Geophysics

College of Natural Science and Mathematics
Department of Geology and Geophysics
907-474-7565
www.uaf.edu/geology/

MS, PhD Degrees

Downloadable PDF

Minimum Requirements for Degrees: MS: 30 credits; PhD: 18 thesis credits

The geophysics program at UAF specializes in several broad areas of research and is closely connected with the Geophysical Institute. Although much of the research conducted by geophysics faculty takes advantage of the geographic location of the university, the faculty have research projects on all continents. Students have the option to obtain a general geophysics degree or to choose one of three concentrations to focus their studies.

MS Degree

Concentrations: Solid-Earth Geophysics; Snow, Ice and Permafrost Geophysics; Remote Sensing Geophysics

  1. Complete the following admission requirements:
    1. Submit GRE scores.
    2. Complete a background at least to the level of a BS concentration in geology, geophysics or an appropriate physical science or engineering.
    3. Complete MATH F302, MATH F314, MATH F421 and PHYS F220 or equivalent.
  2. Complete the general university requirements.
  3. Complete the master's degree requirements.
    1. Complete 6 - 12 thesis credits.
    2. Complete any deficiencies concurrently with this degree.
  4. Submit a written thesis proposal and pass an oral comprehensive examination centered on this proposal.
  5. Complete and submit a written thesis and pass an oral defense of thesis.
  6. Complete the following geophysics core requirements:
    GEOS F631--Foundations of Geophysics--4 credits
    GEOS F682--Geoscience Seminar (fall semester)--1 credit
  7. Complete 6 credits from relevant graduate-level courses agreed by the advisory committee, or choose one of the following concentrations:
    Solid-Earth Geophysics
    Complete 6 credits from the following:
    GEOS F604--Seismology--3 credits
    GEOS F605--Geochronology--3 credits
    GEOS F626--Applied Seismology--3 credits
    GEOS F613--Global Tectonics--3 credits
    GEOS F655--Tectonic Geodesy--3 credits
    GEOS F671--Volcano Seismology--3 credits
    Snow, Ice and Permafrost Geophysics
    Complete 6 credits from the following:
    GEOS F614--Ice Physics--3 credits
    GEOS F615--Sea Ice--3 credits
    GEOS F616--Permafrost--3 credits
    GEOS F617--Glaciers--3 credits
    Remote Sensing
    Complete 6 credits from the following:
    GEOS F654--Visible and Infrared Remote Sensing--3 credits
    GEOS F657--Microwave Remote Sensing--3 credits
    GEOS F622--Digital Image Processing in the Geosciences--3 credits
    GEOS F434/F634--Remote Sensing of the Cryosphere--4 credits
    GEOS F484/F684--Remote Sensing Bi-Weekly Seminar--1 credit
    GEOS F676--Remote Sensing of Volcanic Eruptions--3 credits
    GEOS F639--InSAR and its Applications--3 credits
    ATM F413/F613--Atmospheric Radiation--3 credits
  8. Minimum credits required,including thesis/research credits--30 credits

PhD Degree

  1. Complete the following admission requirement:
    1. Submit GRE scores.
  2. Complete a master's degree in geology, geophysics or an appropriate field of physical science or engineering.
  3. Complete the general university requirements.
  4. Complete the requirements for the MS (see requirements 6 and 7 listed above).
  5. Complete 3 credits each in two of the following advanced skills categories (total 6 credits):
    1. Digital signal analysis and remote sensing
      GEOS F654--Visible and Infrared Remote Sensing--3 credits
      GEOS F657--Microwave Remote Sensing--3 credits
      GEOS F622--Digital Image Processing in the Geosciences--3 credits
      PHYS F628--Digital Time Series Analysis--3 credits
    2. Statistics and parameter estimation
      ATM F693--Analysis Methods in Meteorology and Climate--3 credits
      GEOS F627--Inverse Problems and Parameter Estimation--3 credits
      STAT F401--Regression and Analysis of Variance--3 credits
      STAT F461--Applied Multivariate Statistics--3 credits
    3. Numerical methods
      MATH F615--Applied Numerical Analysis--3 credits
      MATH F661--Optimization--3 credits
      MATH F694--Numerical Linear Algebra--3 credits
      ME F601--Finite Element Analysis in Engineering--3 credits
    4. One graduate-level advanced skills course approved by the student's advisory committee
  6. Complete the PhD degree requirements.
  7. As part of the PhD degree requirements, complete the following:
    1. Complete and pass a written and oral comprehensive examination.
    2. Complete and submit a written thesis proposal for approval.
    3. Complete a research program as arranged with the graduate advisory committee.
    4. Complete 18 credits of thesis, write a thesis and pass an oral defense of thesis.
  8. Minimum credits--18 credits

Admission to PhD geophysics program directly from a bachelor's program:

Entering graduate students whose highest earned degree is the baccalaureate are normally admitted as master of science candidates. However, exceptionally able and accomplished students in this category are eligible for direct admission to the PhD program. For direct admission from the baccalaureate to the PhD program, a student must receive approval from the graduate admission committee and also meet one of three criteria:

  1. At least one first-authored manuscript published, accepted, or submitted for publication in a peer-reviewed scientific journal
  2. Receipt of an NSF, NIH or similar prestigious pre-doctoral fellowship.
  3. Demonstrated research proficiency AND either (1) attained a GPA of at least 3.5 in mathematics and science courses at the undergraduate level, or (2) scored at or above the 80th percentile in two of three categories in the GRE. The requirement of demonstrated research proficiency can be waived for exceptionally promising students. In this case the student is required to complete a research or review paper focusing on a thesis-related topic approved by the graduate advising committee. The paper should be roughly 4,000 - 5,000 words and must be submitted and approved by the advising committee within the first three semesters to maintain PhD status. Failure will result in changing the student's status to MS candidate.

After admission, MS candidates may, in exceptional cases, petition for conversion to the PhD program if they satisfy one of the above criteria. Such petitions must be approved both by the student's current (MS) and proposed (PhD) advisory committee and the department director or designee.