Geophysics (GP)

Students in the Geophysics (GP) graduate program study Earth and other planets to advance our fundamental understanding of their origin, composition, and evolution, and explore the implications for life, for the environment, and for society.

The graduate program provides a broad education in the fundamentals of geophysics, alongside research and coursework spanning multiple specializations. Our flexible curriculum and multidisciplinary researchers enable us to welcome graduate students from a diverse range of backgrounds in science and engineering, producing graduates who are well prepared for future careers in academia, industry, or public service.

Our multidisciplinary program offers graduate students a unique hands-on, collaborative learning environment. A core academic curriculum provides the foundation for working on research projects that emphasize observational techniques and the collection of novel datasets linked to testing new theoretical and computational approaches. GP students participate extensively in field experiments, instrument development, laboratory investigations, and shipboard expeditions.

Research in Geophysics

For an overview of the latest geophysics research at Scripps, please see the Institute of Geophysics and Planetary Physics annual report.

Faculty and Researchers

• Yehuda Bock
• Adrian Borsa
• Catherine Constable
• Steven Constable
• Wenyuan Fan
• Yuri Fialko
• Helen Amanda Fricker
• Alice Gabriel
• Jeffrey Gee
• Peter Gerstoft
• Jamin Greenbaum
• Jennifer Haase
• Gabi Laske
• Dave May
• Matti Morzfeld
• Ross Parnell-Turner
• David Sandwell
• Peter Shearer
• Dave Stegman
• Vashan Wright
• Adam Young

Is our Geophysics graduate program for you?

At Scripps you can enroll for either a PhD or Masters (MS) degree. Many PhD students complete an MS en route to the PhD by completing sufficient units of coursework.

New in 2024-2025

We have established a new Geodesy Track within the GP program for PhD candidates. Besides the foundational geophysics courses, geodesy track students will take additional classes (see Table below) on methods and observations to study Earth’s physical processes of tectonic deformation, gravity, earthquakes, tsunamis and volcanos, meteorology, hydrology, glaciers and climate change. If you are interested in this program, please contact Faculty and Researchers that engage in geodesy-related research (contact geodesy_education-g@ucsd.edu).

Potential Advisors and Projects for Fall 2025 Admission

The following faculty and research scientists are interested in seeking new students for Fall 2025 intake. To find out more about their research, please email them individually. If you are not sure what specific area of research you wish to pursue, or have any questions, please email the admissions coordinator, Dave May, at gp-admission@ucsd.edu for help and guidance.

Yehuda Bock ybock@ucsd.edu
Geodesy, Natural Hazards. Our SOPAC group is application oriented with several research projects that can support students. These include (1) tsunami early warning systems with U.S. and Chilean agencies, (2) machine learning models for detecting transient crustal and atmospheric processes using 30-year GPS displacement and atmospheric delay time series, (3) Integration of radar interferometry and GPS for surface mapping of plate boundary deformation and subsidence due to groundwater extraction (4) Development of a dynamic reference frame for the U.S. National Spatial Reference System maintained by the National Geodetic Survey (NGS). Projects (3) and (4) are supported by NASA, California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) and California Department of Water Resources (DWR), and are in collaboration with Prof. David Sandwell’s research group.

Cathy Constable cconstable@ucsd.edu

Geomagnetism and Paleomagnetism. Projects could include 1) making time varying paleomagnetic field models on time scales from millennia to millions of years; 2) Building stochastic models for geomagnetic paleosecular variation; 3) Using paleomagnetic observables to improve realism in products of numerical geodynamo simulations.
Website: igppweb.ucsd.edu/~cathy

Steven Constable sconstable@ucsd.edu
Marine electromagnetic methods. Projects include the study of offshore groundwater, marine gas hydrate, tectonic plate boundaries, and pretty well any other geological feature found offshore. We collect and interpret our own field data, but the lab is also interested in developing algorithms and software needed for data processing and modeling/inversion of EM data.
Website: marineemlab.ucsd.edu

Wenyuan Fan wenyuanfan@ucsd.edu
Observational seismology. We focus on seismic sources and use onshore and offshore, dense array seismic observations to investigate earthquakes, slow earthquakes, subduction zone processes, environmental processes, and their interaction and triggering.
Website: igppweb.ucsd.edu/~wenyuanfan

Yuri Fialko yfialko@ucsd.edu
Space geodesy (InSAR/GNSS), earthquake and volcano deformation, active tectonics, numerical modeling, theoretical and experimental rock mechanics. Potential projects include studies of time-dependent deformation in California, Tibet, and Turkey.
Website: igppweb.ucsd.edu/~fialko

