Majors Related to Applied Geophysics

Compare Four

Your second and third years have distinctive course requirements and electives.

Here we can compare four related majors through select second and third year courses.

Applied Geophysics

GE 2010 - Introduction to Geographic Information Systems

This course covers basics in geospatial science from theoretical concepts, data, models, analytical techniques, to practical usage, and applications. Topics will include: fundamental concepts of cartography and mapping systems, characteristics and structure of GIS data, database construction, introduction to GIS data sources, principles and methods in spatial analysis, spatial interpolation, mapping of spatial and applications of GIS. Course will have lab using industry standard software tools.

Credits: 3.0
Lec-Rec-Lab: (2-0-2)
Semesters Offered: Fall
Pre-Requisite(s): MA 1160 or MA 1161 or MA 1121

GE 2310 - Introduction to Petrology

Identification, physical properties, chemical composition, occurrence, and origin of the important types of igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic rocks. Laboratory includes hand specimen description and identification of rocks.

Credits: 3.0
Lec-Rec-Lab: (2-0-3)
Semesters Offered: Spring
Pre-Requisite(s): GE 2300

GE 3010 - Introduction to Field Methods

Introduction to geology field methods including maps, cross sections, navigation, GPS, field mineral and rock ID, and measurements of geologic features.

Credits: 1.0
Lec-Rec-Lab: (0-0-2)
Semesters Offered: Fall
Restrictions: May not be enrolled in one of the following Class(es): Freshman, Sophomore
Pre-Requisite(s): GE 2300 and GE 2310 and GE 3050

GE 3250 - Computational Geosciences

Introduction to quantitative analysis and display of geologic data using R/Matlab, covering basic R/Matlab syntax and programming, and analysis of one-dimensional (e.g. time series) and two-dimensional datasets (i.e. spatial data). Techniques are applied to geological datasets.

Credits: 3.0
Lec-Rec-Lab: (2-0-1)
Semesters Offered: Spring
Restrictions: May not be enrolled in one of the following Class(es): Freshman
Pre-Requisite(s): MA 1160 or MA 1161 or MA 1121

GE 3040 - Fundamentals of Applied and Environmental Geophysics

An introduction to geophysical used in applied and environmental geophysics concentrating on the fundamentals of data reduction and interpretation. This course is not only pertinent for the practicing geoscientist but also for environmental engineers, civil engineers, and others interested in learning how physics can be used to investigate Earth's substance.

Credits: 3.0
Lec-Rec-Lab: (3-0-0)
Semesters Offered: Spring
Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Class(es): Junior
Pre-Requisite(s): PH 2200

Physics

PH 2230 - Electronics for Scientists

An introduction to analog and digital electronics with an emphasis on their use in the laboratory. Topics include linear devices and basic linear circuit analysis; diodes; transistors; op-amps; the use of digital components, including logic gates, flip-flops, counters, clocks and microcontrollers, and analog to digital conversions.

Credits: 4.0
Lec-Rec-Lab: (3-0-3)
Semesters Offered: Spring
Restrictions: May not be enrolled in one of the following Major(s): Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering
Pre-Requisite(s): PH 2200 or PH 2260

PH 2260 - Honors Physics III - Electricity and Magnetism

Calculus-based introduction to electromagnetism. Topics include Coulomb's law, electric fields, Gauss's law, electric potential, capacitance, circuits, magnetic forces and fields, Ampere's law, induction, Maxwell's equations, electromagnetic waves and geometrical optics.

Credits: 4.0
Lec-Rec-Lab: (4-0-0)
Semesters Offered: Fall
Pre-Requisite(s): (PH 1160 or PH 2100) and (PH 1200(C) or PH 2261(C)) and MA 2160

PH 3110 - Theoretical Mechanics I

An intermediate study of mechanics, including the study of Newtonian mechanics of a single particle and multiple-particle systems, oscillations, motion in non-inertial reference frames, gravitation and central-force motion, and Lagrangian mechanics.

