Geophysics at Wits

Staff and Students on the Geophysics field school in 2011

Wits is the only university in the country which offers degrees in Geophysics at Honours, M.Sc. and Ph.D. level as well as Geophysics options for students taking the Geology degree. A degree in geophysics from Wits is recognised internationally, and Wits Geophysics students have gone on to study at many different universities in the UK, America, Canada, Australia, etc. Wits Geophysics graduates work all over the world for a variety of companies. Wits Geophysics students have come from a wide range of countries apart from South Africa, including Botswana, Namibia, Swaziland, Zimbabwe, Nigeria, Cameroon, the Ukraine, Australia, the USA, Great Britain, etc. 

The course consists of modules in image processing, signal processing, inverse theory, computer programming (Matlab), potential fields, resistivity and electromagnetic methods, global geophysics, and earthquake and reflection seismology. In addition students must attend the field school (held in the Eastern bushveld complex in June, together with visiting students from the US) and must complete an Honours project.

If you want to study Geophysics Honours at Wits you will need the following prerequisites, or their equivalent;

Maths II, Physics II, Geology I

-and an average mark in 3rd year of >60%. Computer skills, particularly programming, are also extremely useful.

Note that the course cannot be taken part-time, and students can only start in February. Funding may possibly be arranged for potential students, but this is the exception not the rule, and most students have bursaries from Geophysical companies.

If you have no Geophysics background, but have (say) an Honours or even a MSc in Geology, Physics, Mathematics, Computer Science or similar subjects you are reccomended to take the Geophysics Honours degree rather than applying for a MSc or PhD directly.

If you want to know more, please e-mail the course administrator, Dr. Mike Jones