GEOPHYSICS

GEOP 501 Reflection Seismology(3-0-3)

Elasticity of anisotropic media, general wave equations and their solutions, Zoeppritz equations,
direct hydrocarbon indicators, vertical seismic profiling, crosshole tomography, 3-D seismic
exploration, correlation of well-log and seismic data, S-wave exploration.
Prerequisite: GEOP 315 or equivalent
GEOP 502 Potential Theory Methods (3-0-3)
In-depth study of potential field theory as applied to the gravity and magnetic methods of
exploration, field equations and their solutions, representation of fields in spherical harmonics,
instruments and field procedure in the collection and processing of gravity and magnetic data,
interpretation techniques, and separation, continuation, and filtering of field anomalies, the direct
and inverse problems of potential fields, computer modeling of 2-D and 3-D dimensional sources.
Prerequisite: GEOP 404 or equivalent
GEOP 503 Solid-Earth Geophysics (3-0-3)
Movement of the Earth, standard Earth models, heat flow in the Earth, the Earth’s magnetic field,
plate tectonics, physics of faulting and principles of earthquake seismology.
Prerequisite: GEOP 202 or equivalent
GEOP 504 Applied Environmental Geophysics (3-0-3)
Geophysical methods in environmental site assessment, emphasis on sites relevant to toxic waste
disposals, contamination, detection and mapping of cavities, near-surface pipes, and hidden
harmful objects, geophysical precursors for monitoring earthquakes and volcanic eruptions, case
histories.
Prerequisite: GEOL 201 and GEOP 202 or equivalent
GEOP 505 Advanced Computational Geophysics (2-3-3)
Overview of linear algebra and potential field theory, the MATLAB, linear transforms of potential
fields, 1-D and 2-D filtering, multi-channel optimal filtering, optimization, the maximum entropy
and its applications, discriminant analysis and neural networks.
Prerequisite: GEOP 205 or equivalent
GEOP 510 Seismic Data Analysis (2-3-3)
Amplitude variation with offset, anisotropy, dip moveout processing, seismic migration algorithms,
time-lapse studies, multicomponent recording, converted modes, deterministic and statistical
deconvolution, wavelet shaping, wavelet extraction, multiple suppression, and automated static
correction. Processing packages such as Seismic Unix, Hampson-Russell, Focus, and ProMax will
be used during this course.
Prerequisite: GEOP 320 or equivalent
GEOP 515 Geophysical Inversion (3-0-3)
Overview of information theory & linear algebra, discrete and continuous inverse problems,
Backus-Gilbert inversion, Monte Carlo inversion, case histories from exploration seismics,
potential fields, geoelectric prospecting and rock physics.
Prerequisite: GEOP 205 or equivalent
GEOP 520 Geomagnetism & Paleomagnetism (3-0-3)
In-depth study of the nature, description, and analysis of the present magnetic field, spherical
harmonics in applied geophysics, observatory weak remnants of the field, computation of its
coefficients, the IGRF, measurement and analysis of the ancient geomagnetic field, theory of rock
magnetism, acquisition of remnants by rocks, theories of TRM and DRM, instruments and