Alice Gabriel algabriel@ucsd.edu
Computational and theoretical seismology. Projects are available which use high-performance computing and physics-based modeling constrained by a multitude of observations. Application areas range from the seismic cycle in subduction zones and tsunami genesis, to strong ground motion scenarios in complicated settings, to induced seismicity. Projects may involve utilising new methods in terms of numerical discretisation, uncertainty quantification, imaging and monitoring.
Website: algabriel.scrippsprofiles.ucsd.edu

Gabi Laske glaske@ucsd.edu
Observational seismology. Research projects typically cover aspects of structural seismology. Primary targets are the measurement and tomographic modeling of surface wave dispersion in combination with other seismic observables. Our research projects often involve the collection and analysis of ocean bottom seismic data in the Pacific ocean. A new project is the OHANA project that focuses on the seismic imaging of 4-50 Myr old Pacific lithosphere halfway between Hawaii and California.
Website: igppweb.ucsd.edu/~gabi

Ross Parnell-Turner rparnellturner@ucsd.edu
Marine geophysics. Projects include 1) studying how the Iceland mantle plume controls seafloor uplift and oceanic circulation using reflection seismic and deep sea drilling data; 2) investigating volcanic eruption cycles on fast-spreading mid-ocean ridges; and 3) exploring how oceanic plate spreading is accommodated by slip on low-angle detachment faults. We collect data at sea and develop numerical models; methods include passive microearthquake monitoring, reflection seismology, and seafloor mapping using autonomous robots.
Website: rosspt.weebly.com

David Sandwell dsandwell@ucsd.edu
Geodynamics, space geodesy, global seafloor mapping. We are improving the accuracy and spatial resolution of the marine gravity field using data from satellite radar altimeters inclusing the new SWOT altimeter. The improved marine gravity is important for exploring unknown tectonics in the deep oceans as well as revealing thousands of uncharted seamounts. In addition, we are developing methods to combine the high accuracy of point GPS time series with the high spatial resolution from radar interferometry to measure interseismic velocity along the San Andreas Fault system associated with earthquake hazard. Several faculty at IGPP were recently funded by the National Geodetic Survey to train graduate students in the broad field of Geodesy. These fellowships are open to both U.S. citizens and permanent resident aliens.
Website: https://topex.ucsd.edu

Peter Shearer pshearer@ucsd.edu
Seismology. Peter Shearer may have funding to support a student to study earthquakes and/or Earth structure.
Website: https://igppweb.ucsd.edu/~shearer/mahi

Vashan Wright vwright@ucsd.edu
Granular Physics, Martian Geophysics, Reflection Seismology. Projects may include 1) assessing the relationship between slope failure, seismic velocities, and other granular physics quantities such as density of vibrational modes and force network distribution, 2) determining if and how much liquid water currently exists or used to exist in the Martian crust, and 3) understanding controls on the evolution of continental and oceanic normal and strike-slip fault systems.
Website: https://stripplelab.ucsd.edu

Requirements for GRADUATE Admission

In addition to the general requirements for admission to the PhD program, a major in physics, mathematics, or earth sciences is recommended. GRE scores are not required for Fall 2025 admission.

There are various application fee waiver programs offered by the UC San Diego Graduate Division. Please inquire with gp-admission@ucsd.edu.

GP Applicant evaluation Criteria

Factors which we use to evaluate applicants include, but are not limited to, (1) Academic Preparation; (2) Scholarly potential; (3) Diversity, equity, and inclusion contributions; (4) Alignment with the program; (5) Realistic self-appraisal; and (6) Long-term goals.

Applicants should ensure that they represent themselves accurately with the best possible information in all of the above areas. The admissions committee will consider all aspects of the application including the statement of purpose, transcripts, balance of coursework, letters of recommendation, and responses to optional questions about additional experiences. GRE scores may be included if you wish, and may serve as part of our holistic review, but they are not required. Please inquire with gp-admission@ucsd.edu.

For full consideration, please submit applications by December 4, 2024. Applications submitted after the deadline may be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Financial Support

All PhD applicants are considered for financial support. Student support during the first year may come from a variety of sources including external or departmental fellowships and research grants. More information about funding can be found here.

Additional Information

• A list of current GP graduate students.
• Graduate student handbooks.

Program of Study for PhD

The class requirements for the Geophysics graduate program consist of 50 units which are completed as follows.

1. Complete the foundational courses (26 units) in year one.
2. Complete an additional 10 units from the electives in year one.
3. Complete an additional 12 units of electives by the end of year three (but preferably earlier).
4. Complete the "Professional and ethical science requirement" (SIOG 232, 2 units) by the end
of year three.

Note that you can complete the required course work in year one if you take 16 units per quarter (and then take add SIOG 232 in year 2). You need 36 units for MS by coursework, which you can complete in year 1.

