Please note: Information on this page relates to the 2010 academic year unless otherwise specified.

On this page:

• Overview
• Undergraduate Information
• Postgraduate Information
• How To Find Out More
• Related Subjects and Careers
• List of Courses

Geophysics Website:

• www.victoria.ac.nz/geo

Overview

Geophysics offers the chance to combine a love of the outdoors with expertise in maths and physics to explore the atmosphere around us and the ground beneath our feet. Geophysicists work at understanding some of the biggest and most exciting physical phenomena we know, earthquakes, volcanoes, mountain building, the Earth's magnetism, gravity, and the deep structure of our land, New Zealand.

You can go in two directions at Victoria: up in the sky with Meteorology, the science of weather, or down inside the Earth studying Solid Earth Geophysics. You will investigate the structure and properties of the Earth, earthquakes, the Earth's magnetism and gravity, volcanic and geothermal activity, and mineral and energy resources, the Earth as a planet, the structure of the Earth's interior, and dynamical and physical meteorology.

Geophysics is a Bachelor of Science [BSc] major where you will use mathematical techniques to understand natural forces and to probe the Earth's interior and atmosphere.

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Undergraduate Information

BSc major requirements

The Geophysics major gives a broad introduction to fundamental concepts in Physics, Mathematics and Earth Sciences that are later developed in the postgraduate Geophysics programme. Most students choose between an interest in Solid Earth Geophysics or in Meteorology, although you may pursue both streams if you wish.

Geophysics - Solid Earth Geophysics*

1. MATH 142, 151, PHYS 114, 115 and either ESCI 111 or 112
2. ESCI 203, PHYS 209, 223, 15 further points of 200-level Calculus and 15 points of 200-level Algebra
3. GPHS 323, ESCI 305, 341, 344, 15 points of 300-level Applied Mathematics and 15 further approved MATH/PHYS 300-level points

Geophysics - Meteorology*

1. MATH 142, 151, PHYS 114, 115 and either ESCI 111 or 112
2. PHYS 209, 223; 15 points of 200-level Calculus, 15 points of 200-level Algebra, COMP 102
3. 30 points of 300-level Applied Mathematics and 30 points from 300-level Calculus; Operations Research and Physics

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Postgraduate Information

Postgraduate Qualifications in Geophysics

• Bachelor of Science (Honours)
• Master of Science
• PhD
• Postgraduate Diploma in Science

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How To Find Out More

You can order more information on this subject by registering on our Request for Study Material database.

Victoria's Student Recruitment and Course Advice Office  offers advice on courses and help with planning your degree.

Contact the Science Faculty Office for information on Admission, qualifications and courses, course advice and selection criteria, exemptions and prerequisites and your Application to Study.

Geophysics courses are taught within the School of Geography, Environment and Earth Sciences, Cotton Building.

Hayley Maguren

Administrator
Phone: +64-4-463 5337
Email: address

Dr Julie Vry
Programme Director
Phone: +64-4-463 6478
Email: address

Related Subjects and Careers

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List of Courses

Please note: the list below shows undergraduate-level courses only. For a complete course listing, see the list of all Geophysics courses.