MSc in Geophysics

[Hanyuye]

So I've been rejected to all petroleum engineering MS programs I applied to, consequently, one of those school's graduate advisor told me that math/physics majors 'can not handle' the rigorousity of an engineering program. I was appalled at the fact that he welcomed me to apply last year but now he just simply flicks me off.

 

Anyways, I talked with my geology professor and she suggested I look into Geophysics. Which I actually prefer more than PETE now. I've emailed a few graduate advisors and they consider math undergraduates who have a minor or more in geology. I'd like to ask if there are certain programs (besides Texas AM, UH, Calgary) that have Geophysics MS programs with petroleum concentrations? 

 

And of course, suggestions are most welcome. 

[iowaguy]

What do you see yourself doing once you obtain your MS?

[Hanyuye]

Reservoir Simulation, Geophysical and structural research (mostly for ocean floors or tectonic plates), CO2 sequestration in the subsurfaces, and petroleum production. To say the least. 

[GeoDUDE!]

almost any MSc in geology/geophysics that involves some sort of modeling will prepare you for that.  Think about working in Geodynamics if you have a strong background in physics, chemistry, math and computer science.

[Hanyuye]

Thanks GeoDude, I haven't found many petroleum geophysics programs though. Just Imperial, UCalgary, Texas as I mentioned before. And so you're saying that I can graduate with a geophysics MS degree and still be a reservoir engineer/geophysicist even from a college not specializing in petroleum?

[GeoDUDE!]

Yes... most industry jobs don't care what your research is as long as its technical.... you'd be better off doing research in modeling and presenting at AAPG conferences and the like. Recruiters are there, if that is what you desire. You will need to be trained no matter what, all you must do is demonstrate adequate ability to handle highly technical things such as modeling, seismology, programming, ect.

 

I would also look at resource engieenering programs, enviormental engineering, enviormental geophysics, ect.

 

But seriously consider Geodynamics, as that is the field that deals with modeling Neotectonics and the like.

 

of course this is all different if you plan on going to PhD and teaching this in academia.

Edited May 25, 2013 by GeoDUDE!

[jmu]

Have you considered Oklahoma? They have faculty focusing on petroleum geology/reservoir characterization. (I don't know much about the program other than a person who took a few courses there.)

[Hanyuye]

JMU, thanks for reminding me about OU! They're heavily involved in petroleum geophysics as well.

Though JMU, and Geodude. I'm graduating with a BA in Math with a possible minor in geology/geography. Do any of you personally know someone with a BA in math who went into geophysics? Looks like I could be in semi-good shape with my minor and maybe extra classes in physics.

[GeoDUDE!]

I was a Physics BA with a minor in math/comsci, having taken 0 geology classes and I am doing fine. I think i am probably the only one who has gotten A's in all of the geophysics grad classes here, though I got a few Bs in normal geology classes. Don't worry about your background. Its much easier to make a mathematician a geophysicist than a geologist a geophysicist. 

 

The people I know with pure math backgrounds went into atmospheric sciences, but i think its the same case. Most of your geophysics classes will only touch on Linear Algebra, V-Calc, and PDEs. They probably won't even have you solve  them, just want you to be aware of the ideas ( such as tensors/focal mech) ect. Most of the advanced stuff you do will be in your research, where you should be able to pick up anything you know.

 

I even taught Intro geology without taking the class before.... its really NO BIG DEAL.  It sounds like you have a stronger geology background that I have (i doubt i could identify rocks, minerals, though I know there properties and how they interact with tectonics n such).

 

Suffice to say, I found that my MSc coursework has been significantly easier than the upper level physics and math courses (such as real analysis, complex, Advanced Linear). I am sure you will do fine, most geology students aren't as strong as they need to be in math and physics until later on in their career, and thats basically what the MSc is designed to do; teach you some technical stuff and adress the weaknesses in your education while giving you research experience  That way it provides you a good background to A) Go into industry or Go to PhD. 

[Hanyuye]

I was a Physics BA with a minor in math/comsci, having taken 0 geology classes and I am doing fine. I think i am probably the only one who has gotten A's in all of the geophysics grad classes here, though I got a few Bs in normal geology classes. Don't worry about your background. Its much easier to make a mathematician a geophysicist than a geologist a geophysicist. 

