Career in Geophysics

Geophysics is the study of the physics of the earth, especially its crust, and applied geophysics deals with the application of methods of physics to study the earth. Geophysics and applied geophysics are rare, specialised disciplines available at the postgraduate level. The Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) at Kharagpur and Mumbai offer M.Sc. Geophysics and M.Sc. Applied Geophysics respectively (15 seats each) and IIT-Roorkee offers M.Tech. Applied Geophysics (10 seats).Besides, M.Sc.- Ph.D. Dual Degree programmes in Physics are available in the IITs at Mumbai (8 seats) and Kanpur (9 seats). M.Sc. Physics is offered at all IITs: Mumbai (25 seats), Delhi (35), Guwahati (30), Kanpur (19), Kharagpur (30), Chennai (35) and Roorkee (16). Selection to all these programmes are based on the Joint Admission Test (JAM) conducted by the IIT annually.Entry qualification for the M.Sc. Geophysics course conducted by IIT-Kharagpur is a bachelor's degree and the candidates should have studied any two of these subjects — physics, mathematics and geology — for at least two years/ four semesters and the third one for at least one year/ two semesters.Entry qualification for M.Sc. Applied Geophysics/ M.Tech. Applied Geophysics offered by IIT- Bombay and IIT-Roorkee respectively is bachelor's degree with mathematics and physics as subjects and any one of the following subjects: chemistry, geology, statistics, electronics and computer science.IIT-Bombay requires a bachelor's degree of at least three-year duration and IIT-Roorkee requires at least 60 per cent aggregate marks in the qualifying degree. M.Sc. Physics/ M.Sc.-Ph.D. Dual Degree programmes in Physics conducted by IITs at Mumbai, Delhi, Guwahati, Kanpur, Kharagpur, Madras and Roorkee require a bachelor's degree with physics as a subject for three years/ six semesters and mathematics for at least two years/ four semesters for admission, with varying mark stipulations.Students appearing in the final examination of the qualifying degree will also be eligible to appear in JAM. The test paper in geophysics is applicable for M.Sc. Applied Geophysics, Geophysics and M.Tech. Applied Geophysics and test paper in physics is applicable for M.Sc. Physics and M.Sc.-Ph.D. Dual Degree programme in Physics. The Department of Applied Geophysics of the Indian School of Mines University, Dhanbad - 826 004, offers excellent study facilities for M.Sc. Tech Degree (3 years) programme in Applied Geophysics. Entry qualification is B.Sc. Physics with mathematics as one of the major subjects. Physics students must have studied mathematics as one of the subsidiaries and mathematics students must have studied physics as a subsidiary subject. Other subsidiary subjects may be chemistry, geology, geography, electronics, statistics and computer/engineering science/application. Selection is through the all-India-level entrance test conducted by the ISM University. Test centres include Chennai, Hyderabad, Delhi, Mumbai and Varanasi.The entrance test includes one paper in physics (for physics main graduates) and one paper in mathematics (for mathematics main graduates). This entrance notification can be expected during December/ January every year.ISM University also conducts a five-year integrated M.Sc. Tech Applied Geophysics and Applied Geology courses and also an M.Sc. applied Physics course. For more details, visit website www.ismdhanbad.ac.in.Those who obtain higher degrees, including doctorates, can try to secure specialist jobs in scientific institutions such as the Centre for Earth Science Studies, Geological survey of India, Natural Institute of Oceanography, the academic field, Government agencies such as research laboratories, defence research development organisations, oil refineries and the ONGC.Those who specialise in exploration geophysics will find good opportunities in mining and refinery fields.