GEOPH-MS - Geophysics (MS)

Geophysics is the branch of Earth sciences which explores and analyzes active processes of the Earth through physical measurement. The undergraduate and graduate programs are designed to provide a background of fundamentals in science, and courses to coordinate these fundamentals with the principles of geophysics. Graduate programs provide specialized training for professional work in resource exploration, research, and education, and lead to the degrees of Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy. University requirements for the M.S. and Ph.D. are described in the Graduate Degrees section of this bulletin. Coterminal Master's Degrees The Department of Geophysics is housed in the Ruth Wattis Mitchell Earth Sciences Building. It has numerous research facilities, among which are a state-of-the-art broadband seismic recording station, high pressure and temperature rock properties and rock deformation laboratories, various instruments for field measurements including seismic recorders, nine dual frequency GPS receivers, and field equipment for measuring in-situ stress at great depth. Current research activities include crustal deformation, earthquake seismology and earthquake mechanics, reflection, refraction, and tomographic seismology, rock mechanics, rock physics, seismic studies of the continental lithosphere, remote sensing, environmental geophysics, and synthetic aperture radar studies.

Refer to University policy on Transfer Work

The Department of Geophysics is committed to providing academic advising in support of graduate student scholarly and professional development. For a statement of University policy on graduate advising, see the Graduate Advising section of this bulletin.

Minimum Advising Expectations for the Department of Geophysics

1. Each adviser meets with each advisee in Autumn or Winter quarter, beginning in the advisee’s first year, to develop/update a document entitled "the expectations agreement” that records the agreed upon approach to the following for each individual advisee:

• Courses: the process and responsibility for selecting courses

• Thesis topic: the process and responsibility for selecting the topic

• Members of advising committee: the process and responsibility for selection

• Meetings of adviser and advisee: structure and frequency

• Conducting the research: the level of independence and progress expected, the involvement of the adviser (level of participation, nature of oversight), involvement of other collaborators (both inside and outside of research group)

• Thesis content, including expectations with respect to publications

• Writing of publications: style of interaction, policy on co-authorship, publication costs

• Conference travel/presentations: who attends/presents, frequency, financial support

• Funding (stipend, tuition, research costs): source, responsibilities, requirements for ongoing support

• In-the-office hours

• Vacations and other absences

• Expectations for Summer Quarter

• Preparing for career interests, plans after Stanford

The document, signed by both the adviser and advisee, is submitted to the Assistant Director of Student Services. If the adviser-advisee discussion would benefit from the involvement of an additional person, either the adviser or advisee can request the presence of a faculty or staff member of the school.

The expectations agreement is reviewed by the Assistant Director of Student Services and the Director of Graduate Studies, with follow-up as needed.

If there is a change in adviser, the expectations agreement must be completed with the new adviser within the first quarter after the change.

2. A one-hour annual review, focused on academic progress, is held every year; in the first year this is deferred to Autumn of the second year. This meeting includes the advisee, the adviser, and at least one other faculty member. Time is designated in every annual review to review the expectations agreement, circulated in advance to all those in attendance at the review.

At any time, a student with questions or concerns can approach any one of the following individuals in the school:

• Other faculty members of the advisory committee

• Assistant Director of Student Services in their home department or program

• Director of Graduate Studies in their home department or another department

• Associate Chair for Diversity and Inclusion

• Department Chair

• Alyssa Ferree, Assistant Dean of Student Services

• Jenny Saltzman, Associate Dean for Educational Affairs

• Sue Crutcher, Associate Dean for Human Resources and Faculty Affairs

  For a statement of University policy on graduate advising, see the Graduate Advising section of this bulletin.

The objective of the graduate program in Geophysics is to prepare students to be leaders in the geophysics industry, academia, and research organizations through completion of fundamental courses in their major field and related sciences, as well as through independent research. Students are expected to:

1. apply skills developed in fundamental courses to geophysical problems.

2. research, analyze, and synthesize solutions to an original and contemporary geophysics problem.

3. work independently and as part of a team to develop and improve geophysics solutions.

4. apply written, visual, and oral presentation skills to communicate scientific knowledge.

5. master’s students are expected to develop an in-depth technical understanding of geophysics problems at an advanced level.

6. doctoral students are expected to complete a scientific investigation that is significant, challenging and original.