 

The people I know with pure math backgrounds went into atmospheric sciences, but i think its the same case. Most of your geophysics classes will only touch on Linear Algebra, V-Calc, and PDEs. They probably won't even have you solve  them, just want you to be aware of the ideas ( such as tensors/focal mech) ect. Most of the advanced stuff you do will be in your research, where you should be able to pick up anything you know.

 

I even taught Intro geology without taking the class before.... its really NO BIG DEAL.  It sounds like you have a stronger geology background that I have (i doubt i could identify rocks, minerals, though I know there properties and how they interact with tectonics n such).

 

Suffice to say, I found that my MSc coursework has been significantly easier than the upper level physics and math courses (such as real analysis, complex, Advanced Linear). I am sure you will do fine, most geology students aren't as strong as they need to be in math and physics until later on in their career, and thats basically what the MSc is designed to do; teach you some technical stuff and adress the weaknesses in your education while giving you research experience  That way it provides you a good background to A) Go into industry or Go to PhD. 

Thank you very much GeoDude! (Btw, is that after the pokemon?, ahah). I am taking Real Analysis in two weeks, hope it sets the standard in difficulty? Anyways, you're giving me lots of hope on geophysics programs. Will get in touch about more information.

[GeoDUDE!]

It largely depends if your real analysis is just an advanced treatment of calculus or an investigation into manifolds and quadratic forms.  The latter make it more difficult. 

[jmu]

JMU, thanks for reminding me about OU! They're heavily involved in petroleum geophysics as well.

Though JMU, and Geodude. I'm graduating with a BA in Math with a possible minor in geology/geography. Do any of you personally know someone with a BA in math who went into geophysics? Looks like I could be in semi-good shape with my minor and maybe extra classes in physics.

 

My undergrad program was kind of weird in that the physical geographers were in another department from the human geographers and we rarely ever interacted outside of GIS/RS which was in their department but crosslisted to ours. From talking to them, they said it depends on the program how useful a math BA would be. Apparently some geophysics programs like it because it means they don't have to waste time teaching you and others don't because it means you might have to "unlearn" some things and they'd rather you start fresh with only what you need. This is all second- and third- hand info though.

 

GeoDUDE! is obviously more knowledgeable and it sounds like he offers up some really good advice.

[RafAkd]

Hanyuye,

 

I'm starting a Master program in Geophysics this fall at The University of Tulsa and it is focused on the oil exploration and reservoir characterization path, which is what I aim for and what I've been doing since I graduated here in my country.

[Hanyuye]

Hey RafAkd! That's great! Congrats on the acceptance!!!!!

 

What was your Bachelor's degree?

[RafAkd]

Thanks!!!

 

My bachelor degree is Geophysical Engineering (just to mention that down here, undergraduate studies last 5 years instead of 4).

 

Hope you can decide where to apply, to which program and get accepted to all of them!

 

Bye

[electric]

Hanyuye,

 

I was a physics major, then civil engineering MS, now geophysics phd student. Keep in mind that petroleum engineering is very specialized. While you're surely capable enough from a math/science perspective, there would be a lot of catching up to do in other things, and many grad departments aren't flexible about this. Civil engineering, on the other hand, is very broad, and I was able to do research that could have easily been called applied physics.

 

When I think of applied geophysics, along the lines of your interests, I think of a few other schools in addition to the ones you mentioned: Colorado School of Mines, Rice, UT Austin, and Stanford. All of these have reservoir modeling groups within geophysics departments, and close ties to oil/gas. And I do think you'll have much better luck at geophysics departments than petroleum engineering.

 

Best wishes!

[Hanyuye]

Thank You Electric!

I was thinking the same thing as petroleum engineering is very specific and most of those departments are unwilling to accept any student who has more than 2 deficient classes. 

As for geophysics, I did find many departments that fit my interests. I realized hydrology, and structural geology and numerical modeling are areas I fancy. 

Also, to everyone, what are the main differences between geophysics and geological engineering? And also, what is more broad or preferred by industries? 

 

There are a few schools that offer geological engineering and as I've talked to a few graduate schools, they are very much willing to accept other students besides engineering undergraduates. . 

[Hanyuye]

Bump for suggestions

[Hanyuye]

bump