BS in Geophysics
Employment projections from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) indicate an overall 4.9% increase in geoscience jobs between 2019 and 2029, from 460,242 jobs in 2019 to 482,726 jobs in 2029. For comparison, the projected growth of the U.S. workforce over the same timeframe is expected to be 3.7%. Growth rates for individual geoscience occupations range between 0% and 8.4% for all but geoscience engineering managers (-1%).
Marketable Skills
Students will develop:
- Communication: Reach mutual understanding through effective exchange of information, ideas, and feelings
- Critical thinking: Analyze and evaluate issues in order to solve problems and develop informed opinions
- Problem-solving: Find solutions to difficult or complex issues
- Research: Be able to search, investigate and critically analyze information in response to a specific research question
- Teamwork: Participate as an effective, efficient member of a group in order to meet a common goal
- Writing: Communicate using text in a clear and concise manner
Additionally, students will learn about 3-D spatial thinking, the ability to interpret geological maps, mapping skills, sample collection, and organization skills.
Degree Plan
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| University Core Curriculum | ||
| Complete the University Core Curriculum requirements. | 42 | |
| Geophysics Major Requirements | ||
| Supporting Math/Science courses | ||
| CHEM 1105 | Laboratory for CHEM 1305 | 1 |
| CHEM 1106 | Laboratory for CHEM 1306 | 1 |
| CHEM 1305 | General Chemistry | 3 |
| CHEM 1306 | General Chemistry | 3 |
| MATH 1411 | Calculus I | 4 |
| MATH 1312 | Calculus II | 3 |
| MATH 2313 | Calculus III | 3 |
| MATH 2326 | Differential Equations | 3 |
| PHYS 2230 | Thermal and Fluid Physics | 2 |
| PHYS 2320 & PHYS 2120 | Introductory Mechanics and Laboratory for PHYS 2320 | 4 |
| PHYS 2321 & PHYS 2121 | Introductory Electromagnetism and Laboratory for PHYS 2321 | 4 |
| Geophysics Required Courses | ||
| GEOL 1313 & GEOL 1103 | Intro to Physical Geology and Lab for GEOL 1313 | 4 |
| OR | ||
| Principles of Earth Sciences and Principles of Earth Sci - Lab | ||
| AND ONE OF | ||
| GEOL 1314 & GEOL 1104 | Intro to Historical Geol and Lab for GEOL 1314 | 4 |
| OR | ||
| Principles of Earth Science and Laboratory for Geology 1212 | ||
| Required Courses: | ||
| GEOL 2309 & GEOL 2109 | Mineralogy & Petrology and Mineralogy & Petrology Lab | 4 |
| GEOL 3312 & GEOL 3112 | Geoscience Processes and Geoscience Processes Lab | 4 |
| GEOL 3215 & GEOL 3115 | Igneous/Metamorphic Petrology and Igneous/Metamorphic Petr. Lab | 3 |
| GEOL 3323 & GEOL 3123 | Structural Geology and Structural Geology Lab | 4 |
| GEOL 3326 & GEOL 3126 | Sedimentology & Stratigraphy and Lab for Sedim & Stratigraphy | 4 |
| GEOL 4375 | Field Geology I | 3 |
| GEOP 3320A | Introduction to Geophysics | 3 |
| GEOP 3320B | Data Interp in the Geosciences | 3 |
| GEOP 4420A | Applied GeophysicsI-Nonseismic | 4 |
| GEOP 4420B | Applied Geophysics II-Seismic | 4 |
| GEOP 4350 | Field Geophysics | 3 |
| Geophysics Electives | ||
| Select nine hours of upper division courses from CS, Engineering, GEOL, GEOP, MATH, STAT, or PHYS | 9 | |
| Total Hours | 120 | |
University Core Curriculum
The department may make specific suggestions for courses which are most applicable towards your major.
