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Division of Geological and Planetary Sciences
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Undergraduate Requirements: Geophysics Track

In addition to the core requirements, a GPS major with a Geophysics track must include:

  1. ACM 95ab
  2. One of the following courses that was not already used to satisfy the core GPS degree requirements: Ph 2b, Ph 12b, Ph 2c, Ph 12c, ME 11a, APh 17a, Ch 21c, Ch 25
  3. 45 units of courses in advanced Science, Mathematics, or Engineering outside of GPS
  4. 51 units of GePh electives, including but not limited to: Ge 111a and Ge 111b (15 units total), Ge 160a, Ge 161-168, Ge 174, Ge 177, Ge 261, Ge 263, Ge 264, Ge 266ab, Ge 271

1 For example, E 11, or En/Wr 84.

Typical Course Schedule Units per term
1st 2nd  3rd
Second Year
Ge 11 abc Intro. to Earth and Planetary Sciences 9 9 9
Scientific Writing 3
SEC 10 Oral Presentation 3
Ph 2 abc Sophomore Physics 9 9 9
Ma 2 & Ma 3 Sophomore Mathematics 9 9
HSS electives 9 9 9
Total units 36 36 33
Third Year
ACM 95 ab Intro. to Methods of Applied Math. 12 12
Advanced Science Electives 9 9 9
HSS electives 9 9 9
Ge 111 ab Applied Geophysics Seminar 6 9
Ge 11 d Geophysics 9
Total units 18 45 39
Fourth Year
Geophysics electives 18 18 9
HSS electives 9 9 9
Total units 27 27 18

For students beginning their junior year, it is possible to complete the requirements for the geophysics option within two years, but there are benefits from starting with Ge 11 abc in the sophomore year.

Passing grades must be earned in a total of 486 units, including courses listed above. Any student whose grade-point average in science and mathematics courses is less than 1.9 at the end of an academic year may be refused permission to register in the geological and planetary science options.

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