Online & Special Programs

This program offers a comprehensive curriculum focused on applied subsurface geophysics, with a specialization in Petroleum Geophysics. Classes are scheduled on Friday afternoons and Saturdays to accommodate working professionals, though employment is not required for admission.

The program aims to train students for professional roles requiring advanced geophysical backgrounds in academic, educational, governmental, and industrial sectors. Geophysics graduate students have consistently had a high employment rate in the discipline, with careers in environmental geophysics, the petroleum and mining industries, government, and academia. Graduates can expect promising job prospects, as the demand for geophysicists is projected to grow by 5% from 2018 to 2028. Additionally, geophysicists, including those specializing in petroleum geophysics, have a median annual wage of $105,067, reflecting the value and importance of their expertise in the energy sector.

Geophysics is highly quantitative, requiring a firm background in mathematics and physics. Students study a wide range of topics including the physics of earthquakes and seismic energy propagation, development and integration of several aspects of reservoir characterization using data from actual oil and gas fields, or numerical techniques for mathematical modeling of various earth-system phenomena — along with many other areas of research.

UH's Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences faculty are internationally recognized for their research and teaching excellence, with extensive experience in both governmental and industrial geoscience positions. The department's strong connections with industry leaders and government agencies provide students with valuable networking opportunities and insights into the latest advancements in geophysics and petroleum geophysics.