Introduction to Geophysics 330/450


Spring 2003

Seafloor topography
Instructors: Course schedule

Time and place: Monday, Wednesday and Friday 10:30-11:20 AM, Gardiner Hall, Room 218

Course objective: To understand the suite of geophysical methods used to explore the subsurface of the Earth and the fundamental principles behind each. We will study these techniques as they apply to whole Earth structure, shallow environmental studies, and oil and mineral exploration.

Text: Looking into the Earth: An Introduction to Geological Geophysics, Alan E. Mussett and M. Aftab Khan, Cambridge University press, 2000. Some sections of the course will be supplemented by readings outside the text.

Course materials: The textbook and a calculator should be brought to each class period. A calculator will be required for exams as well. A small ruler is not required but recommended.

Homework: Reading is to be completed before lecture classes. Class time will be devoted to clarifying and expanding on the reading with examples and case studies. Quizzes based on reading assignments will be given periodically. You must be in class to receive credit for quizzes.

Attendance: There is no formal attendance requirement except for exam days and during project presentations at the end of the course. However unannounced quizzes cannot be made up. Therefore, missed classes will ultimately influence grades.

Exams: There will be three exams. Each will cover roughly one-third of the material and be equally-weighted. Attendance is mandatory on exam days. Barring acts of god, no make-up exams will be given without prior consultation.

Final project: In lieu of a final, we will pursue individual projects during the latter portion of the class. These projects will be presented to the class at the end of the semester. Projects will be in your field of interest. The goal will be to examine and summarize how two or more of the techniques addressed in class are being used to study the topic. Topics will be chosen by each student after discussions with instructors. Students taking Introduction to Geophysics for graduate credit will perform a more in depth discussion of there chosen topic.

Grades: Final grades will be determined as follows
20% - Exam I
20% - Exam II
20% - Exam III
20% - Final Project
20% - Homework and quizzes

Mid-term grades: Formal mid-term grades will not be distributed. However, students who wish to evaluate their course standing before the last drop date (March 5, 2003) can do so by requesting a grade from the instructors.

Finals week: The two hour time slot alloted by the University for final exams will be used for final project presentations. Attendance is required.

Special dates:
Instruction begins Wednesday January 8
Deadline for registration/course addition Friday January 17
Martin Luther King holiday Monday January 20
Last day to drop without record Friday January 24
Last day to drop with "W" Wednesday March 5
Spring break! Monday-Friday March 24-28
Spring holiday Friday April 18
Last day of class 10:30-12:30 Wednesday May 7


Incomplete grades: Under university policy, Incompletes may be given only if a student has passed the first half of the course, and is precluded from successful completion of the second half of the course by a documented illness or family crisis that the instructor believes genuinely precluded successful completion.

Students with disabilities: Students with Disabilities. If you have or believe you have a disability and would benefit from any accommodations, you may wish to self-identify by contacting the Services for Students with Disabilities (SSD) Office located at Garcia Annex (phone: 646-6840). If you have already registered, please make sure that your instructor receives a copy of the accommodation memorandum from SSD within the first two weeks of classes. It is your responsibility to inform either your instructor or SSD representative in a timely manner if services/accommodations provided are not meeting your needs. If you have a condition which may affect your ability to exit safely from the premises in an emergency or which may cause an emergency during class, you are encouraged to discuss any concerns with the instructor and/or Ms. Jane Spinti, SSD Coordinator. Feel free to call Ms. Elva Telles (EEO/ADA and Employee Relations Director) at 646-3333 with any questions about the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and/or Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. All medical information will be treated confidentially.

NMSU student handbook: University policies which apply to all courses and students.

http://geophysics.nmsu.edu/west/introgeophys