GPH 201: Principles of Geophysics                                                                        3(2+0+2) 

Physical and mathematical laws and its relation to the Earth properties, Elasticity theory and properties of wave propagation in seismic reflections, refractions, wave equations, seismic wave characteristics, Potential field theories, Principles of different exploration techniques, Interpretation of earth’s structures from geophysical data. 

GPH 211: Gravity and Magnetic Exploration                                                       3(2+0+2) 

Introduction. Importance of gravity and magnetic exploration methods and its use. Instruments for gravity and magnetic measurements. Gravity and magnetic surveying.  Data reduction, and processing. Application of the gravity and magnetic methods to oil, mineral and groundwater exploration. Interpretation of Aeromagnetic maps. Qualitative and quantitative interpretation of gravity and magnetic data. (Field applications – Two days)

GPH 221: Seismic Exploration                                                                               3(2+0+2) 

Introduction. Importance of seismic exploration. Seismic waves and factors affecting its propagation. Seismic velocities. Reflection and refraction. Time-distance relations for reflected and refracted seismic waves in layered media. Instrumentation and field procedures. Seismic sources. Corrections of seismic data, Seismic noise.  Multiple seismic reflections. Measurements of seismic velocities. Data reduction and qualitative and quantitative interpretation. Seismic migration. Seismic Stratigraphy.  (Field applications – Two days) 

GPH 231: Geoelectric and Electromagnetic Exploration                                    3(2+0+2) 

Introduction. Importance of the electrical and electromagnetic methods and their applications. Electrical conductivity of rocks. Basic theory of direct current conduction  and EM induction. Time domain and frequency domain systems. Transient EM. Induced and spontaneous polarization. Down-hole electric and EM techniques. Instrumentation. Field procedures. Qualitative and quantitative interpretation. (Field applications – Two days)

GPH 313: Seismology                                                                                           3(2+0+2) 

Earthquakes: Causes, Types. Historical background. Earthquake measurement instruments. Seismic wave propagation in spherically Earth and travel time graphs. Earthquakes source parameters, magnitudes, intensity scales. Processing of Earthquakes data. Earthquakes mechanisms. International observatory networks. Internal structure of the Earth. Solutions of Earthquake focal mechanism. Heterogeneity and inelasticity.

GPH 317: Time Series Analysis                                                                              2(2+0+0) 

Different types of Fourier series analysis. Digital filtering. Matrix processing techniques. Waves polarity analysis. Application of inverse linear and non-linear theories in solving geophysical problems. 

GPH 319: Petrophysics                                                                                            2(2+0+0) 

A review of rocks (sedimentary, igneous and metamorphic), Physical properties of rocks and fluids that affect the distribution and movement of fluids such as oil, gas, water, or contaminants in porous media including porosity, permeability, capillary pressure, surface and interfacial tension, Wettability, and viscosity. Darcy’s law for anisotropic porous media.

GPH 381: Geophysical Reports                                                                              1(1+0+0) 

Writing scientific papers, theses and reports. Methods of criticism. Geophysical terminologies. Geophysical date presentation. Structure of a geophysical report. How to write an ideal technical report and scientific paper. Manifestation of results.

GPH 390: Radiometric and Geothermal methods                                                2(2+0+0) 

Rocks radiation. Theory of radioactivity and half life. Instruments for measuring natural radiation. Radiometric survey on land and from air. Interpretation of radiation readings. Temperature of the Earth and its relation to the radioactive materials. Theory of  Heat flow. Temperature gradient with depth and its change with time and location. Geothermal measurements. The use of radiometric and geothermal methods in modern applications.

GPH 393: Field geophysics                                                                                      6(0+0+12)

Field study in a summer field camp for forty five days.  Introduction to different geologic and geophysical techniques for topographic and geologic mapping.  Developing subsurface geologic maps for selected areas under study.  Basic geologic relationships with emphasis on geologic structures and stratigraphic correlation for different types of rocks. Geophysical field measurements, data collection, reduction, analysis and interpretation, weekly reports and a final project team report.

