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Go to: Program Requirements
Degree Programs. Several different degree programs have been developed by
the Department of the Geophysical Sciences. Four of these programs provide a
strong background in the geophysical sciences with special emphasis on (1)
mineralogy, petrology, and geochemistry; (2) meteorology, oceanography, and
climate dynamics; (3) paleontology and stratigraphy; or (4) solid earth
geophysics. Another program offers a broad exposure to the geophysical
sciences. Certain areas of the geophysical sciences require a strong background
in chemistry, physics, or mathematics. For this reason, students are encouraged
to consult with the departmental counselor to develop strong degree programs
through the wise use of electives. In addition to consulting the departmental
counselor, interested students should examine the Student Handbook of
the Department of the Geophysical Sciences.
Students planning to concentrate in the geophysical sciences should take
Chemistry 111-112-113 or higher in their first year to satisfy the Common Core
requirement in the physical sciences. Geophysical Sciences 131-132-133, usually
taken in the second year along with Physics 121-122-123 (General Physics) or
higher, is the normal entry into the concentration program, although qualified
students (to be determined by the departmental counselor) may begin their study
in this area at the 200 level. There are several paths to the bachelor's degree
in geophysical sciences. Careful planning is essential because nine courses in
geophysical sciences are required for this degree. Due to the complexity of
program requirements, all students interested in concentrating in the
geophysical sciences should consult the departmental counselor during their
first and second years in the College to discuss their programs and to insure
that all prerequisites are satisfied.
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General Chem 111-112-113 or higher
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.
First year General chem. General chem. General chem.
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
Fourth year GeoSci elective GeoSci elective GeoSci elective
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ALFRED T. ANDERSON, JR., Professor, Department of the Geophysical Sciences and
the College
DAVID ARCHER, Assistant Professor, Department of the Geophysical Sciences
VICTOR BARCILON, Professor, Department of the Geophysical Sciences and the
College
ROBERT N. CLAYTON, Enrico Fermi Distinguished Service Professor, Departments of
Chemistry and the Geophysical Sciences, Enrico Fermi Institute, and the
College
PETER R. CRANE, Professor, Department of the Geophysical Sciences; Lecturer,
Committee on Evolutionary Biology and the College
MICHAEL J. FOOTE, Associate Professor, Department of the Geophysical Sciences
and the College
JOHN E. FREDERICK, Professor, Department of the Geophysical Sciences and the
College; Chairman, Department of the Geophysical Sciences
LAWRENCE GROSSMAN, Professor, Department of the Geophysical Sciences, Enrico
Fermi Institute, and the College
DION L. HEINZ, Associate Professor, Department of the Geophysical Sciences,
James Franck Institute, and the College
DAVID JABLONSKI, Professor, Department of the Geophysical Sciences, Committee
on Evolutionary Biology, and the College
CHRISTINE JANIS, Visiting Professor, Department of the Geophysical Sciences and
the College
SUSAN M. KIDWELL, Professor, Department of the Geophysical Sciences, Committee
on Evolutionary Biology, and the College
MICHAEL C. LABARBERA, Professor, Departments of Organismal Biology &
Anatomy and the Geophysical Sciences and the College
DOUGLAS R. MACAYEAL, Professor, Department of the Geophysical Sciences and the
College
GREGORY H. MILLER, Assistant Professor, Department of the Geophysical Sciences
and the College
PAUL B. MOORE, Professor, Department of the Geophysical Sciences
NOBORU NAKAMURA, Assistant Professor, Department of the Geophysical Sciences
Go to top of document ROBERT C. NEWTON, Professor, Department of the Geophysical Sciences and the
College
EDWARD J. OLSEN, Research Associate (Professor), Department of the Geophysical
Sciences
RAYMOND T. PIERREHUMBERT, Professor, Department of the Geophysical Sciences
FRANK M. RICHTER, Sewell Avery Distinguished Service Professor, Department of
the Geophysical Sciences and the College
DAVID B. ROWLEY, Associate Professor, Department of the Geophysical Sciences
and the College
J. JOHN SEPKOSKI, JR., Professor, Departments of the Geophysical Sciences and
Organismal Biology & Anatomy, Committee on Evolutionary Biology, and the
College
JOSEPH V. SMITH, Louis Block Professor, Department of the Geophysical Sciences
and the College
RAMESH C. SRIVASTAVA, Professor, Department of the Geophysical Sciences and the
College
STEPHEN M. WICKHAM, Assistant Professor, Department of the Geophysical
Sciences, Enrico Fermi Institute, and the College
ALFRED M. ZIEGLER, Professor, Department of the Geophysical Sciences and the
College
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Go to: Summary of Requirements
Go to: Faculty
Geophysical Sciences
Departmental Counselor: Douglas R. MacAyeal, HGS 413, 702-8027
Departmental Office: HGS 161, 702-8101
Program of Study
The Department of the Geophysical Sciences offers unique programs for students
who wish to study broad problems of the earth and the solar system. These
problems include the physics, chemistry, and dynamics of the atmosphere,
oceans, and ice sheets; climate change; the origin and history of the earth,
moon, and meteorites; properties of the deep interior of the earth and the
dynamics of crustal movements; and the evolution of life through geologic time.
They require modern methods of study founded on the basic sciences of
mathematics, physics, chemistry, and biology.
Program Requirements
With proper choice of electives, the degree of Bachelor of Arts with
concentration in the geophysical sciences is the normal avenue of approach to
graduate work in the department or in other institutions in which geophysics is
broadly conceived. The program of study is based upon fundamental courses in
the basic sciences, followed by more specialized courses in the geophysical
sciences. The core of the program is the introductory sequence, Geophysical
Sciences 131-132-133. This one-year course serves a twofold purpose. It
presents a unified picture of the earth as seen by modern methods of
exploration, and it prepares students for further study in the geophysical
sciences. Students interested in taking this sequence should check with the
departmental counselor. Students may also enter the program by substituting
Physical Sciences 108-109-110 (grade of B or better) for Geophysical
Sciences 131-132-133.
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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.
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 (total) Autumn Winter Spring Summer
(if not taken
in 2nd year)
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Faculty
JONATHAN P. D. ABBATT, Assistant Professor, Department of the Geophysical
Sciences
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