Foundational courses (26 units total)
• SIOG 200 a,b,c (2 units each = 6 units) - Geophysics Research Skills.
• SIOG 223 a,b (4 units each = 8 units) - Data Analysis.
• SIOG 225 (4 units) - Physics of Earth Materials.
• SIOG 234 (4 units) - Geodynamics.
• SIOG 238 (4 units) - Practical PDEs.

Electives
• SIOG 224 (4 units) - Internal Constitution of the Earth.
• SIOG 227a (4 units) - Introduction to Seismology.
• SIOG 227b (4 units) - Structural Seismology.
• SIOG 227c (4 units) - Earthquake Source Seismology.
• SIOG 229 (4 units) - Gravity and Geodesy.
• SIOG 230 (4 units) - Inverse Theory.
• SIOG 231 (4 units) - Geomagnetism and Electromagnetism.
• SIOG 233 (4 units) - Introduction to Computing.
• SIOG 235 (4 units) - Computational Inverse Problems.
• SIOG 236 (4 units) - Satellite Remote Sensing.
• SIOG 237 (2 units) - Space Geodesy.
• SIOG 239 (1 unit) - Seismology seminar.
• SIOG 240 (4 units) - Marine Geology and Geophysics.

• We sometimes offer special topics courses (SIOG 239), and these courses also count as electives.

Students may also take the following graduate courses in the geosciences graduate program as
electives:
• SIOG 242 - Rates and Dates.
• SIOG 246 - Global Tectonics and Basin Formation.
• SIOG 251 - Whole Earth Geochemistry.
• SIOG 253 - Interactions of Oceanic Plates and CA Margin.

In addition, students are also encouraged to attend Geophysics and Earth Section seminars for exposure to a broad range of geophysical research topics.

Program of Study for MS

The geophysics master’s degree provides a solid grounding in the fundamentals of geophysics for students intending to pursue professional positions in government, industry, or nonprofit organizations or to apply to PhD programs. Two different degree options are available:

MS Plan—Thesis

This plan combines course work and research, culminating in the preparation of a thesis. A minimum of thirty-six units of credit is required: twenty-two units are expected from Foundational Courses (see below); and twelve units of research work (SIO299) lead to the thesis. Students should contact a thesis adviser and co-adviser prior to, or as part of, the application process. Students are rarely accepted into the program without this prior consultation. This two-member faculty committee, in consultation with the student and the Geophysics Curriculum Advisor, will select the courses and research topic to be completed in two years or less.

Foundational classes:

• SIOG 200 A/B/C - Geophysics Research Skills: Geophysics 1^st year seminar (2 units/ quarter)
• SIOG 223A - Geophysical Data Analysis I (4 units)
• SIOG 223B - Geophysical Data Analysis II (4 units)
• SIOG 238 - Practical PDEs (4 units)
• SIOG 225 - Physics of Earth Materials (4 units)
• SIOG 234 - Geodynamics (4 units)

Electives:

• SIOG 221 - Plate Tectonics in Practice (4 units)
• SIOG 222 - Introduction to Industry Reflection Seismic Methods (4 units)
• SIOG 224 - Internal Constitution of the Earth (4 units)
• SIOG 227A - Introduction to Seismology (4 units)
• SIOG 227B - Structural Seismology (4 units)
• SIOG 227C - Seismological Sources (4 units)
• SIOG 228 - MS Research Seminar for students in contiguous BS/MS programs
• SIOG 229 - Fundamentals of Gravity and Geodesy (4 units)
• SIOG 230 - Introduction to Inverse Theory (4 units)
• SIOG 231 - Geomagnetism and Electromagnetism (4 units)
• SIOG 232 - Ethical and Professional Science (2 units)
• SIOG 233 - Introduction to Computing (4 units)
• SIOG 236 - Satellite Remote Sensing (4 units)
• SIOG 239 - Special Topics in Geophysics (4 units)
• SIOG 240 - Marine Geology (4 units)
• SIOG 247 - Rock Magnetism and Paleomagnetism (4 units)

Potential Upper Division UG Electives (if appropriate):

• SIO 105 - Sedimentology and Stratigraphy (4 units)
• SIO 110 - Introduction to GIS and GPS for Scientists (4 units)
• SIO 113 - Introduction to Computational Earth Science (4 units)
• SIO 160 - Introduction to Tectonics (4 units)
• SIO 161 - Seismology (4 units)
• SIO 162 - Structural Geology (4 units)
• SIO 182A - Environmental and Exploration Geophysics (4 units)

Emeritus Faculty and Researchers

• Duncan Agnew
• Jon Berger
• Catherine Degroot-Hedlin
• Alistair Harding
• Michael Hedlin
• Guy Masters
• Jean-Bernard Minster
• John Orcutt
• Len Srnka
• Hubert Staudigel
• Lisa Tauxe
• Frank Vernon
• Mark Zumberge