Credits: 3.0
Lec-Rec-Lab: (3-0-0)
Semesters Offered: Fall
Pre-Requisite(s): (PH 2200 or PH 2260) and (MA 3520 or MA 3521 or MA 3530 or MA 3560)

PH 3300 - Thermodynamics and Statistical Mechanics

Thermodynamic systems, heat, work, laws of thermodynamics, formal mathematical relations, cycles, phase equilibrium, and multicomponent systems. Elementary kinetic theory. Introduction to microscopic view of entropy, ensemble theory, and applications of statistical mechanics.

Credits: 3.0
Lec-Rec-Lab: (3-0-0)
Semesters Offered: Spring
Pre-Requisite(s): PH 2300 or PH 1360

PH 3410 - Quantum Physics I

An introduction to the foundations of modern physics and Schrodinger's wave mechanics. Topics include thermal radiation, particle-like properties of radiation, Bohr's model of the atom, matter waves, Schrodinger's wave mechanics, quantization of angular momentum, and the one-electron atom.

Credits: 3.0
Lec-Rec-Lab: (3-0-0)
Semesters Offered: Spring
Pre-Requisite(s): PH 2400 and (MA 3520 or MA 3521 or MA 3530 or MA 3560)

Geospatial Engineering

GE 2000 - Understanding the Earth

Introduction to materials and processes that shape the earth we live on. Lecture and laboratories acquaint students with minerals, rocks, earth resources, weathering, geologic time, landslides, groundwater, streams, shorelines, deserts, glaciers, geologic structures, earthquakes, plate tectonics, and the dynamics of the earth's crust, mantle, and core.

Credits: 3.0
Lec-Rec-Lab: (2-0-3)
Semesters Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer

SU 2220 - Route and Engineering Surveying

Study of the geometry and computations utilized in the design and construction of roads and highways. Topics include horizontal, spiral and vertical curves, alignments, centerline profiles/cross sections, grades, earthwork quantities and mass diagrams.

Credits: 3.0
Lec-Rec-Lab: (0-3-0)
Semesters Offered: Spring
Pre-Requisite(s): SU 2050 or SU 2000

SU 2050 - Geospatial Computations

Course covers the methods and techniques to observe, analyze and report field measurement data through surveying applications. Topics include horizontal and vertical control, survey data reduction, computations, computer applications, and coordinate geometry.

Credits: 4.0
Lec-Rec-Lab: (0-3-3)
Semesters Offered: Fall
Pre-Requisite(s): SU 2000(C)

FW 3540 - An Introduction to Geographic Information Systems for Natural Resource Management

The fundamentals of GIS and its application to natural resource management. Spatial data, its uses and limitations are evaluated. Students work extensively with the ARCGIS software package.

Credits: 4.0
Lec-Rec-Lab: (3-0-3)
Semesters Offered: Spring
Pre-Requisite(s): MA 2710(C) or MA 2720(C) or MA 3710(C) or ENVE 3502 or CEE 3502(C)

CMG 3200 - Site Planning and Development

An examination of land development issues including: site analysis, environmental concerns, contouring, earthwork and grading, soils, route alignments, storm water management, sewer systems, zoning, and land planning. Incorporates CAD applications in the lab.

Credits: 4.0
Lec-Rec-Lab: (0-3-2)
Semesters Offered: Spring
Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Class(es): Junior, Senior
Pre-Requisite(s): SU 2000

Environmental Data Science

CS 2321 - Data Structures

Presents fundamental concepts in data structures. Topics include abstract data types (priority queues, dictionaries and graphs) and their implementations, algorithm analysis, sorting, text processing, and object-oriented design. A significant programming project is assigned.

Credits: 3.0
Lec-Rec-Lab: (0-3-0)
Semesters Offered: Fall, Spring
Pre-Requisite(s): CS 1122 or CS 1131

DATA 1201 - Explorations in Data Science

The course introduces data science concepts using real-world examples and applications. Topics include the data science lifecycle, data science questions, data privacy, and ethics. The lab will introduce students to Linux systems, using the command line, and Python.