All courses require a C or better
I. Communication (six hours)
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| The objective of the communication component is to enable the student to communicate effectively in clear and correct prose or orally in a style appropriate to the subject, occasion, and audience. | ||
| Select six hours of the following: | 6 | |
| For students whose secondary education was in English: | ||
| Written and Oral Communication | ||
| Writing About Literature | ||
| Rhetoric & Composition I | ||
| Rhetoric & Composition 2 | ||
| Rhetoric, Composition & Comm | ||
| For students whose secondary education was not in English: | ||
| Expos Engl Compos-Spkr Esl | ||
| Res & Crit Writng Spkr Esl | ||
| Total Hours | 6 | |
II. American History (six hours)
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| The objectives of the history component are to expand students’ knowledge of the origin and history of the U.S., their comprehension of the past and current role of the U.S. in the world, and their ability to critically evaluate and analyze historical evidence. U.S. history courses (three hours must be Texas history) include: | ||
| HIST 1301 | History of U.S. to 1865 | 3 |
| HIST 1302 | History of U.S. Since 1865 | 3 |
| Total Hours | 6 | |
III. Language, Philosophy & Culture (three hours)
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| The objective of the humanities component is to expand students' knowledge of the human condition and human cultures, especially in relation to behaviors, ideas, and values expressed in works of human imagination and thought. Through study in disciplines such as literature and philosophy, students engage in critical analysis and develop an appreciation of the humanities as fundamental to the health and survival of any society. | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Intro-African Amer Studies | ||
| Latina/o Presence in the U.S. | ||
| English Literature | ||
| English Literature | ||
| Intro to American Fiction | ||
| Intro to American Drama | ||
| Intro to American Poetry | ||
| Making of the "Other" Americas | ||
| World History to 1500 | ||
| World History Since 1500 | ||
| Introduction to Philosophy | ||
| Ethics | ||
| Introduct to Religious Studies | ||
| Seeing & Naming: Conversations | ||
| Introduction to Womens Studies | ||
| Global Feminisms | ||
| Total Hours | 3 | |
IV. Mathematics (three hours)
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| The objective of the mathematics component is to develop a quantitatively literate college graduate. Every college graduate should be able to apply basic mathematical tools in the solution of real-world problems. | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| College Algebra | ||
| Trigonometry and Conics | ||
| Math in the Modern World | ||
| Math for Social Sciences I | ||
| Calculus I | ||
| Precalculus 1,2 | ||
| Math for Social Sciences II | ||
| Statistical Literacy | ||
| Elementary Statistical Methods | ||
| 1 A higher-level course in the calculus sequence can be substituted. | ||
| 2 TCCN MATH 1314 will also satisfy this requirement. | ||
| Total Hours | 3 | |
V. Life & Physical Sciences (six hours)
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| The objective of the study of the natural sciences is to enable the student to understand, construct, and evaluate relationships in the natural sciences, and to enable the student to understand the bases for building and testing theories. The courses listed are for non-majors; the major courses in the discipline can be substituted for the non-major sequence. A minimum of two semesters of lecture and one semester of laboratory associated with one of the courses, or two semesters of combined (3 credit) lecture-laboratory courses (Only six hours apply toward the required 42.): | ||
| Select one of the following: | 1-4 | |
| Astronomy Lab I | ||
| Elem Astronomy-Solar System | ||
| Elem Astr Stars & Galaxies | ||
| Introductory Biology Lab | ||
| Human Biology Laboratory | ||
| Topics in Study of Life I | ||
| Organismal Biology Laboratory | ||
| Introductory Biology | ||
| Human Biology | ||
| General Biology | ||
| Organismal Biology | ||
| Human Anat/Physio Lab I | ||
| Human Anat/Physio Lab II | ||
| Human Anat/Physiology I | ||
| Human Anat/Physiology II | ||
| Laboratory for CHEM 1305 | ||
| Laboratory for CHEM 1306 | ||
| Intro General Chemistry Lab | ||
| Intro Organic & Biochem Lab | ||
