Geological and Mining Engineering and Sciences

Applied Geophysics Bachelor's Degree

The world needs professionals who aren’t afraid to get their hands dirty.

Geophysicists are closely involved in gathering subsurface data for laboratory interpretation—and a bachelor’s degree in applied geophysics from Michigan Tech will equip you with the skills needed to conduct site investigations using advanced technology and geophysical techniques, such as signal processing.

You will also gain a rock-solid understanding of the Earth’s climatic history and paleogeography, the identification of oil and gas reserves or water supplies, and the evaluation and mitigation of natural hazards. The program’s curriculum focuses on the application of physics to studying the Earth, with the benefit of humankind and the environment at its core. Specialty areas in geophysics include the following:

  • Volcanology
  • Oceanography
  • Natural hazards mitigation
  • Remote sensing
  • Geographic information system (GIS) mapping
  • Natural resources (ecology and/or forestry)
  • Oil or gas exploration and recovery
  • Seismology
  • 18
    students for average class size
  • 14
    schools nationally offering geological or mining engineering programs
  • 5:1
    undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio

Tomorrow Needs Applied Critical Thinking

The daily duties of geoscientists, such as geophysicists, could include investigating natural phenomena and collecting data on location, interpreting the results in a lab, and writing reports. Field studies bring geoscientists to diverse landscapes around the globe—from volcanoes to oceans to oil fields. Geoscientists must have the ability to develop a picture of a field site based on limited data; therefore, sound critical-thinking skills are advantageous in this discipline. Due to the nature of their work, these professionals must adapt to a variety of situations and working conditions.

Be Career-ready

Discover a world of opportunity. A bachelor’s degree in applied geophysics will prepare you for a career in industry or graduate study. Generally, geophysicists employed in industry spend part of their working time outdoors enjoying nature and, if desired, traveling the world. Students interested in certain sectors of industry, such as oil exploration, or a career in academia should explore graduate education options. An advanced degree provides greater specialization.

Each year, more than 400 employers come to campus to recruit Huskies at our career fairs and our business grads go on to work at Fortune 500 companies, tech startups, small businesses, and everything in between.

Career Opportunities for Applied Geophysics

  • Groundwater and surface water monitoring and cleaning
  • Natural-hazards mitigation
  • Satellite remote sensing of environmental processes
  • GIS mapping of environmental data
  • Site investigations of underground hazards
  • Slope failure investigations
  • Oil or gas exploration and recovery
  • Subsurface visualization
  • Natural and induced seismicity evaluation

Ready to take the next step?

Learn more about studying applied geophysics at Michigan's flagship technological university.

 

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"Only at Michigan Tech: Spend the week learning the workings of the earth from geomagnetism to seismology and the weekend surrounded by 300-year-old pine trees. Explore all the wonders geophysics and the Keweenaw have to offer."Tomorrow Needs Michigan Tech

The GMES Department

  • Our facilities allow students to experiment with advanced geologic technology. The department maintains labs dedicated to the study of remote sensing and volcanology, geographic information systems (GIS), subsurface remediation and visualization, and seismic petrophysics, among other areas.
  • Michigan’s Keweenaw Peninsula offers beautiful outdoor facilities. The area surrounding campus is ideal for a wide variety of geologic studies. You don’t have to drive far to find miles of rocky Lake Superior shoreline and acres of forestland.
  • Our curriculum focuses intensely on field studies; we teach two field courses in the summer but also provide plenty of opportunities for students to see classic and novel field sites in Michigan and beyond. Students have traveled to sites in Alaska, Canada, Florida, Guatemala, Mexico, Montana, Newfoundland, Nicaragua, and Utah.
  • Undergraduate research opportunities are plentiful. Our faculty conduct research abroad, and students often accompany them on field trips. You might study volcanoes in South America, Precambrian rocks in Australia (or right here in Michigan’s Keweenaw Peninsula), or the Bering Glacier’s melt rate in Alaska.
  • Our well-rounded curriculum emphasizes the study of geophysics and social geology, or methods for mitigating natural hazards through effective communication and community involvement.
  • Faculty and staff focus on giving students the personal attention and support necessary for not only academic success, but also a positive undergraduate experience overall. Learn from faculty who understand responsible utilization of our Earth.
  • Opportunities for intercultural exchange abound at Michigan Tech. The Study Abroad Program sends students to countries around the world for stints ranging from two weeks to one year. D80 allows students to apply their studies to the problems facing economically disadvantaged communities.
  • Students are encouraged to join the Society for Mining, Metallurgy & Exploration, Materials United, the Geology Club, the Society of Women Engineers, or one of many other organizations for opportunities to get involved, invested, explore new horizons, and meet fellow students who share a similar interest.

Geological and Mining Engineering and Sciences Programs

Or, start with our General Engineering option and give yourself time to decide.

MTU engineering

Real Engineering. Meaningful Work.

We are committed to inspiring students, advancing knowledge, and innovating technological solutions to create a sustainable, just, and prosperous world. With an entering engineering class of about 1,000 students, 17 degrees to choose from, and 160 faculty in the College of Engineering alone, we provide a world-class education with the trusted reputation of Michigan Tech.

As a student at Michigan Tech you’ll work closely with faculty mentors, immerse yourself in experience-powered learning, and gain a thorough understanding of engineering practice. Collaborate and innovate in laboratories, coursework, Enterprise, and Senior Design—you'll work with industry partners on real engineering projects and develop strong skill sets for your future.

You could study abroad, with engineering opportunities ranging from a few weeks to one full year. Or focus on problems facing disadvantaged communities in countries around the world. Michigan Tech’s Global and Community Engagement program offers you a range of options.

More than 400 employers regularly recruit our students for internships, co-ops, and full-time employment. Engineering students average seven interviews, and 98 percent are employed within their field of study, enlist in the military, or enroll in a graduate school within six months of graduation. A degree in engineering from Michigan Tech can take you anywhere.

Tomorrow Needs You

Engineers do a lot of things, but there's one thing we do first and foremost: we help people. We use creative ideas and technologies to solve problems in health care, energy, transportation, hunger, space exploration, climate change, and more—much more. Become an engineer who is ready for what tomorrow needs.

Student Stories

"Field Geophysics was where I learned that I wanted to continue my education on near surface geophysics in graduate school! I was so intrigued by each of the methods and the equipment that we used and the broad applications that they have to Earth science."Olivia Salvagio, applied geophysics senior