- WWW Resources
- Catalog Description
- 594 Introduction to Applied Geophysics.
- Course Prerequisite(s)
- 1 year of college calculus
- 1 year of college physics
- Prerequisite knowledge and/or skills
-
Students are expected to have a basic background in physics and calculus, such as that provided by the prerequisites listed above. A general knowledge of geologic materials and structures will also help.
- Textbook(s) and/or other required material
-
Textbook:
Burger, R.H., Sheehan, A., and Jones, C. (2006) Introduction to Applied Geophysics, W.W. Norton, 544 pages.
- Course objectives
-
This course develops students' knowledge of the basic physics underlying different applied geophysical methods and how the methods are used for exploration and characterization.
-
The course provides an overview of the field procedures employed to collect different types of geophysical data.
-
This course provides an introduction to the techniques employed to interpret geophysical data collected for applied and engineering purposes.
- Topics covered
-
The gravity method
-
The magnetic method
-
The seismic reflection and refraction methods
-
The electrical resistivity and electromagnetic methods
-
The ground penetrating radar method
- Class/laboratory schedule
-
Two 75-minute sessions each week
- Contribution of course to meeting the professional component
- This course contributes primarily to the students' knowledge of engineering topics, but does not provide design experience.
The following statement indicates which of the following considerations are included in this course: economic, environmental, ethical, political, societal, health and safety, manufacturability, sustainability.
-
-
Course considers applied geophysical methods in an economic sense in terms of their use for resource exploration and evaluation.
-
Course considers applied geophysical methods in an environmental, and health and safety sense in terms of their use for waste, contaminant, and hazard characterization, and for non-destructive evaluation.
- Relationship of course to undergraduate degree program objectives and outcomes
- This course serves students in a variety of engineering majors. The information below describes how the course contributes to the college's educational objectives.
-
-
This course provides an introduction to the principles of geophysical data collection and interpretation for undergraduate and graduate students in Geological Engineering, Geology and Geophysics, Civil and Environmental Engineering, and other UW programs.
-
Within the Geological Engineering Program, this course helps provide key educational outcomes as listed below:
-
a. an ability to apply knowledge and principles of mathematics, science, and engineering to geological engineering problems. This includes differential equations, calculus-based physics, chemistry, and geological science topics that emphasize geologic processes, the identification of minerals and rocks, geophysics, and field methods. This also includes engineering science topics such as statics, properties/strength of materials, and geomechanics.
-
b. an ability to design and conduct experiments, as well as to analyze and interpret data
-
d. an ability to function on multi-disciplinary teams
-
e. an ability to identify, formulate, and solve geological engineering problems in space and time. This includes the knowledge of the physical and chemical properties of earth materials, surface water, ground water and their distribution.
-
f. an understanding of professional and ethical responsibility.
-
g. an ability to communicate effectively
-
h. the broad education necessary to understand the impact of engineering solutions in a global, economic, environmental, and societal context.
-
i. a recognition of the need for, and an ability to engage in life-long learning
-
j. a knowledge of contemporary issues
-
k. an ability to use the techniques, skills, and modern engineering tools necessary for engineering practice.
- Assessment of student progress toward course objectives
-
Bi-weekly problem sets that focuss on the basic physics of the methods, simple analytic interpretation techniques, and geophysical survey design provide experience in application of principles to the types of problems encountered by the applied geophysicist.
-
Midterm and final exams are designed to test basic understanding of material and students' ability to apply principles and solve applied problems with geophysics.
-
Final Grade: Homework problem sets (50%); Quiz 1 (10%); Quiz 2 (15%); Final exam (25%)
- Person(s) who prepared this description