| General Chemistry | ||
| General Chemistry | ||
| Intro to General Chemistry | ||
| Intro Organic & Biochemistry | ||
| Environmental Sci. Lab | ||
| Non-major Lab for ESCI 1301 | ||
| Intro to Environment Science 2 | ||
| Intro to Environmental Sci | ||
| Laboratory for GEOG 1306 | ||
| Physical Geography | ||
| Lab for GEOL 1313 | ||
| Lab for GEOL 1314 | ||
| Principles of Earth Sci - Lab | ||
| Laboratory for Geology 1212 | ||
| Principles of Earth Sciences | ||
| Principles of Earth Science | ||
| The Blue Planet | ||
| Natural Hazards | ||
| Intro to Physical Geology | ||
| Intro to Historical Geol | ||
| Fundamentals of Nutrition | ||
| Wellness Dynamics | ||
| Microorganisms and Disease | ||
| General Physics I | ||
| General Physics II | ||
| Laboratory for PHYS 2320 | ||
| Laboratory for PHYS 2321 | ||
| Introductory Mechanics | ||
| Introductory Electromagnetism | ||
| Total Hours | 6 | |
VI. Political Science (six hours)
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| The objectives of the political science component are to expand students’ knowledge of the origin and evolution of the U.S. and Texas political systems, focusing on the growth of political institutions, and on the constitutions of Texas and the United States; and to enhance their understanding of federalism, states rights, and individual civil liberties, rights, and responsibilities. | ||
| Required Courses: | ||
| POLS 2310 | Introduction to Politics | 3 |
| POLS 2311 | American Gover & Politics | 3 |
| Total Hours | 6 | |
VII. Social and Behavioral Sciences (three hours)
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| The objective of the social and behavioral science component is to increase students' knowledge of how social and behavioral scientists discover, describe, and explain the behaviors and interactions among individuals, groups, institutions, events, and ideas. Such knowledge will better equip students to understand themselves and the roles they play in addressing the issues facing humanity. | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Intro-Phys Anth/Archeolog | ||
| Intro-Cultural Anthropology | ||
| Cultural Geography | ||
| Intro to Linguistics | ||
| Econ for Engrs & Scientists | ||
| Asian American Studies | ||
| Interpersonal Communication | ||
| Mass Media and Society | ||
| Principles of Macroeconomics | ||
| Principles of Microeconomics | ||
| Introduction to Ed Psychology | ||
| Action Research in Classrooms | ||
| Introduction to Linguistics | ||
| Cultural Geography | ||
| Community Service | ||
| An Intro. to Linguistics | ||
| Lang. Inside & Out: Sel Topics | ||
| Introduction to Psychology | ||
| Introduction to Sociology | ||
| Cultural Geography | ||
| Total Hours | 3 | |
VIII. Creative Arts (three hours)
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| The objective of the visual and performing arts component is to expand students' knowledge and appreciation of the human imagination as expressed through works of visual art, dance, music, theatre and film. Through study in these disciplines, students will form aesthetic judgments and develop an appreciation of the arts as fundamental to the health and survival of any society. | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Art Appreciation | ||
| History of Art I | ||
| History of Art II | ||
| Chicana/o Fine Arts Appreciat | ||
| Dance Appreciation | ||
| Intro-Art of Motion Pict. | ||
| Music Appreciation | ||
| Jazz to Rock | ||
| Music, Culture, and Society | ||
| Introduction to Theatre | ||
| Total Hours | 3 | |
IX. Component Area Option (six hours)
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| The objective of the institutionally designated option component is to develop the critical thinking skills and academic tools required to be an effective learner. Special emphasis is placed on the use of technology in problem-solving, communications, and knowledge acquisition. | ||
| Select two of the following: | 6 | |
| Intro to Global Business | ||
| Public Speaking | ||
| Business/Profession Comm | ||
| Intro-Computational Thinking | ||
| Computer Programming Sci/Engr | ||
| Eng Innovation and Leadership | ||
| Introduction to Leadership | ||
| Inquiry in Math & Science | ||
| Seminar/Critical Inquiry | ||
| Total Hours | 6 | |
Bachelor of Science in Geophysics (Starting with Calculus)
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Bachelor of Science in Geophysics (Starting with Calculus) | ||
| FRESHMAN | ||
