Undergraduate chemistry for geophysics?

[furansugo]

Hi everyone,

I'm a sophomore so I have a long time before I need to think about graduate school, but I want to make sure that I take the right classes to keep my options open. I'm a physics major, and I'm thinking about doing earth science or physics after I graduate from college, but I haven't taken chemistry yet. Honestly, I like physics a lot more than chemistry, so I'd like to take more upper level physics classes if possible instead of taking introductory chemistry, but I've heard that chemistry is required for some geophysics programs. On the other hand, I've heard that other programs stress the importance of a strong mathematical and physics background. Does anyone have much experience with this? A lot of programs say they encourage applicants to have taken chemistry, but also say that not all successful applicants are in this position. I don't want to put off chemistry until too late if it's really important (both for admissions and for upper level geophysics studies)!

[Usmivka]

Speaking as a chemist with a number of geophysics peers, I'd focus on the physics. If you want to study geophysics, that will be the bulk of the background you need. That said, I wouldn't discount the chemistry entirely, it will be hard to understand what is happening with the physics if you don't understand the solid phase chemistry and geological processes underlying your "physical" signal. Rather than introductory chemistry, which will include a lot you don't really need to think about, I'd jump into a geochemistry course (you might need instructor permission if you don't have the pre-recs). And remember, "encouraged" means unnecessary--it's a perk, and might help if you are a borderline candidate, but won't make a difference if GPA, GREs, and letters of rec are good.