Credits: 2.0
Lec-Rec-Lab: (0-1-2)
Semesters Offered: Fall
Pre-Requisite(s): MA 1031(C) or MA 1032(C) or MA 1160(C) or MA 1161(C)

FW 2060 - Fundamentals of Environmental Sustainability

The four scientific principles of sustainability (reliance on solar energy, biodiversity, nutrient cycling, population control) are the foundation of the course. The course applies basic principles of physics, chemistry, and biology and a systems approach to provide students with a fundamental understanding of how the environment functions and strategies for sustaining natural resources.

Credits: 3.0
Lec-Rec-Lab: (3-0-0)
Semesters Offered: Fall

FW 3200 - Biometrics and Data Analysis

Sampling design, implementation and analysis for inventory and monitoring of attributes of stands, forests and landscapes. Includes computing skills for data entry, storage and analysis and application of statistical techniques to answer questions about ecological data.

Credits: 4.0
Lec-Rec-Lab: (3-0-3)
Semesters Offered: Spring, Summer
Pre-Requisite(s): FW 2051 and (MA 2710 or MA 2720 or MA 3710)

FW 3540 - An Introduction to Geographic Information Systems for Natural Resource Management

The fundamentals of GIS and its application to natural resource management. Spatial data, its uses and limitations are evaluated. Students work extensively with the ARCGIS software package.

Credits: 4.0
Lec-Rec-Lab: (3-0-3)
Semesters Offered: Spring
Pre-Requisite(s): MA 2710(C) or MA 2720(C) or MA 3710(C) or ENVE 3502 or CEE 3502(C)

Review Sample Plans for Course Sequences

Advisors create sample plans and flow charts to help you understand course requirements, electives, pre-requisites, and credit loads.

These depend on the year you enroll, or your audit year. Students can take courses in the summer, if needed.

Common First Year

Engineering majors have a common first year program.

Finding the right major means navigating a landscape of options. In the College of Engineering, the first year student experience is similar across majors. This allows you to complete many course requirements and still be on track if you should decide to change majors. In engineering, the first year may look like this:

Year 1 Fall

CH 1150 - University Chemistry I

Introduces the foundations of chemistry, including electronic structure of atoms and molecules, intermolecular forces, states of matter, chemical reactions, organic chemistry, chemical equilibria, kinetics, and acid-base chemistry. Includes laboratory component that emphasizes lecture components.

Credits: 3.0
Lec-Rec-Lab: (3-0-0)
Semesters Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer
Co-Requisite(s): CH 1151
Pre-Requisite(s): MA 1031(C) or MA 1032(C) or MA 1120(C) or MA 1160(C) or MA 1161(C) or MA 1135(C) or MA 1121(C) or ALEKS Math Placement >= 56 or CEEB Calculus AB >= 2 or CEEB Calculus BC >= 2 or CEEB Calculus AB Subscore >= 2 or ACT Mathematics >= 22 or SAT MATH SECTION SCORE-M16 >= 540

CH 1151 - University Chemistry Lab I

Laboratory to accompany CH1150.

Credits: 1.0
Lec-Rec-Lab: (0-0-3)
Semesters Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer
Co-Requisite(s): CH 1150
Pre-Requisite(s): MA 1031(C) or MA 1032(C) or MA 1120(C) or MA 1160(C) or MA 1161(C) or MA 1135(C) or MA 1121(C) or ALEKS Math Placement >= 56 or CEEB Calculus AB >= 2 or CEEB Calculus BC >= 2 or CEEB Calculus AB Subscore >= 2 or ACT Mathematics >= 22 or SAT MATH SECTION SCORE-M16 >= 540

GE 1100 - Geological Engineering and Sciences Orientation

Introduction to geosciences as a profession, including discussions of career opportunities and geoscience programs. Earth materials and the earth's processes are also introduced. Includes frequent field trips. Intended for freshman or sophomore students in geological engineering, geology, applied geophysics, hydrology, geotechnics, earth science teaching, or any other geoscience program.