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techniques of paleointensity and paleodirection measurement from rocks, analysis and
interpretation of paleomagnetic measurements, applications of paleomagnetic methods in geology
and geophysics, brief discussion of the origin of the geomagnetic field.
Prerequisite: GEOP 202 or equivalent
GEOP 525 Electrical Methods (3-0-3)
Physical principles of electrical and electromagnetic methods, numerical solutions for 2-D and 3-
D problems, instrumentation and layout planning for land and airborne surveys, computer modeling
and processing of field data, methods of interpretation, including curve matching, forward
modeling, inversion, and recent advances in resistivity logging for oil and gas reservoirs.
Prerequisite: GEOP 450 or equivalent
GEOP 530 Basin Analysis (3-0-3)
Isostacy and subsidence, salt tectonics, basin classification, basin geometry, thermal burial history,
oil generation and migration, heat flow and gradients, paleotemperature, basin modeling, and case
histories.
Prerequisite: GEOL 201, and GEOP 202 or equivalent
GEOP 535 Seismic & Sequence Stratigraphy (2-3-3)
Review of seismic reflection principles, geodynamics, causes of changes in sea level, eustatic
change of sea level, cycle chart, sedimentary supply and processes, sequence boundaries, seismic
facies analysis, chronostratigraphy verus lithostratigraphy, system tracts, clastics sequence
stratigraphy, carbonate sequence stratigraphy, seismic response of different structures, case
histories.
Prerequisite: Consent of the instructor
GEOP 540 Three-Dimensional Seismic Interpretation (2-3-3)
Review of 3-D seismic data acquisition and processing, structural interpretation from 3-D slices
and sections, stratigraphic interpretation, seismic attributes and wavelet analysis, seismic
resolution, reservoir imaging and classification, high resolution data and integration with well-log
data, 3-D visualization, and geophysical computer application in seismic interpretation.
Prerequisite: GEOP 415 or equivalent
GEOP 545 Petroleum Data Integration & Management (2-3-3)
Data structure and fundamental considerations, data quality, error, natural variation, data input,
verification, storage and output format, geographic information system and different types of
software, spatial data and attributes, data management and integration.
Prerequisite: Consent of the instructor
GEOP 550 Reservoir Characterization (3-0-3)
Reservoir description, scaling, core and rock description, log interpretation and calibration to 3-D
seismic, geostatistics, kriging, distributions, simulation, structural and sequence stratigraphy and
their use in reservoir characterization, reservoir heterogeneities, data integration and quality
control.
Prerequisite: GEOP 415 or equivalent
GEOP 590 Independent Study (3–0-3)
Advanced work in certain areas of geophysics, adapted to the student's own field of interest. A
well-written report and presentation are required. The course should not duplicate thesis work and
cannot be repeated for credit. Approval of the Chairman of the Department should be secured each
time the course is offered.
Prerequisite: Graduate Standing

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GEOP 592 Special Topics (3-0-3)
Advanced course that may be offered on a geophysical topic of interest to a faculty member apart
from the topics covered in the elective courses. The Department should secure the approval of the
Graduate Council each time the course is offered.
Prerequisite: Graduate Standing
GEOP 599 Seminar (1-0-0)
Graduate students are required to attend the seminars given by faculty members, visiting scholars,
and fellow graduate students. Additionally, each student must present at least one seminar on a
timely research topic. This course is designed to give the student an overview of research in the
Department, and a familiarity with the research methodology, journals, and professional societies
in his discipline. Graded on a Pass or Fail basis.
Prerequisite: Graduate Standing
GEOP 600 Geophysics Master Report (0-0-3)
The student carries out a research project on an approved topic in Geophysics. A written report
and an oral presentation are required. The project, report, and presentation should be finished in
one semester. Pass-Fail basis only. This course is available only for students enrolled in the Master
of Geophysics program.
Prerequisite: Graduate Standing
GEOP 606 Independent Research (3-0-3)
This course is intended to allow the student to conduct research in advanced problems in his M.S.
research area. The faculty offering the course should submit a research plan to be approved by the
Graduate Program Committee at the academic department. The student is expected to deliver a
public seminar and a report on his research outcomes at the end of the course. Graded on a Pass or
Fail basis.
GEOP 610 M.S. Thesis (0-0-6)
Preparation of a thesis, oral presentation and defense.
Prerequisite: GEOP 599

ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
ENVS 510 Advanced Environmental Geology (3-0-3)
Study of interaction between human activities and geologic environment; role of environmental
geological knowledge in understanding, evaluation and mitigation of geologic hazard, study the
human impacts on the generation and dispersion of contaminants on the Earth's system, and the
role of environmental geological aspects on waste disposal sitting, environmental problem-solving,
and selected case studies.
Prerequisite: Graduate standing
ENVS 514 Desertification (3-0-3)
The course covers the concept and evolution of desertification, land degradation, dimension and
distribution of desertification in each continent, process of desertification, prevention and remedial
measures. Special emphasis is given to desertification in the Middle East.
Prerequisite: ENVS 510 or consent of instructor
ENVS 515 Environmental Hydrogeology (3-0-3)
The course will emphasize the concepts of physical and chemical hydrogeology. Characterization
and evaluation of aquifers response using well hydraulics and aquifer tests. Introduction to
geophysical and geochemical methods to explore, investigate, assess, and characterize groundwater

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