||
| Dynamics and Vibrations | ||
or equivalent | ||
| Three courses in APMA or MATH, one of which must be APMA 0330, APMA 0350, or equivalent | 3 | |
| Fourteen Concentration Courses: | ||
| EEPS 0220 | Understanding Earth and Environmental Processes | 1 |
| EEPS 0230 | Geochemistry: Earth and Planetary Materials and Processes | 1 |
| or EEPS 0240 | Earth: Evolution of a Habitable Planet | |
| EEPS 0250 | Computational Approaches to Modelling and Quantitative Analysis in Natural Sciences: An Introduction | 1 |
| or EEPS 0350 | Mathematical Methods of Fluid | |
| EEPS 1430 | Principles of Planetary Climate | 1 |
| EEPS 1610 | Solid Earth Geophysics | 1 |
| Three upper level EEPS courses from: | 3 | |
| Global Water Cycle | ||
| Mineralogy | ||
| Petrology | ||
| Structural Geology | ||
| Introduction to Atmospheric Dynamics | ||
| Ocean Circulation and Climate | ||
| Continuum Physics of the Solid Earth | ||
| One additional EEPS course such as: | 1 | |
| Weather and Climate | ||
| Ocean Biogeochemical Cycles | ||
| Global Environmental Remote Sensing | ||
| Global Tectonics | ||
| Earthquake Seismology | ||
| Physics of Planetary Evolution | ||
| Geophysical Fluid Dynamics: Rotating, Stratified Turbulence Edition | ||
a field or sea course | ||
or any EEPS course listed above | ||
| Three courses in physics or engineering such as: | 3 | |
| Foundations of Electromagnetism and Modern Physics | ||
| Electricity and Magnetism | ||
| Advanced Classical Mechanics | ||
| Computational Physics | ||
| Mechanics of Solids and Structures | ||
| Fundamentals of Environmental Engineering | ||
| Electricity and Magnetism | ||
| Fluid Mechanics | ||
| Advanced Engineering Mechanics | ||
| One additional upper-level science or math course with approval from the concentration advisor | 1 | |
| EEPS 1970 | Individual Study of Geologic Problems | 1 |
| Total Credits | 19 | |