Advance your career ambitions in one of the most demanding, exciting and interdisciplinary programs at the University of Saskatchewan. Participate in a field school that covers the complete range of geophysical tools with industry participation. Join a dynamic profession with global scope. These opportunities and more are available when you choose to major in Geophysics at the University of Saskatchewan.
Geophysics is the application of physics to problems in earth science. Most people are familiar with a branch of geophysics known as seismology (seismic is the abbreviation often used), which is used extensively in the search for petroleum. Besides seismology, geophysicists use gravity, magnetic and electromagnetic fields, and even remote sensing from satellites to probe beneath the Earth’s surface.
The obvious applications of geophysics are in oil and mineral exploration, but geophysics is widely used in any situation where information on the subsurface is required, for example, environmental assessment and remediation, civil engineering, oceanography and space exploration.
The professor to student ratio and the small class sizes in Geophysics makes for an excellent learning environment. This field is interesting and challenging and is the first step toward an exciting career.—Lori Barth Third-year Hometown: Saskatoon SK
If you have strong mathematics skills and an interest in the physical environment then geophysics may be the program for you. Because of the breadth of the geophysics program, which takes you to the upper-year levels in mathematics, physics and geology and draws on these skills in senior geophysics courses, geophysics graduates are very well placed to react to and take advantage of the rapid pace of change in the modern world.
Our graduates have found success in academics, research and exploration in countries around the world. Most graduates pursue a career in exploration geophysics following the B.Sc., and some complete an advanced degree in geophysics or other areas.
The geophysics community is a dynamic environment with a strong tradition for the rapid deployment of new technology. Recent graduates have found work in the petroleum industry in western Canada and around the world, in potash mine development, in diamond exploration in the north, in groundwater development and in environmental engineering. Large corporations, small companies and government agencies are all possible employers. Many alumni have formed their own successful companies.
Small class sizes and accessibility of faculty to students are one of the big advantages of the Geophysics program. A dedicated computer lab with up-to-date software for labs and projects is available. We were the first geophysics program in Canada to offer a field school. We still see this as our most important course and maintain it as one of the best and most comprehensive field schools available anywhere. The participation of industry in the field school and the active involvement of faculty in research means that students have hands-on experiences with modern equipment.
The first two and a half years of the program are dedicated to acquiring the necessary background in physical sciences including mathematics, physics, geology, plus computer science and chemistry. The last year and a half builds on the general science background with a focus on speciality courses in geophysics.
Geophysics is one of the most interdisciplinary programs available at the U of S. The broad range of courses offered and the advanced level they reach in these separate areas, is excellent preparation for a career in geophysics. Our graduates have also had success moving into other careers and I think that can be attributed to the interdisciplinary nature of the program.—Jim Merriam Professor
Join the Geophysics Student Society, a student chapter of the Society of Exploration Geophysicists. In recent years we have organized trips to the annual meeting of the Society of Exploration Geophysicists, to a working seismic exploration crew in southwestern Saskatchewan and to a large research project in south eastern Saskatchewan. The spring BBQ for all geophysics students and faculty and the post field school BBQ are annual traditions.
The following is a list of high school subjects required for admission. Please select the province/territory where you completed high school.
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