Best Geophysics and Seismology Masters Programs in Colorado

The Geophysics offers both traditional, research-oriented graduate programs and non-thesis education programs designed to meet specific career objectives. The program of study is selected by the student, in consultation with an advisor, and with thesis committee approval, according to the student’s career needs and interests.

We are excited to announce the addition of several NEW graduate degree programs, starting in Fall 2019! Specific requirements to be published this spring. Click here to begin the application process.

Master of Science, Non-Thesis: Geophysics or Geophysical EngineeringComputational Geophysics Track Now Available.

Master of Science, Thesis and Non-ThesisHydrologic Science and Engineering: Hydrogeophysics.

Master of Science, Thesis and Non-ThesisHumanitarian Engineering: Humanitarian Geophysics.

This is a multi-disciplinary, non-thesis masters degree for students interested in working as geoscience professionals in the petroleum industry. Students gain admission to the program by application to any of the three sponsoring departments. Students are administered by that department into which they first matriculate.

Students may obtain a thesis-based Master of Science degree in either Geophysics or Geophysical Engineering. To obtain the Master of Science in Geophysical Engineering, the course work and thesis topic must meet the following requirements in addition to those associated with the Master of Science in Geophysics:.

The student’s dissertation topic must be appropriate for inclusion as part of an engineering degree.

This program is suitable for student who desire careers in research or academia. To obtain the PhD in Geophysical Engineering, the course work and thesis topic must meet the following requirements in addition to those associated with the PhD in Geophysics:.

In addition to specific professional development course requirements, and a requirement to demonstrate fluency in a language other than English, PhD students in the Geophysics must also engage in a practical teaching experience in an ongoing Mines course. This experience must take place within a single semester and involves a range of teaching methodology, including planning and delivering lectures and labs, holding office hours, and developing and grading assignments or quizzes.

We encourage you to as early as possible for the term for which you wish to be considered. Credentials may be received separately in the Office of Graduate Admissions, and will be included with submitted application file. Priority consideration for both admission and available funding is given to the earliest competitive applications to the program. Click here to begin your application process.

To be reviewed for your desired entry semester, your application must be complete, with all credentials received by the Office of Graduate Admissions, by the posted deadlines.

We require the following for applications to the Geophysics graduate program:.

The Geophysics has no minimum required test scores or GPA for admission to the graduate program. Average scores of applicants accepted into the program for 2017-2018 are:.

Applications may take several weeks to review. You will be notified by the Office of Graduate Admissions when a decision is reached.

It is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure that all credentials are received in time to meet the above deadlines. If you cannot meet the deadlines, you may contact the Graduate Admissions office to be considered for admission for a subsequent term.

The geophysics Ph.D. course requirements, residency requirements, and the requirements for the Comprehensive Examination are formulated within the regulations of the Graduate School. In case of a conflict between those documents and the requirements stated here, the rules of the Graduate School apply.

A core of graduate courses, included in the minimum of 30 semester hours required for all Ph.D. is specified for students completing the Ph.D. in geophysics. This core coursework is designed to assure competency in appropriate subject matter at the Ph.D. level.

A three-semester sequence of geophysics courses: Earth and Planetary Physics I, II, and III (course numbers 6610, 6620, and 6630, cross-listed in the Geology, Physics, and Astrophysical and Planetary Sciences Departments). These three courses do not have to be taken in any particular order. A student may petition the Geophysics Program Committee to substitute another course for one of these three core courses, but not for than one.

One semester of graduate-level applied mathematics selected from the list of Approved Math Courses on the Academics page. The student may petition the Geophysics Program Committee to substitute a comparable mathematics course for one of these courses. It is recommended, though not required, that students fulfill this requirement either before, or at the same time as, they take their first of the three core Earth and Planetary Physics courses.

The CU Graduate School requires a total of at least 30 semester credit hours. Possible additional courses could include, but are not restricted to those listed on the Academics page.

A research project, preferably involving original research, must be written up as a paper (comparable to publishable quality) and provided to the committee members 2 weeks before the oral examination, where the student will briefly present the paper and answer any questions the committee has. Such a research project may be in the student proposed thesis area but could also be in an unrelated area of geophysics. The oral exam can include basic questions of geophysics to test the student understanding of fundamental concepts. It is recommended that geophysics students complete their comps exam before the end of their 5th semester.

The proposed exam tests both geophysics knowledge as well as research skills.

By the time of the Comprehensive Examination, the student has applied for and been admitted to the Geophysics Program. Geophysics should be listed as the department on both the candidacy form and the examination report.

Graduate and Professional BulletinToggle Graduate and Professional Bulletin.

Evaluation of Graduate Students and Graduate School Appeals Procedure.

The Geophysics Concentration combines a strong foundation in geology with additional depth in geophysics, physics, mathematics, and associated quantitative and computer skills. Students in this concentration are well prepared both for employment opportunities in a wide variety of geosciences and geotechnical fields, and for subsequent graduate training that includes geophysics, seismology, geodynamics, energy exploration, environmental geophysics, space sciences, and resource management.