SYLLABUS - 2005
EEES 4610-071 - INTRODUCTION TO GEOPHYSICS (WAC)
EEES-001 5610 - SOLID EARTH GEOPHYSICS
Dr. Don Stierman - 3028 BOL
(extension 2860)
LECTURES: Monday & Wednesday, 9 to 9:50 AM (3045 BOL).
LABORATORY: M, 1 to 2:50 PM, 3045 BOL (Field labs, 1 to possibly 5 PM).
Office hours: M 10 – 1; T and R 10 to 11. Dr.D.'s weekly calendar
Prerequisites: College physics and calculus, Geology 332 (Structural Geology) or permission of instructor. Students are expected to know basic algebra, exponents and logarithms, plane geometry, geometry of regular solid shapes, basic trigonometry (use of sine, cosine, tangent functions and their inverses), and how to integrate and differentiate polynomials and simple sine and cosine functions. Students are expected to have mastered the use of scientific (exponential) notation, dimensional analysis (the use of units with measurements and within calculations), basic laws of kinematics and optics, and the use of the scientific hand calculator. Students are expected to use word processors, spreadsheets (Excel) and Surfer, use e-mail to transfer files, download materials from the WorldWide Web, and to construct maps and cross sections consistent with standard geological practices.
Outcomes: students will learn to make basic geophysical measurements with the gravity meter and the proton precession magnetometer, and participate in deploying the engineering seismograph, supported by the electronic total station and GPS receivers, in the field. Students will learn to process, display and interpret gravity, magnetic and seismic data (measurements). Students will learn fundamental geophysical principles involving gravity, geomagnetism, and seismology, and how to apply these principles in new and different situations. Students will learn to write professional reports that document procedures used in data collection, processing and interpretation, and that explain the physical significance of information obtained through their measurements. Students will develop problem-solving strategies.
Text: Applied Geophysics by Telford, Geldart and Sheriff. This is also the text for Geology 4620 and 4630.
Additional references (texts you may find useful for supplementary reading):
DeBremaecker: Geophysics - The Earth's Interior
Sharma: Geophysical Methods in Geology
Sheriff: Geophysical Methods
Robinson & Coruh: Basic Exploration Geophysics
Dobrin & Savit: Introduction to Geophysical Prospecting
Ward (Editor): Geotechnical and Environmental Geophysics (3 volumes)
Periodicals: It takes 3 to 5 years or more for the latest geophysical advances to reach textbooks. You should make a habit of reading journals in your area of interest. Thesis topics are often discovered while reading the current literature. I read the following: Journal of Geophysical Research (aka "JGR"), Geophysical Research Letters, Geophysics, Bulletin of the Seismological Society of America (aka "BSSA") and Science.
Student membership is available in the Society of Exploration Geophysicists for about $18/year, which includes subscriptions (on-line) to the journals Geophysics and The Leading Edge. If you strive for a career in the exploration sector, you should join either the SEG or the AAPG to show your professional interest and to get your name on lists of student members. Check out the SEG Web site and download a membership form.
You will need a "scientific" hand calculator (trig functions, log, ln, etc.) for tests and field.
Evaluation: final grades will be based on (almost) weekly laboratory reports (50%), homeworks (25%), a midterm quiz (10%), a final exam (10%), and professional attitude (5%). If all assignments and homework problems are submitted complete, correct (or showing adequate effort) and on time, there will be no final exam.
Minimum requirements for C: punctual and present for lectures and laboratories, submit adequate lab reports and homework attempts on time, attempt midterm and final exams.
Minimum requirements for B: all of the above plus demonstrated ability in lab reports, homework and exams to use appropriate mathematical operations in solving problems, processing data and interpreting geophysical anomalies.
Minimum requirements for A: all of the above plus demonstrated ability to integrate various elements of geological, geophysical and mathematical knowledge in developing realistic geological models based on geophysical measurements; consistently aware of assumptions upon which geophysical models are based and thus avoiding or pointing out pitfalls that may be present; recognize and avoid inconsistencies in solving problems and drawing conclusions based on geophysical measurements; correct use of significant figures on maps and graphs and when expressing conclusions; demonstrated ability to apply knowledge in new and different situations (problem solving).
Final grades will include the use of "+" and "-" to modify letter grades and the quality points calculated. Homework is due 7 days after are assigned, unless otherwise noted. Late reports and homework will be reduced in grade 1 full level; i.e., a late "B" quality report will be credited with a grade of "C". Missing work at the end of the term will result in a final grade reduction.
If you locate and read this page on or before August 19, please send me a message. I will be favorably impressed by your locating this information.