Credits: 1.0; Graded Pass/Fail Only
Lec-Rec-Lab: (0-0-3)
Semesters Offered: Fall
Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Major(s): Geological Engineering, General Sciences and Arts, General Engineering, Mining Engineering, Applied Geophysics, Geology; May not be enrolled in one of the following Class(es): Junior, Senior

MA 1160 - Calculus with Technology I

An introduction to single-variable calculus, which includes a computer laboratory. Topics include trigonometric, exponential, and logarithmic functions, differentiation and its uses, and basic integration. Integrates symbolic tools, graphical concepts, data and numerical calculations.

Credits: 4.0
Lec-Rec-Lab: (0-3-1)
Semesters Offered: Fall
Pre-Requisite(s): ALEKS Math Placement >= 86 or CEEB Calculus AB >= 3 or CEEB Calculus BC >= 3 or CEEB Calculus AB Subscore >= 3 or ACT Mathematics >= 29 or SAT MATH SECTION SCORE-M16 >= 680

PH 1100 - Physics by Inquiry I

Experiments covering kinematics, force, conservation of momentum, conservation of energy, and waves are explored through guided construction. The course emphasizes understanding physical concepts through inquiry and the scientific method

Credits: 1.0
Lec-Rec-Lab: (0-0-2)
Semesters Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer
Pre-Requisite(s): MA 1160(C) or MA 1161(C) or MA 1121(C)

UN 1015 - Composition

Provides direct instruction in composition. Students examine and interpret communication practices and apply what they learn to their own written, aural, and visual compositions. Class projects ask students to communicate in a variety of modes and to attend to audience, purpose, and context.

Credits: 3.0
Lec-Rec-Lab: (0-3-0)
Semesters Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer
Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Class(es): Freshman

Year 1 Spring

GE 2000 - Understanding the Earth

Credits: 3.0
Lec-Rec-Lab: (2-0-3)
Semesters Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer

MA 2160 - Calculus with Technology II

Continued study of calculus, which includes a computer laboratory. Topics include integration and its uses, function approximation, vectors, and elementary modeling with differential equations.

Credits: 4.0
Lec-Rec-Lab: (0-3-1)
Semesters Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer
Pre-Requisite(s): MA 1160 or MA 1161 or MA 1135 or MA 1121 or CEEB Calculus AB >= 3 or CEEB Calculus BC >= 3 or CEEB Calculus AB Subscore >= 3

PH 1200 - Physics by Inquiry II

Experiments covering Coulomb's law, electric and magnetic fields, circuits, induction, and geometric optics are explored through guided construction. The course emphasizes understanding physical concepts through inquiry and the scientific method.

Credits: 1.0
Lec-Rec-Lab: (0-0-2)
Semesters Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer
Pre-Requisite(s): PH 1100 or PH 1111 or PH 1141 or PH 1161

PH 2100 - University Physics I-Mechanics

A calculus-based introduction to classical mechanics. Topics include kinematics, Newton's laws, impulse and momentum, work and energy, and the universal law of gravitation. C or better/AP credit in Calc 1 or co-requisite registration in PH2110 required.

Credits: 3.0
Lec-Rec-Lab: (3-0-0)
Semesters Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer
Pre-Requisite(s): PH 1100(C) and (MA 1160 or MA 1161 or MA 1121 or MA 1135) or (CEEB Calculus AB >= 3 or CEEB Calculus BC >= 3 or CEEB Calculus AB Subscore >= 3 and MA 2160(C) or MA 3160(C))

UN 1025 - Global Issues

Study of contemporary global issues, their origins, impacts, and solutions through the thematic and comparative exploration of worldview and culture, population, globalization, development, politics and global governance, environment, and sustainability. Emphasis on global literacy and information literacy.

Credits: 3.0
Lec-Rec-Lab: (3-0-0)
Semesters Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer
Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Class(es): Freshman

In this sample plan, there are only two major-related courses required during the first two semesters, GE 1100 and GE 2000. A physics major would likely take at least four physics classes in the first two semesters, so switching between physics and engineering may delay graduation by a semester or more.

