Program Overview
Geophysics, B.Sc. Major
The Geophysics program is designed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the Earth's physical structure and processes. The program combines coursework in geophysics, mathematics, and physics to equip students with the skills and knowledge necessary for a career in geophysics or related fields.
Degree Requirements
To qualify for the degree, a student must complete a minimum of 120 credit hours with passing grades ('D' or better) in each course and with a minimum degree grade point average of 2.50.
Courses
The program requires the completion of the following courses:
- GEOL 1340: The Dynamic Earth
- MATH 1210: Techniques of Classical and Linear Algebra 2
- CHEM 1100: Introductory Chemistry 1: Atomic and Molecular Structure and Energetics
- CHEM 1120: Introduction to Chemistry Techniques
- One of the following: GEOL 1400, GEOL 1410, or GEOL 1420
- One of the following: PHYS 1050 or PHYS 1020
- One of the following: PHYS 1070 or PHYS 1030
- One of the following: MATH 1510 or MATH 1500
- One of the following: MATH 1710 or MATH 1700
Faculty Requirements
Students must complete all Faculty requirements as well as the University Written English and Mathematics requirement.
Minor in Another Department
Students in the B.Sc. have the opportunity to complete a Minor in a subject field that is different than that of the declared major.
Entrance to the Major
To enter a Major program in Geology, Geophysics, or Environmental Geoscience, a student must have completed at least 24 credit hours with a minimum Degree Grade Point Average of 2.50.
Continuation in the Major
A student's academic performance is assessed first with their application for admission to the Riddell Faculty and then following each term in which the student is registered.
Program Approval
A Riddell Faculty student advisor in the Faculty Dean's Office must approve a student's Major program each term.
Graduation in the Major
In order to graduate from the Geology, Geophysics, or Environmental Geoscience Major program, students must complete all degree program and faculty requirements.
Residence Requirement for Major Students
A student must successfully complete a minimum of 60 credit hours at the University of Manitoba.
Recognition of Academic Merit
To obtain a degree with distinction, a student must achieve a minimum 3.50 Degree Grade Point Average on all courses constituting the Major degree.
Earth Sciences Advanced Entry Entrance and Continuation Requirements
The following table outlines the entrance and continuation requirements for the Earth Sciences Advanced Entry program: | Degree Program | Minimum Degree GPA Entrance | Minimum Degree GPA Continuation | | --- | --- | --- | | Major (Geology, Environmental Geoscience) | 2.50 | 2.50 | | Major (Geophysics) | 2.50 | 2.50 | | Honours (Geology, Environmental Geoscience) | 3.00 | 3.00 | | Honours (Geophysics) | 2.80 | 2.80 | | General (Earth Sciences) | 2.00 | 2.00 |
Earth Sciences Graduation Requirements
The following table outlines the graduation requirements for the Earth Sciences program: | Degree Program | Minimum Degree Grade Point Average | | --- | --- | | Major (Geology, Environmental Geoscience) | 2.50 | | Major (Geophysics) | 2.50 | | Honours (Geology, Environmental Geoscience) | 3.00 | | Honours (Geophysics) | 2.80 | | General (Earth Sciences) | 2.00 |
Courses
The following courses are required for the Geophysics program:
- GEOL 2060: Introductory Geophysics
- GEOL 2440: Structural Geology 1
- GEOL 2500: Introduction to Mineralogy
- GEOL 2520: Igneous and Metamorphic Petrology
- GEOL 2530: Introductory Sedimentary Petrology and Stratigraphy
- GEOL 2800: Optics and Spectroscopy of Minerals
- MATH 2130: Engineering Mathematical Analysis 1
- MATH 2132: Engineering Mathematical Analysis 2
- 3 credit hours from the Faculty of Arts
- GEOL 3130: Communication Methods in the Geological Sciences
