New Scripps, SDSU Program Strengthens Earth Science Education

A new joint program in geophysics between Scripps Institution of Oceanography at UC San Diego and San Diego State University (SDSU) will address the urgent need for scientists to study fundamental issues relating to earthquakes, energy and the environment. The Ph.D. program in earthquake science and applied geophysics will be accepting students in fall 2010.

“This program builds upon a long-standing collaboration between geophysicists at Scripps and SDSU and complements each university’s existing program,” said Scripps professor Bernard Minster, co-director of the new program. “This alliance will further enrich the opportunities for both faculty and students.”

Both UCSD and SDSU have active programs in geophysics and integrating their academic curricula will strengthen ongoing earth science research in San Diego. Faculty from the Institute of Geophysics and Planetary Physics (IGPP) at Scripps and the Department of Geological Sciences at SDSU will participate in the program, which aims to prepare students with the broad skills needed to address both local and global societal problems where geophysics can contribute to the solutions. It will focus on enhancing scientific understanding of earthquake hazards and utilizing advanced geophysical methods for energy, resource, and environmental exploration.

Students seeking admission to the joint Ph.D. program must meet the general requirements for admission to both universities and be accepted by each institution. Students will spend at least one academic year in residency at each campus during their course of study.