Geophysics, _MSc

Semester 1

Compulsory Courses

Earth Physics, Structure and Processes (GL5036)

15 Credit Points

This course aims to develops students' understanding of the fundamentals of Earth’s structure and geodynamic processes, introducing geological concepts to those from a more physics-based background, and fundamental physics to those from a geoscience background. By the end of this course students will be able to explain how Earth's structure and processes are governed by the underlying physics, and describe how the Earth deforms and the consequences of this on the surface of the Earth. This course will also develop students' coding skills and give them experience in reading scientific papers and in scientific writing.

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Near Surface & Environmental Geophysics (GL5059)

15 Credit Points

This module focuses on the application of geophysical techniques for solving near surface environmental problems. It covers basic theory and practical aspects of modern data collection for near surface magnetic, gravity, resistivity, electro-magnetic (EM), ground penetrating radar (GPR) and seismic refraction, along with case study examples of application to the assessment and monitoring of a range of scientific and technical environmental problems including water resources, geotechnics, contaminated lands, civil engineering, mining, geothermal resources, archaeology. The module will be taught so that the students will be equipped to plan and undertake their own geophysical experiments focusing on a variety of near surface geophysical targets. The use of a variety of geophysical equipment in the field will form a significant component of this module.

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Time Series Analysis and Inverse Theory (GL5060)

15 Credit Points

This module is designed to give students a range of computational skills associated with time-series analysis and inverse theory. The module content will be delivered in the form of lectures, practicals and webinars.

Time series analysis and inverse theory is of paramount importance in exploration geophysics and computational sciences. The students will get familiar with signal processing and optimisation. This will open up multiple career paths in geoscience and STEM in general.

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Seismology and Earth Imaging (GL5061)

15 Credit Points

Modern seismology is wide-ranging and encompasses topics such as earthquake and tsunami hazard, the structure and dynamics of the Earth and other terrestrial planets, exploration for hydrocarbon and minerals, monitoring of micro-seismicity for a variety of purposes (carbon sequestration, induced fracturing and aftershock surveys) and even ocean circulation and weather variations. This course will teach the fundamentals of modern seismology, from exploration to the solid Earth, and will include a component on seismic imaging, which is the premier tool for illuminating Earth structure from small to large scales.

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Semester 2

Compulsory Courses

Borehole Geophysics and 4d Reservoir Monitoring (GL5538)

15 Credit Points

Borehole Geophysics provides critically important information about the subsurface through well logging and core analysis. This course will cover the fundamentals of Petrophysics and its use in the analysis of cores and geophysical well logs for reservoir characterisation and hydrocarbon assessment.

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Seismic Reflection Acquisition and Processing (GL5545)

15 Credit Points

This module will cover on the most important essentials of reflection seismics: from basic to advanced information on how seismic data are acquired and processed to generate images of the subsurface. Practical exercises involving processing of seismic reflection data will form a significant part of the curriculum with the aim of familiarising students with key industry software packages.

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Applied, Industry and Research Geophysics (GL5546)

15 Credit Points

This module will take students to the boundaries of applied geophysics. The course content is drawn from recent high-impact academic research, advanced industry geophysics case studies, dedicated applied geophysics training and PhD research skills. It provides skills that open up career paths to graduates both within and outside the resource industries. The balance between topics may shift from year to year in response to changing patterns of research and changing employer demand.

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Machine Learning in Geophysics (GL5709)

15 Credit Points

This module is designed to give students a range of skills associated with data-driven approaches and machine learning. Machine learning has revolutionised numerous scientific fields and it has begun to change the paradigm in geosciences by providing real-time solutions to non-trivial and computationally intense problems. Throughout the module the students will become familiar with the basic concepts and tools of machine learning. This will open up multiple career paths in geoscience and STEM in general.

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Semester 3

Compulsory Courses

Project in Geophysics (GL5910)

60 Credit Points

This course provides the student an opportunity to design and execute the workflow of the data treatment (including in exceptional cases the possible of acquisition), processing, analysis and modelling, and interpretation of a geophysical dataset in the context of Earth structure or processes and/or exploration goals relevant to resource industries. The project is an extended, independent, self-directed, piece of practical work integrating and reinforcing the material taught on the course, and giving a detailed insight into the demands of, and ways of working in academia or industry.

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