Bachelor of Science [B.S] [Applied Geophysics] From Michigan Technological University

You will also gain a rock-solid understanding of the Earth’s climatic history and paleogeography, the identification of oil and gas reserves or water supplies, and the evaluation and mitigation of natural hazards. The program’s curriculum focuses on the application of physics to studying the Earth, with the benefit of humankind and the environment at its core. Specialty areas in geophysics include the following:

• Volcanology
• Oceanography
• Natural hazards mitigation
• Remote sensing
• Geographic information system (GIS) mapping
• Natural resources (ecology and/or forestry)
• Oil or gas exploration and recovery
• Seismology

The daily duties of geoscientists, such as geophysicists, could include investigating natural phenomena and collecting data on location, interpreting the results in a lab, and writing reports. Field studies bring geoscientists to diverse landscapes around the globe—from volcanoes to oceans to oil fields. Geoscientists must have the ability to develop a picture of a field site based on limited data; therefore, sound critical-thinking skills are advantageous in this discipline. Due to the nature of their work, these professionals must adapt to a variety of situations and working conditions.

Our graduates have found work in the following areas:

• Groundwater and surface water monitoring and cleaning
• Natural-hazards mitigation
• Satellite remote sensing of environmental processes
• GIS mapping of environmental data
• Site investigations of underground hazards
• Slope failure investigations
• Oil or gas exploration and recovery
• Subsurface visualization
• Natural and induced seismicity evaluation