CAREER GUIDE
Higher studies in geophysics
Photo: K.R. Deepak
PHYSICS OF EARTH: Students detail the features of equipment used for scanning the sea bed at an exhibition held at the National Institute of Oceanography.
Geophysics is the study of the physics of the Earth, especially its crust. Another related discipline is applied geophysics, which deals with the application of methods of physics to study the Earth.
Indian Institute of Technology-Bombay offers M.Sc. applied geophysics (13 seats), M.Sc. physics (33 seats) and M.Sc.-Ph.D. programme in physics (10 seats). IITs at Delhi, Guwahati, Kanpur, Chennai and Roorkee offer M.Sc. physics. IITs at Kanpur and Kh
aragpur offer M.Sc.-Ph.D. dual degree in physics and IIT Kharagpur conducts M.Sc.-Ph.D. dual degree in geophysics (21 seats). IIT Roorkee offers M.Tech. geophysical technology (12 seats).
Entry qualification for M.Sc. applied geophysics conducted by IIT Bombay is a bachelor’s degree with physics and mathematics as subjects for two years and at least one of them as a subject for three years.
Entry qualification for M.Sc.-Ph.D. dual degree in geophysics conducted by IIT Kharagpur is a bachelor’s degree with either two of physics, mathematics or geology for at least two years or four semesters each and the remaining one for at least one year or two semesters.
Entry qualification for M.Tech. geophysical technology conducted by IIT Roorkee is a bachelor’s degree with mathematics and physics as subjects and any one among chemistry, geology, statistics, electronics and computer science as the subsidiary subject.
Entry qualification for M.Sc. physics conducted by IITs at Bombay, Delhi, Guwahati, Kanpur, Chennai and Roorkee and M.Sc.-Ph.D. dual degree in physics conducted by IITs at Bombay, Kanpur and Kharagpur is a bachelor’s degree with physics as a subject for at least two years or four semesters and mathematics for at least one year or two semesters.
The candidates should have secured at least 55 per cent marks in aggregate for the qualifying examination to apply for all these programmes (50 per cent for candidates belonging to the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes and differently-abled candidates). Selection is based on the Joint Admission Test (JAM). For details, visit http://jam.iitkgp.ac.in.
School of Mines
The Department of Applied Geophysics of the Indian School of Mines University, Dhanbad - 826 004, offers excellent study facilities for M.Sc.-Tech degree (three years) programme in applied geophysics. Entry qualification is B.Sc. physics and mathematics as one of the major subjects.
Selection is through the all-India level entrance test conducted by ISM University. ISM University also conducts five-year integrated M.Sc.-Tech programmes in applied geophysics and applied geology and M.Sc. applied physics. For details, visit www.ismdhanbad.ac.in.
The Cochin University of Science and Technology offers M.Sc. marine geophysics. Entry qualification is B.Sc. degree with at least 55 per cent marks in aggregate in geology (mathematics and physics or chemistry as subsidiaries), physics (mathematics and geology, chemistry or electronics as subsidiaries) or mathematics (physics and geology or chemistry as subsidiaries). Selection is through CUSAT CAT. The Manonmaniam Sundaranar University, Abishekapatti, Tirunelveli - 627 012, offers M.Sc. applied geophysics in the self-financing mode for meritorious graduates in physics. Selection is based on an entrance examination. Details of more institutions or universities offering postgraduate programmes in geophysics and applied geophysics and similar courses can be obtained from the University Hand Book published by the Association of Indian Universities. Those who are undergoing B.Sc. programme in the relevant subjects should complete their degrees with good marks and choose prominent institutes or universities for higher study in M.Sc. or M.Sc. (Tech) or M.Tech. in geophysics, applied geophysics or relevant subjects. Those who complete the M.Sc. programme with 55 per cent marks or appear for the final-year M.Sc. examination can apply for the Junior Research Fellowship and National Eligibility Test or the Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering and go for research leading to Ph.D.
Those who obtain higher degrees, including doctorate, can try to secure specialist jobs in scientific institutions such as the Centre for Earth Science Studies, Geological Survey of India and the National Institute of Oceanography, government agencies such as research laboratories, the Defence Research and Development Organisation, ONGC and oil companies and in the academic filed. Those who specialise in exploration geophysics can find good opportunities in mining and refinery fields.
GOPAKUMAR KARAKONAM
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