Geophysics

Imagine exploring our magnificent planet – from its hot core through to its crust and oceans, atmosphere and beyond.

If you have a curiosity about how our planet works, a love of the outdoors, and an aptitude for physics and maths, then Geophysics may be the career for you.

Geophysics is the study of physical processes through the use of physics and mathematics and applying them to the Earth.

You can explore the microscopic properties of minerals through to large scale forces such as gravity and magnetism that act on planetary or even inter-planetary scales.

Through this programme, you will discover about the inner workings of the Earth to understand it and safeguard its future. You will be equipped with the fundamental physical principles and mathematical techniques of geophysics, and their application to diverse fields including:

- Examining the Earth's changing environment and climate through monitoring changes in sea level, surface temperatures, and polar ice sheets

- Mapping environmental pollution above and below ground

- Measuring rock and soil properties prior to civil engineering work

- Carbon capture, energy storage and management of water resources

- Mineral exploration

- Examining the behaviour of the Earth's deep interior and understanding how the Earth and other planets were formed and changed over their lifetime

Geophysics has a significant impact on the welfare of society and our world.

Exploration geophysics has helped us to find the energy sources that have driven many of the social and economic advances over the last century. Now, these techniques are increasingly being used to safeguard our natural environment.

For example, gravity surveys can tell us about mass losses from the ice sheets of Greenland and Antarctica, as well as changes in the water table in regions reliant on groundwater. Large scale global seismology has helped us to identify areas at risk from earthquakes and tsunami to save lives.

The use of the Earth's natural resources is also evolving. You will learn how the applications for natural resource exploration are shifting into new and innovative technologies to ensure the Earth's resources are used and disposed of more sustainably. You will benefit from the research and expertise of our academics, many of whom are at the forefront of this change.

If you choose to study geophysics at the University of Edinburgh, you will become part of an academic community in one of the leading geoscience departments in the UK and one of the top-ranked universities in the world. As a result, you will experience teaching and learning at the forefront of this knowledge and learn from one of the largest groupings of geophysicists in Europe who are undertaking world-leading research in a wide range of areas.

We hope that by studying this degree, you can play an important role in our transition into a more sustainable society.

**Flexible options**

Our degree programs are flexible, allowing you to switch between Geophysics programmes at the start of your second year. Depending on your future plans, you can choose from Geophysics, Geophysics and Geology, or Geophysics and Meteorology. The course structure also makes it possible to transfer to Physics at the end of your first year.

You have the option to stay an extra year and do an MEarthPhys integrated Masters. You can also choose the 'Professional Placement' option, and spend a year at an external organisation between years three and four, to similarly graduate with an integrated masters degree.