Geophysics 270: Introduction to Geophysics

Fall 2012 semester

Instructor: Dr. Steve Gao, professor of geophysics

E-mail: sgao@mst.edu; Phone: (573)-341-6676; http://web.mst.edu/~sgao

Office: B-35 McNutt Hall.

Teaching Assistant: Cory Reed (caryrd@mst.edu). Office: B40 McNutt. Office hour: Tue. & Thu. 11:00 am to 1:00 PM

Meeting time/place: Tuesdays and Thursdays, 9:30-10:45, McNutt 216

Textbook: Whole Earth Geophysics by Robert Lillie

Course objectives:

• Getting familiar with the key aspects of geophysics such as seismic wave propagation, earth’s gravity and magnetic fields, heat flow, earthquakes, and plate tectonics

• Obtaining a basic understanding about the natural of geophysical research and how geophysical research is conducted in the real world

• Identifying fundamental unresolved problems related to the evolution, structure, and dynamics of the earth that can be resolved in the near future by intensive geophysical research

Grading scheme:

3-5 homework assignments: 30%

Mid-term exam: 20%

Final exam (comprehensive): 40%

Attendance and participation in discussion: 10%

Scales for Grade Assignment:

A: 90 – 100% B: 80 – 89% C: 70 – 79% D: 60 – 69% F: 0-59%

Class Policies:

1. Each time you missed a class without getting the instructor’s pre-approval, you will lose one (out of a maximum of 10) of the “Attendance and participation” points.

2. In order to make up a missed exam, you need to notify the instructor about your absence before the exam. In addition, you need to present the instructor with sufficient evidence to justify your absence.

3. Late works will not be accepted, unless you get the approval from the instructor before the deadline.

4. Assignments must be completed independently. While discussions and collaborations during class time are encouraged, homework and examination problems must be solved independently. Plagiarism in any assignment is strictly prohibited. A score of zero will be given to all involved parties, and the incidence will be reported to related offices for investigation and punishments.

5. Concerns/issues related to a grade must be raised within a week after the grade was posted.

Schedule:

Week 1: Chapter 1: Introduction

Week 2: Chapter 2: Plate Tectonics

Week 3: Chapter 3: Seismic Waves

Week 4: Chapter 4: Seismic Refraction Interpretation

Weeks 5 & 6: Chapter 5: Seismic Reflection: Acquisition, Processing, and Waveform Analysis

Midterm exam

Week 7: Chapter 6: Structural and Tectonic Interpretation of Seismic Reflection Profiles

Weeks 8 and 9: Chapter 7: Earthquake Seismology

Weeks 10 & 11: Chapter 8: Gravity and Isostasy

Week 12: Chapter 9: Magnetic Interpretation

Week 13: Chapter 10: Heat Flow

Week 14: Thanksgiving Holiday (no classes)

Weeks 15 & 16: Current research topics in geophysics; review for final exam; Buffer time

Week 17: Finals week