Geophysics
Undergraduate · Physics
Syllabus focus
Topics typically covered
Standard syllabus
Earth structure
- Layered Earth model and seismic discontinuities
- Equation of state at high pressure
- Gravitational field and geoid
- Geomagnetism and dynamo theory (intro)
- Heat flow and geothermal gradients
Seismology
- Elastic wave propagation in solids
- P, S, and surface waves
- Travel-time curves and Earth tomography
- Magnitude scales and source parameters
- Plate tectonics and stress accumulation
Exploration methods
- Reflection and refraction seismology
- Gravity and magnetic anomalies
- Electrical resistivity and EM sounding
- Well logging and porosity estimation
- Remote sensing for geophysical mapping
STEM / applied
Resource and hazard applications
- Hydrocarbon exploration workflows
- Groundwater aquifer characterization
- Earthquake early warning systems
- Volcano monitoring with deformation
- Mineral prospecting case studies
Instrumentation and field practice
- Deploying broadband seismometers
- GPS geodesy for crustal motion
- Processing seismic data with ObsPy
- Noise reduction in gravimeter surveys
- Field safety in remote deployments
Climate connections
- Ice-sheet radar sounding
- Ocean circulation from satellite altimetry
- Paleoclimate proxies in geophysical records
- Carbon sequestration monitoring
- Linking geophysics to environmental policy
Study units
Each unit includes a study guide, worksheets, review, practice test, and answer key. One unit is free; subscribe for the full class.
- Earth structure
Layered Earth model and seismic discontinuities
Coming soon - Seismology
Elastic wave propagation in solids
Coming soon - Exploration methods
Reflection and refraction seismology
Coming soon
Notes
Topics reflect common upper-division physics syllabi at US colleges and universities. Prerequisites, lab pairing, and mathematical depth vary by department.