| Fall | ||
| GEOL 1313 & GEOL 1103 | Intro to Physical Geology and Lab for GEOL 1313 | 4 |
| MATH 1411 | Calculus I | 4 |
| RWS 1301 | Rhetoric & Composition I | 3 |
| UNIV 1301 | Seminar/Critical Inquiry | 3 |
| Spring | ||
| CHEM 1305 & CHEM 1105 | General Chemistry and Laboratory for CHEM 1305 | 4 |
| GEOL 1314 & GEOL 1104 | Intro to Historical Geol and Lab for GEOL 1314 | 4 |
| MATH 1312 | Calculus II | 3 |
| RWS 1302 | Rhetoric & Composition 2 | 3 |
| SOPHOMORE | ||
| Fall | ||
| CHEM 1306 & CHEM 1106 | General Chemistry and Laboratory for CHEM 1306 | 4 |
| GEOL 2309 & GEOL 2109 | Mineralogy & Petrology and Mineralogy & Petrology Lab | 4 |
| GEOL 3312 & GEOL 3112 | Geoscience Processes and Geoscience Processes Lab | 4 |
| PHYS 2320 & PHYS 2120 | Introductory Mechanics and Laboratory for PHYS 2320 | 4 |
| Spring | ||
| Creative Arts Area | 3 | |
| HIST 1301 | History of U.S. to 1865 | 3 |
| MATH 2313 | Calculus III | 3 |
| GEOL 3215 & GEOL 3115 | Igneous/Metamorphic Petrology and Igneous/Metamorphic Petr. Lab | 3 |
| GEOP 3320A | Introduction to Geophysics | 3 |
| JUNIOR | ||
| Fall | ||
| HIST 1302 | History of U.S. Since 1865 | 3 |
| MATH 2326 | Differential Equations | 3 |
| PHYS 2321 & PHYS 2121 | Introductory Electromagnetism and Laboratory for PHYS 2321 | 4 |
| GEOL 3323 & GEOL 3123 | Structural Geology and Structural Geology Lab | 4 |
| GEOL 3326 & GEOL 3126 | Sedimentology & Stratigraphy and Lab for Sedim & Stratigraphy | 4 |
| Spring | ||
| COMM 1302 | Business/Profession Comm | 3 |
| GEOP 3320B | Data Interp in the Geosciences | 3 |
| PHYS 2230 | Thermal and Fluid Physics | 2 |
| POLS 2310 | Introduction to Politics | 3 |
| Social & Behavioral Sciences Area | 3 | |
| SENIOR | ||
| Fall | ||
| GEOL 4375 | Field Geology I | 3 |
| GEOP 4420A | Applied GeophysicsI-Nonseismic | 4 |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Language, Philosophy and Culture Area | 3 | |
| Spring | ||
| GEOL 4350 | 3 | |
| GEOP 4420B | Applied Geophysics II-Seismic | 4 |
| POLS 2311 | American Gover & Politics | 3 |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Total Hours | 120 | |
Bachelor of Science in Geophysics (Starting with Pre-Calculus)
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Bachelor of Science in Geophysics (Starting with Pre-Calculus) | ||
| FRESHMAN | ||
| Fall | ||
| GEOL 1313 & GEOL 1103 | Intro to Physical Geology and Lab for GEOL 1313 | 4 |
| MATH 1508 | Precalculus | 5 |
| RWS 1301 | Rhetoric & Composition I | 3 |
| UNIV 1301 | Seminar/Critical Inquiry | 3 |
| Spring | ||
| CHEM 1305 & CHEM 1105 | General Chemistry and Laboratory for CHEM 1305 | 4 |
| GEOL 1314 & GEOL 1104 | Intro to Historical Geol and Lab for GEOL 1314 | 4 |
| MATH 1411 | Calculus I | 4 |
| RWS 1302 | Rhetoric & Composition 2 | 3 |
| SOPHOMORE | ||
| Fall | ||
| CHEM 1306 & CHEM 1106 | General Chemistry and Laboratory for CHEM 1306 | 4 |
| GEOL 2309 & GEOL 2109 | Mineralogy & Petrology and Mineralogy & Petrology Lab | 4 |
| GEOL 3312 & GEOL 3112 | Geoscience Processes and Geoscience Processes Lab | 4 |
| MATH 1312 | Calculus II | 3 |
| PHYS 2320 & PHYS 2120 | Introductory Mechanics and Laboratory for PHYS 2320 | 4 |
| Spring | ||
| Creative Arts Area | 3 | |
| MATH 2313 | Calculus III | 3 |
| GEOL 3215 & GEOL 3115 | Igneous/Metamorphic Petrology and Igneous/Metamorphic Petr. Lab | 3 |
| GEOP 3320A | Introduction to Geophysics | 3 |
| HIST 1301 | History of U.S. to 1865 | 3 |
| JUNIOR | ||
| Fall | ||
| GEOL 3323 & GEOL 3123 | Structural Geology and Structural Geology Lab | 4 |
| GEOL 3326 & GEOL 3126 | Sedimentology & Stratigraphy and Lab for Sedim & Stratigraphy | 4 |
| HIST 1302 | History of U.S. Since 1865 | 3 |
| MATH 2326 | Differential Equations | 3 |
| PHYS 2321 & PHYS 2121 | Introductory Electromagnetism and Laboratory for PHYS 2321 | 4 |
| Spring | ||
| COMM 1302 | Business/Profession Comm | 3 |
| GEOP 3320B | Data Interp in the Geosciences | 3 |
| PHYS 2230 | Thermal and Fluid Physics | 2 |
| POLS 2310 | Introduction to Politics | 3 |
| Social & Behavioral Sciences Area | 3 | |
| SENIOR | ||
| Fall | ||
| GEOL 4375 | Field Geology I | 3 |
| GEOP 4420A & GEOP 4420B | Applied GeophysicsI-Nonseismic and Applied Geophysics II-Seismic | 8 |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Language, Philosophy and Culture Area | 3 | |
| Spring | ||
| GEOL 4350 | 3 | |
| POLS 2311 | American Gover & Politics | 3 |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Total Hours | 125 | |