- GEOL 3740: Exploration Seismology
- GEOL 3810: Applied Geophysics
- GEOL 4670: Global Tectonics
- GEOL 4740: Geophysics Field Course
- GEOL 4810: Geophysical Data Analysis
- COMP 1012: Computer Programming for Scientists and Engineers
- PHYS 2600: Electromagnetic Field Theory
- MATH 3132: Engineering Mathematical Analysis 3
- 9 credit hours from the Geophysics Course Electives List
- 3 credit hours from the Physical Science Course Electives List
- 6 credit hours from the Earth Science Course Electives List
- 3 credit hours from the Faculty of Arts
- Enough elective credit to total 120 credit hours for the program
Geophysics Electives Lists
The following courses are available as electives for the Geophysics program:
Geophysics Course Electives List
- GEOL 4250: Theory and Application of Geophysical Inversion Methods
- GEOL 4320: Physics of the Earth: Seismology and Heat Flow
- GEOL 4330: Physics of the Earth: Geomagnetism and Gravity
- GEOL 4920: Technical Report
Earth Science Course Electives List
- GEOL 2390: Environmental Geology
- GEOL 2570: Energy and Mineral Resources
- GEOL 2770: Principles of Inorganic Geochemistry
- GEOL 3110: Petrogenesis of Igneous Rocks
- GEOL 3420: Engineering Geology
- GEOL 3440: Structure and Metamorphism
- GEOL 3450: Hydrogeology
- GEOL 3490: Glacial Geology
- GEOL 3750: Geology and Geophysics of the Planets
- GEOL 3900: Sedimentology
- GEOL 3910: Introduction to Field Mapping
- GEOL 4270: Advanced Studies in Earth Sciences
- GEOL 4300: Mineral Deposits
- GEOL 4360: Mineral Exploration Techniques
- GEOL 4370: Global Change
- GEOL 4380: Mineral Resource Development
- GEOL 4520: Petroleum Geology
- GEOL 4890: Basin Analysis
- GEOL 4910: Advanced Field Mapping
- ENVR 2550: Environmental Chemistry
- GEOG 2300: Atmospheric Thermodynamics, Clouds and Precipitation
- GEOG 2310: Introduction to Process Hydrology
- GEOG 2550: Geomorphology
- GEOG 2930: Introduction to Oceanography
- GEOG 3200: Introduction to Remote Sensing
- GEOG 3310: Atmospheric Dynamics, Storms and Radar
- GEOG 3320: Introduction to Microclimates and Micrometeorology
- GEOG 3730: Geographic Information Systems
- Any course from the Geophysics Course Electives List or the Physical Science Course Electives List not already taken, or any advanced level Earth Sciences, Physics or Mathematics course(s) approved by department
Physical Science Course Electives List
- ASTR 2000: Foundations of Astrophysics
- ASTR 3180: Stars
- CHEM 2600: Physical Chemistry 1
- CHEM 3600: Physical Chemistry 2
- PHYS 2152: Modern Physics for Engineers
- PHYS 2260: Optics
- PHYS 2610: Circuit Theory and Introductory Electronics
- PHYS 2650: Classical Mechanics 1
- PHYS 3630: Electro - and Magnetostatic Theory
- MECH 2262: Fundamentals of Fluid Mechanics
- Or alternate physical science course(s) approved by department
Admission to the Clayton H. Riddell Faculty of Environment, Earth, and Resources
Admission information, rules, regulations, and requirements are subject to change from year to year.
Direct Entry from High School
Eligible students may apply to enter the Clayton H. Riddell Faculty of Environment, Earth, and Resources upon completion of a high school diploma.
Admission from University 1
University 1 students are encouraged to apply for admission to a degree program in the Clayton H. Riddell Faculty of Environment, Earth, and Resources once they have completed 24 credit hours of course work and have met the minimum entrance requirements of their intended degree program.
Admission as a Transfer Student
Students applying for admission from other recognized universities or colleges are called 'transfer students'.
Admission as a Visiting Student
Visiting students may apply for admission to the Clayton H. Riddell Faculty of Environment, Earth, and Resources on the basis of a Letter of Permission from the Registrar or appropriate Dean of her/his home institution.
