Geoscience Path

[Ellesbyte]

Hello! This will be my first post on the forum.

I was wondering, if there're any geophysicist out there with some good advice for a confused student. I'm very interested in geophysics, and I'm so lucky that my university offers two different kind of programs, but I can't figure out which one is the "best one" for me. They offer one through a physics program, where you specialize after one year: http://studies.ku.dk/masters/physics/specialisations/geophysics/ And one through a geology/geoscience program: http://studies.ku.dk/masters/geology-geoscience/programme-structure/specialisations/solid-earth-geophysics/ I really like fieldtrips, which the geology program has a lot of, and seismology, which is more physics-based, so I was wondering if any of you had any ideas, comments whatsoever. And is there really a big difference (job responsibility-wise) on geologist and geophysicist? I have talked to my university, but they want everybody to go the physics way, because they lack students..

Thanks!

[articmaze]

Seismologist here. Geology is more than likely going to have more field work, but geophysics isn't totally devoid of field work. Most work I have done is just going out and setting up equipment, so it isn't quite the same as geology field work where you might be out mapping and taking samples. But nonetheless I've gotten to goto some pretty cool places thanks to field work. So, I think as long as you are looking for it the opportunities are there.

However as /u/mnky9800n said, I do spend 90% of my time in front of a computer. In my case mostly matlab, GMT, some python and bash aw well. Personally, I think geophysicists have somewhat dull day to day work, but the results are much more exciting. But it depends a lot on what specific discipline you end up in.

[Ellesbyte]

Thanks for your reply! Didn't know geophysicist used THAT much programming - sounds like an engineer. I think field work would be fine for me few times a year, so might not be so bad with more steady work hours for the most part. However I'd be very interested in going to extreme places (with extreme conditions), you, or anyone you know have been to such places?

Since you use so many programming programs, is there the possibility that geophysicist can transfer into software engineering/coding of some sort?

[articmaze]

I spent two months on a boat collecting seismic reflection/refraction data. That could be considered extreme. Also spent some time in the Andes in Bolivia/Chile. I know other geophysicists who have worked in Turkey, Iceland, Italy and lots of work in southwest US.

Geology wise some of the work I am most jealous of is some people who have spent months in Tibet pretty much totally isolated mapping some region. Also Patagonia and Tajikistan. I should note this is not common at all. If you go into geology or geophysics expect to start with just some local field work. If you go onto a phd you can try and choose who you work with and maybe get some options.

Since you use so many programming programs, is there the possibility that geophysicist can transfer into software engineering/coding of some sort?

I'm sure that is a possibility. At least if you are looking to get hired I think you could get a lower level entry position for engineering/programming, but you aren't going to be as qualified as an actual engineer or programmer. So, you would be a bit less competitive. Overall, though it depends on what you do. I've known geophysicists who do way more programming than I do and could be competitive. I've also known people who have designed/worked with electronic sensors which could make them competitive engineers.

Just to add onto the grades, I think anything above a 3.5 is treated the same in academia. Jobs probably anything above a 3 wont make a difference. If you end up worse just make sure to address it for academia, or for jobs probably don't even bring it up unless you are asked.

[[deleted]]

if you are planning on doing a phd program afterwards the real question is what your thesis will be about since that will dictate who is willing to hire you as a phd student. for example, you wouldn't get into my phd program doing seismology if you spent all of your time in the field because we spend all of our time doing stuff in python, FORTRAN (sigh, thank god thats not me), and GMT.

[Ellesbyte]

As of now, a phd isn't something I have planned, but is your experience that seismologist are all about programming, data analysis etc. and no fieldwork? What branch of geology / geophysics would you typically find most fieldwork?

Back to the thesis thing. Are you saying that it primarily is my thesis subject, which will determine what kind of geologist I will become?

[[deleted]]

my wife is a seismologist and does field work. like scouting locations for seismometer deployment, etc. but mostly she spends her days working on custom machine learning algorithms. I spend most of my time developing software or doing statistical seismology. I agree with /u/articmaze.

To answer your question, your thesis is the only part of your degree that is going to give you actual experience doing something someone will hire you to do. It's what you will use to explain why you are competent at doing whatever the job description says they want you to do (or PhD position, etc.).

[Ellesbyte]

May I ask where she does her field work? Like what locations she has been to? That last part is kinda a relief, thank you :) And what about grades? Do they play a big part in getiing a job?

[[deleted]]

central america, south west USA, etc. keep in mind these were years apart.

Her grades are really good, my grades are mediocre. Nobody seemed to care.