| |  | | Geophysics | Link to a list of faculty for this program.
Contact Information—Department of Geology and Geophysics, University of Minnesota, 310 Pillsbury Drive S.E., Minneapolis, MN 55455 (612-624-1333; fax 612-625-3819; geology@umn.edu; www.geo.umn.edu).
Along with the program-specific requirements listed below, please read the General
Information section of this catalog for Graduate School requirements thatapply
to all major fields.
Curriculum—The geophysics major includes the areas of applied and theoretical geophysics, paleomagnetism and rock magnetism, mineral and rock physics, seismology and geostatistics. Students may accommodate other areas of interest such as earth resources, engineering geology, environmental geology, materials science, soil science, and paleoecology by choosing a minor or supporting field from outside the department.
Prerequisites for Admission—Most candidates for advanced degrees have completed a bachelor’s degree in geology, geophysics, or earth and material sciences. However, applications from students in fields such as chemistry, physics, or biology are encouraged. At least one year of calculus, chemistry, and physics are required. In general, an outstanding academic record is expected.
Special Application Requirements—A department application, the student’s statement of purpose, three letters of recommendation, and official GRE scores are required for admission and financial aid consideration. Applications for admission are considered at any time, although applications for financial aid should be submitted to the department by January 8 to ensure consideration. Studies may begin in any semester or summer session, although fall semester is preferable. IMPORTANT: Refer to the Graduate Programs section of the department Web site for a listing of all required applications materials and preferred method of submission.
Key to test abbreviations (GRE, TOEFL, GMAT, MELAB).
 For an online application or for more information about Graduate School admissions, see the General Information section in this catalog, or visit the Graduate School Web site.
Interdisciplinary Collaborations—In addition to the department’s long history of collaboration with the engineering, physical science, and math departments in the Institute of Technology, there are many organizations both within and without the University with which our faculty members collaborate in order to promote a wide range of interdisciplinary studies: Antarctic Geospatial Information Center; Bell Museum of Natural History; Department of Ecology, Evolution and Behavior; Department of Geological Sciences, Duluth Campus; History of Science and Technology; Institute for Rock Magnetism; Institute on the Environment; Institute of Technology Characterization Facility; Large Lakes Observatory, Duluth; Limnological Research Center; Macalester College; Minnesota Geological Survey; Minnesota Supercomputing Institute; National Center for Earth-surface Dynamics; Post Secondary Teaching and Learning; Quaternary Paleoecology Minor Program; Red Lake Peatland Observatory; Science Museum of Minnesota; St. Croix Watershed Research Station; Water Resource Science Program. Check the department’s Web site for a current listing of research facilities within the department of geology and geophysics.
Courses—Refer to Geology and Geophysics (Geo) in the course section of this catalog or in Twin Cities Courses on the University Catalog Web site for courses pertaining to the program. All courses must be taken at 4xxx and 5xxx, with several formal courses to be included at 8xxx.
Use of 4xxx Courses—For both the M.S. and Ph.D., typically no more than 30 percent of the total course credits are 4xxx.
| M.S. Degree Requirements | | The M.S. is offered Plan A (with thesis) and Plan B (with project). Plan A requires a minimum of 30 course credits consisting of at least 14 course credits in the major, 6 course credits in the related field, and 10 thesis credits. Plan B requires a minimum of 30 course credits consisting of at least 14 credits in the major and 8 credits in the related field. Plan C is the coursework-only option which requires a minimum of 30 course credits consisting of at least 14 credits in the major and 9 credits in the related field or a minor. Courses in the minor and related field are normally taken from outside the department, although they may be taken from within in special cases.
Language Requirements—None.
Final Exam—Plan A students must pass the final oral examination in defense of their thesis. Plan B students must pass the final oral and/or written examination.
Minor Requirements for Students Majoring in Other Fields—The master’s minor is established individually with approval by the graduate studies committee. Typically no more than 50 percent of the total course credits are 4xxx.
| Ph.D. Degree Requirements | The Ph.D. requires a minimum of 36 course credits consisting of at least 12 course credits in the minor or supporting field. In some cases, fewer than 24 credits in the major field are acceptable provided the total is at least 36. Courses in the minor and supporting program are normally taken from outside the department, although they may be taken from within in special cases.
Language Requirements—None.
Final Exam—Ph.D. students must pass the final oral examination in defense of their thesis.
Minor Requirements for Students Majoring in Other Fields—The Ph.D. minor is established individually with approval by the graduate studies committee. Typically, no more than 50 percent of the total course credits are 4xxx. |
Faculty | | For up-to-date graduate faculty listings, see <www.grad.umn.edu/faculty_rosters/step1.asp>. Key to membership categories (abbreviations after faculty names).
Professor
Subir K. Banerjee, SM
Marc Hirschmann, M2
David L. Kohlstedt, SM
Bruce M. Moskowitz, SM
Christopher Paola, M2
Justin Revenaugh, SM
James H. Stout, SM
Christian P. Teyssier, M2
Renata M. Wentzcovitch, Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, ASM
David A. Yuen, SM
Associate Professor
Karen L. Kleinspehn, M2
Assistant Professor
Joshua M. Feinberg, SM
Katsumi Matsumoto, SM
Martin Saar, SM
Senior Research Associate
Michael J. Jackson, AM2
Mark Zimmerman, AM2
Other
Val Chandler, Minnesota Geological Survey, AM2
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