Course content

Physics:

Foundations of mechanics, elasticity, gravity, magnetism, electromagnetic induction, DC and AC circuits, electromagnetic waves and radioactivity as required for geophysical applications.

Geophysics:

Fundamental topics in geophysics

Solar system, plate tectonics, gravity, seismology, Earth’s magnetic field, geoelectricity, paleomagnetism.

Geophysical methods

Reflection and refraction seismics, gravimetry and magnetometry, electrical and electromagnetic methods.

Learning outcome

Ingress:

The students should know how physics and geophysics are used to explore and map the interior of the Earth and planetary bodies, especially the Earth's crust.

Knowledge:

The students should know and understand the main geophysical measuring techniques and how these methods are applied to Earth and planetary monitoring and exploration.

Skills:

The students should be capable of deriving basic geophysical equations. They should also be able to perform simple geophysical computations. Furthermore, it is expected that they should know how to use computational tools, as for instance Python for geophysical analysis.

General competence:

The students should understand how fundamental physical laws and methods can be used to obtain a quantitative understanding of the Earth and can be exploited to learn about otherwise inaccessible regions. They should also be trained to critically evaluate historical and modern theories of the Earth, and to understand and practice scientific thinking and the core principles of scientific conduct and sustainability.

Learning methods and activities

Lectures and compulsory exercises.

The course is evaluated by a student reference group.

Compulsory assignments

• Approeved exercises

Recommended previous knowledge

Course TFY4104 Physics.

Course materials

Young & Freedman, University Physics.

William Lowrie and Andreas Fichtner, Fundamentals of Geophysics, 3rd edition, Cambridge University Press, 2020.

Credit reductions