Geology and Geophysics is the study of the materials, processes, and history of the solid Earth and its fluid envelopes. Geology and Geophysics are integrative fields, and draw on mathematics, chemistry, physics and biology to understand the interactions of the lithosphere, biosphere, atmosphere and hydrosphere. Studies commonly combine observations and measurements from field, laboratory, and computational studies. Geology is concerned with the processes involved in the formation and evolution of the Earth through geological time, and plays an important role in decisions about resource use, natural hazards, mineral exploration and extraction, and the understanding of the effects and rates of natural and human-induced change in the environment.
Geophysics is concerned with physical processes within and on Earth, especially the internal physical constitution of the planet, and seismic, gravitational, geothermal, geoelectrical, geomagnetic phenomena and their relation to geological processes. The geophysics concentration offers graduate work toward the MS and PhD degrees. Opportunities for research exist on a wide range of geophysical problems in marine and continental regimes, emphasizing experimental, applied, and theoretical aspects.
