Geophysics, Minor College of Letters & Science
Geophysics is the study of the physical properties and processes within and surrounding the Earth and other planets. Many problems in the Earth and Planetary Sciences require geophysical techniques for study. The minor in geophysics is designed for those Geology majors and non-Geology majors, who are interested in pursuing a graduate or professional career in geophysics, and/or those who desire a career in petroleum or civil engineering or environmental industries. The minor in geophysics may be particularly useful to those in related technical fields such as mathematics, physics, material science and engineering, who wish to apply their skills to problems in Earth science.
Students majoring in Geology may elect to complete a minor in Geophysics, Environmental Geology, or Oceanography. They may not complete a minor in Geology.
Students majoring in Marine & Coastal Science may elect to complete a minor in Geology, Geophysics, or Environmental Geology. They may not complete a minor in Oceanography.
The minor is sponsored by the Department of Earth & Planetary Sciences.
Advising
Visit the staff major advisor for help navigating minor requirements, policies, prerequisites, and course offerings. Visit the faculty major advisors for additional advice on courses, careers, and graduate school.
Work with your major advisor and college advisors to fit a minor into your overall academic plan.
Declare your minor using the OASIS Minor Declaration form, due the quarter before graduation.
Faculty Advisor
M. I. Billen
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Choose four: | 12 | |
| Risk: Natural Hazards & Related Phenomena (Discontinued for fall 2026) ** | ||
or EPS 131 | Risk, Natural Hazards, & Related Phenomena | |
| Geological Data Analysis (Discontinued for fall 2026) ** | ||
or EPS 160 | Introduction to Modeling for Earth & Environmental Science | |
| Geophysical Field Methods (Discontinued for fall 2026) ** | ||
or EPS 161 | Geophysical Field Methods | |
| Geophysics of the Solid Earth (Discontinued for fall 2026) ** | ||
or EPS 162 | Geodynamics | |
| Planetary Geology & Geophysics (Discontinued for fall 2026) ** | ||
or EPS 163 | Planetary Geology & Geophysics | |
| Choose additional courses from above and/or from the following list to reach at least 18 total units for the minor. | 6 | |
| Geotechnical Earthquake Engineering | ||
| Introduction to Water Science | ||
| Structural Geology | ||
or GEL 101 DISCONTINUED FOR FALL 2026 ** | ||
| Oceanography (Discontinued for fall 2026) ** | ||
or EPS 116 | Oceanography | |
GEL 130 | (Discontinued for winter 2026) ** | |
| Environmental Geology & Land Use Planning (Discontinued for fall 2026) ** | ||
or EPS 134 | Environmental Geology & Land Use Planning | |
GEL 142 | (Discontinued for winter 2026) ** | |
GEL 147 | (Discontinued for winter 2026) ** | |
GEL 149 | (Discontinued for winter 2026) ** | |
| Physical & Chemical Oceanography (GEL 150A Discontinued for fall 2026) ** | ||
| Geological Oceanography (Discontinued for fall 2026) ** | ||
or EPS 150B | Geological Oceanography | |
GEL 156 | (Discontinued for winter 2026) ** | |
| Groundwater Hydrology | ||
HYD 146 | (Discontinued for winter 2026) ** | |
| Total Units | 18 | |
- **
Course(s) discontinued; see your advisor for course options.