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What is the difference between Earth Sciences and Geophysics?

I'd like to know the difference between these two courses
Reply 1
Original post by Imranfr0
I'd like to know the difference between these two courses


Exactly what is studied will depend on the university. They are closely interlinked and will often study many of the same modules, but with geophysics students taking the more maths/physics focused modules - e.g. vibrations/waves, seismology, thermodynamics, modelling, magnetism, geodesy etc. Earth science students may end up doing some of these, but their modules might include more geochemistry, and will involve looking at more rocks, minerals and fossils. It's worth looking at the different course breakdowns on the different university websites.

Basically if you want a more numerical course, take the geophysics route (although the best Earth science and geology courses will also have a fair amount of maths).

Is there a particular university you are thinking of here?
(edited 9 years ago)
Reply 2
Original post by Zottula
Exactly what is studied will depend on the university. They are closely interlinked and will often study many of the same modules, but with geophysics students taking the more maths/physics focused modules - e.g. vibrations/waves, seismology, thermodynamics, modelling, magnetism, geodesy etc. Earth science students may end up doing some of these, but their modules might include more geochemistry, and will involve looking at more rocks, minerals and fossils. It's worth looking at the different course breakdowns on the different university websites.

Basically if you want a more numerical course, take the geophysics route (although the best Earth science and geology courses will also have a fair amount of maths).

Is there a particular university you are thinking of here?


I'm thinking about doing geophysics at imperial college, but at the same time i'm thinking about doing earth sciences at cambridge (i know its hard to get in there, but i believe i can :tongue:). Thank you for answering my question, i think that i'll do earth sciences as there is a lower amount of maths.
Reply 3
Original post by Imranfr0
I'm thinking about doing geophysics at imperial college, but at the same time i'm thinking about doing earth sciences at cambridge (i know its hard to get in there, but i believe i can :tongue:). Thank you for answering my question, i think that i'll do earth sciences as there is a lower amount of maths.


I think the Earth Sciences course at Cambridge is taught as part of the Natural Sciences course. So in your first couple of years you'll be doing courses in biology, chemistry, physics and maths, and then will specialise in earth sciences later on in 3rd and 4th year. I expect you will still have to do plenty of maths.

With Geophysics at Imperial, in first year you'll do pretty much the same modules at people studying Geology, and then your paths will diverge more in later years, in particular 3rd and 4th year. But obviously with this route you'll be going into just geology/geophysics earlier on that you would at Cambridge.

These are fairly different routes. So consider which would suit you more.
(edited 9 years ago)

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