Geophysics Minor

Coordinator: Shane McGary
Email: mcgaryrs@jmu.edu
Phone: (540) 568-6130
Website: https://www.jmu.edu/academics/undergraduate/minors/geophysics.shtml

The minor in geophysics is designed to provide adequate training for professional work or graduate school in geophysics in the broad sense. No more than 10 credits from the geophysics minor may be used to double count with a major. The requirements for the geophysics minor are a minimum of 22 credits, including at least one semester each of geology, mathematics and physics, distributed as follows:

Introductory Course: 4 Credit Hours

Choose one of the following pairs:

GEOL 110. Physical Geology [C3NS] Credits: 3.00 and
GEOL 110L. Physical Geology Laboratory [C3L] Credits: 1.00
or
GEOL 210. Applied Physical Geology [C3NS] Credits: 3.00 and
GEOL 110L. Physical Geology Laboratory [C3L] Credits: 1.00
or
PHYS 140. College Physics I [C3PP] Credits: 3.00 and
PHYS 140L. General Physics Laboratory [C3L] Credits: 1.00
or
PHYS 240. University Physics I [C3PP] Credits: 3.00 and
PHYS 140L. General Physics Lab I [C3T1G2] 1.00

Required Courses: 15 Credit Hours

GEOL 440. Geophysics (3, 2) Credits: 4.00
GEOL 442. Field Geophysics Credits: 3.00
MATH 238. Linear Algebra with Differential Equations Credits: 4.00
MATH 248. Computers and Numerical Algorithms Credits: 4.00

Elective Courses: 3-4 Credit Hours

Choose one of the folloing courses. Additional elective courses are permitted upon approval from minor advisor.

ASTR 220. General Astronomy I: The Night Sky, the Solar System and Stars Credits: 3.00
CHEM 331. Physical Chemistry I Credits: 3.00
GEOL 410. Engineering Geology (2, 2) Credits: 3.00
GEOL 460. Hydrogeology (2, 2) Credits: 3.00
MATH 237. Calculus III Credits: 4.00
PHYS 260. University Physics III Credits: 3.00

Note for Geology Majors

The geology major requires a sequence of math and physics courses (see major program for details). The following sequence of courses will satisfy the major requirements and is strongly recommended for students interested in geophysics. In particular, MATH 236 is a prerequisite for several courses included in the geophysics minor.

MATH 235. Calculus I [C3QR] Credits: 4.00
MATH 236. Calculus II Credits: 4.00
PHYS 240. University Physics I [C3PP] Credits: 3.00 (and Lab)
PHYS 250. University Physics II Credits: 3.00 (and Lab)

Geophysics Minor

Introductory Course: 4 Credit Hours

Required Courses: 15 Credit Hours

Elective Courses: 3-4 Credit Hours

Note for Geology Majors

Total: 22-23 Credit Hours