Design and Research Capstone

You will have the design and research experience as a senior.

Engineering students and those in the sciences will participate in a research or design project for their capstone or senior year. Engineering students can choose Senior Design or Enterprise for their capstone initiative. A student may find a research project at any time in their undergraduate career. Applied Geophysics majors have summer field courses and advanced geophysics electives.

Applied Geophysics Summer Field Courses

GE 4090 - Field Geophysics

Introduction to field geophysical techniques including basic land surveying. Emphasizes the recording, reduction, presentation, and interpretation of gravity, magnetic, electrical, seismic, and electromagnetic data as well as the proper use, care, and calibration of equipment used to collect the data. Requires report writing. Students must provide their own transportation.

Credits: 5.0
Lec-Rec-Lab: (0-0-15)
Semesters Offered: Summer
Restrictions: Permission of department required
Pre-Requisite(s): GE 3040 and GE 3010

GE 4091 - Field Geology with Engineering Applications

Introduction to methods and problems of field geology, interpretation of field relationships, and engineering site investigation. Field areas are located in northern Michigan. Requires geological and/or engineering report and memo writing.

Credits: 5.0
Lec-Rec-Lab: (0-0-15)
Semesters Offered: Summer
Restrictions: Permission of department required
Pre-Requisite(s): GE 2000 and GE 2310 and GE 3050 and GE 3010

Applied Geophysics Advanced Geophysics Electives

GE 4250 - Fundamentals of Remote Sensing

This course focuses on the basic physics behind above- surface remote sensing and remote sensing systems. Topics covered include: properties of the atmosphere, absorption and scattering of electromagnetic radiation, instrument design, data acquisition and processing, validation, and basic applications.

Credits: 3.0
Lec-Rec-Lab: (2-1-0)
Semesters Offered: Spring
Restrictions: May not be enrolled in one of the following Class(es): Freshman, Sophomore
Pre-Requisite(s): PH 2200 and MA 2160

GE 4530 - Planetary Geology & Geophysics

Geological, geophysical, and geochemical processes in the Solar System are examined. Topics include the formation and evolution of the Solar System, planetary surface processes and water distribution, impact structures, composition, structure, and dynamics of planetary interiors, geophysical exploration of planets.

Credits: 3.0
Lec-Rec-Lab: (3-0-0)
Semesters Offered: Fall, in even years
Restrictions: May not be enrolled in one of the following Class(es): Freshman, Sophomore
Pre-Requisite(s): GE 2000 and PH 2200 and MA 2160

GE 4560 - Earthquake Seismology

Course covers fundamentals of the physics of earthquakes and seismic energy propagation, and seismic methods to determine Earth structure. Emphasis is placed on natural source techniques, with extension to exploration applications. Weekly labs apply techniques.

Credits: 3.0
Lec-Rec-Lab: (2-0-2)
Semesters Offered: Fall
Restrictions: May not be enrolled in one of the following Class(es): Freshman, Sophomore
Pre-Requisite(s): GE 3050 and PH 2100

GE 4610 - Formation Evaluation and Petroleum Engineering

Principles and practice of formation evaluation, primarily through analysis of well logs and the principles and practice of petroleum engineering. Emphasizes reservoir engineering and simulation. Students conduct projects using actual field data.

Credits: 3.0
Lec-Rec-Lab: (2-1-0)
Semesters Offered: Fall, Spring

GE 4933 - Special Topics in Geophysics

Study and discussion of geophysics topics.

Credits: variable to 5.0; Repeatable to a Max of 10
Semesters Offered: On Demand
Restrictions: Permission of instructor required

GE 4962 - Independent Geophysics Research Project

Approved literature, laboratory, and/or field geophysics research problem originated by the student or assigned by the instructor. A final report is required.

Credits: variable to 9.0; Repeatable to a Max of 9
Semesters Offered: On Demand
Restrictions: Permission of instructor required; May not be enrolled in one of the following Class(es): Freshman, Sophomore