Admission as a Second Degree Student
Students possessing a first degree from a recognized university program with a minimum Cumulative Grade Point Average of 2.00 may be eligible for admission as a Second Degree student.
Admission as a Special Student (After Degree Students)
Students who have successfully completed a first degree from a recognized university program with a cumulative Grade Point Average of 2.00 or better are eligible for admission as Special Students.
Auditing Students
Students who wish to audit courses must have written permission from the instructor of the desired course before they can register.
Degree Regulations and Services Applicable to all Programs in the Clayton H. Riddell Faculty of Environment, Earth, and Resources
Students are required to complete a minimum number of credit hours at the University of Manitoba.
Courses Offered in Other Faculties and Schools Acceptable for Credit in the Clayton H. Riddell Faculty of Environment, Earth, and Resources
Students who are registered in the Clayton H. Riddell Faculty of Environment, Earth, and Resources may take any course offered by another faculty or school for credit towards their degree.
Available Minors in Departments and Faculties
Students in the B.A. Geography (Honours), Bachelor of Environmental Science, Bachelor of Environmental Studies, Bachelor of Science in Geology, Geophysics, and Environmental Geoscience, and Bachelor of Science in Physical Geography degree programs may, if they wish, declare and complete a Minor from departments and interdisciplinary programs in which a Minor is offered.
University Written English and Mathematics Requirement
All students are required to complete, within the first 60 credit hours of their programs, a minimum of one three credit hour course with significant content in written English, and a minimum of one three credit hour course with significant content in mathematics.
Science and Faculty of Arts Course Requirements
Students are required to take 6 credit hours from the Faculty of Arts and 6 credit hours of science coursework.
Changes in Program Requirements
Once students have successfully completed any portion of a degree program, they will not be required to meet new course requirements subsequently stipulated for that portion of the program.
Prerequisite and Corequisite Courses
If a course is a prerequisite for a second course, the prerequisite must be met in order to begin the second course.
Course Availability
All courses listed in this Calendar are not offered every year.
Repeated Courses and Attempted Credit Hours
Clayton H. Riddell Faculty of Environment, Earth, and Resources students are subject to the University of Manitoba regulations, General Academic Regulations, Academic Evaluation, Repeating a Course.
Voluntary Withdrawals
The responsibility for initiating withdrawals rests solely with the student.
Authorized Withdrawals
Students who have valid and documented reasons for withdrawal, such as medical illness or compassionate circumstances, may be authorized to withdraw without penalty.
Residence Requirement
Students are required to complete a minimum number of credit hours at the University of Manitoba.
Letter of Permission to Take Courses at Another University
Students in degree programs at this university may take courses at other recognized colleges or universities for transfer of credit.
Dean's Honour List
A student's eligibility for the Dean's Honour List designation is evaluated after each term.
Academic Warning, Probation, Academic Suspension and Special Students (Academic Standing)
Students shall be evaluated after each academic term in which they receive a final grade in a minimum of 4 credit hours.
Academic Misconduct
Academic misconduct is intentional cheating, fabrication, impersonation, or plagiarism.
Termwork and Debarment
A student is responsible for the completion of laboratory work, assignments, tests, and other class work as prescribed by the course syllabus.
Deferred (missed) Examinations
A student who is unable to write a final examination because of illness or other incapacity or compassionate reasons should contact a student advisor in the Clayton H. Riddell Faculty of Environment, Earth, and Resources.
Final Examinations
Students (with the exception of students auditing courses) are required to write all final examinations.
Hold Status
Students will be placed on "Hold Status" if they incur any type of outstanding obligation (either financial or otherwise) to the university or its associated faculties, schools, colleges, or administrative units.
Graduation and Convocation
Students may graduate from the University of Manitoba at the end of the following terms: Winter (May/June graduation date), Summer (October graduation date), and Fall (February graduation date).
Personal Information
In order to receive University mail, it is essential that you provide the Registrar's Office with your current address.