This outline for an Interdepartmental Major (Geophysics) has been approved by the Department of Physics and Astronomy, by the Mathematics Department and by the Geology Department.
Individuals interested in geophysics should contact Dr. Stierman. Because advanced courses in all three departments have prerequisites, it is important for interested individuals to see Dr. Stierman as soon as possible so that a schedule allowing for graduation within 4 years can be drawn up. Geology courses numbered higher than 2210 are usually offered but once a year and should be taken in the appropriate sequence.
This is a challenging program. It requires both the discipline of classical physics and the creativity needed to work in a natural laboratory where experimental variables are difficult to isolate or control. However, geophysical measurements make it possible to "go where no one has gone before" in a way, discovering features that have been buried, concealed below the earth's surface, never before revealing themselves to humans.
| Mathematics | |
| MATH 1850, 1860 and 2850 | Calculus |
| MATH 3860 | Differential equations |
| MATH 1890 | Linear algebra |
| Total mathematics hours: at least 18 | |
| Physics and Astronomy | |
| PHYS 2130, 2140 | Physics for Scientists and Engineers |
| PHYS 3180 | Intermediate Laboratory |
| PHYS 4210 | Mechanics |
| PHYS 4230 | Electricity and Magnetism I |
| Total Physics hours: at least 18 | |
| Geology | |
| EEES 1020 | Physical Geology Laboratory |
| EEES 2100 | Fundamentals of Geology |
| EEES 2500 | Computer Applications in Geology |
| EEES 3210 | Earth Materials I: Mineralogy & Igneous-Metamorphic Petrology |
| EEES 3220 | Earth Materials II: Sedimentary Petrology & Stratigraphy |
| EEES 3310 | Structural Geology & Mapping |
| EEES 4610 | Introduction to Geophysics |
| EEES 4620 or 4630 | Numerical Methods or Non-invasive Field Testing |
| Total Geology hours: 20 or 19 | |
| Additional Requirements | |
| CHEM 1230 and 1260 (1 semester with laboratory) (5 hours). | |
| One or two additional courses selected from among these three departments and approved by the Advisor, sufficient to bring the | |
| Interdepartmental credit hour total: 60 semester hours. | |