GPH 401: Physics of the Earth                                                                                2(2+0+0) 

Structure of the Earth as deduced from geophysical methods: the crust, mantle and core, their physical and chemical properties. Terrestrial heat flow, convection currents and phase transitions. Geomagnetism and paleomagnetism. Relation between seismology, global gravity, densities, earth’s magnetism and the structure of the Earth.  Plate tectonics. Hydrostatic sphere. Free oscillations of the Earth. Principle of the isostasy.

GPH 410: Geophysical Well Logging                                                                      3(2+0+2) 

A review of rocks (sedimentary, igneous and metamorphic), Physical properties of rocks and fluids that affect the distribution and movement of fluids such as oil, gas, water, or contaminants in porous media including porosity, permeability, capillary pressure, surface and interfacial tension, Wettability, and viscosity. Darcy’s law for anisotropic porous media. (Field applications – Two days)

GPH 411: Geophysical Data Processing                                                                2(2+0+0) 

Theory of frequency filtering. Separation techniques for regional and residual fields in space and frequency domain. Methods to calculate the second vertical derivatives for potential fields. Downward and upward Modeling magnetic data. Ambiguities in interpretation of potential fields data interpretation. Linear analysis  theory for digital data. Fast forward and inverse Fourier analysis and its application in data processing.  Seismic data enhancement. Advanced seismic data interpretation. Seismic stratigraphy and direct detection of hydrocarbons

GPH 412: Engineering Seismology                                                                         2(2+0+0) 

Probabilistic and deterministic theory. Different kinds of earthquake sources and its relation to faulting mechanism. Seismic risk and hazard, Seismic zoning. Attenuation relations, soil liquefaction. Earthquake response of structures, design of earthquake - resistant structures.

GPH 416: Seismotectonics of the Middle East                                                      2(2+0+0) 

A comprehensive study of the tectonics of the Middle East. Arabian plate boundaries, Correlation between earthquake occurrences and tectonically active regions. Red Sea spreading , Dead Sea transform fault system .  Atlas Mountains, Afar triangle, and Arabian Gulf. Crustal Structures.

GPH 417: Hydrogeophysics                                                                                   3(2+0+2)

Introduction, Cross-hole hydraulic tests (slug or pump testing), Hydrostratigraphy, Hydraulic conductivity, Surface hydrology, Seismic Refraction Tomography, Ground Penetrating Radar, Electrical Resistivity Tomography, Airborne & remote sensing hydrogeophysics. Applications and case studies (2 days Field Trips).

GPH 424: Environmental Geophysics                                                                    2(2+0+0) 

The use of all geophysical methods (seismic, gravity, magnetic, ground penetrating radar, electric, and radiometric) in solving environmental problems. Pollution determination and monitoring. Site selection for waste disposal. Geophysical impact assessment of engineering structures to ensure its safety and suitability for environment protection. 

GPH 431: Seismic stratigraphy                                                                                  2(2+0+0)

Introduction, Velocity and resolution, Processing for stratigraphic interpretation, Seismic sequence analysis, Seismic facies analysis, Reef patterns, Seismic trace modeling, Reflection character analysis, Hydrocarbon indicators.

GPH 444: Marine Geophysics                                                                                    2(2+0+0)

 Introduction, Marine Geophysics: An Overview, Marine Geotechnique, An Overview, Echo Sounders, Side Scan Sonar, Subbottom Profilers, Seismic Sources, Marine Magnetometers 

GPH 496: Graduation Project (1)                                                                           3(0+0+6)

Senior student’s engagement in individual/independent research project with faculty supervision. Investigation of any selected problems in applied or theoretical geophysics. Determine the subject of research and development of systematic planning to conduct research - a review and study of previous studies - studies and field data collection and measurement.

GPH 497: Graduation Project (2)                                                                           3(0+0+6)

Analysis and discussion of data - data processing - interpretation of results - a written report must be submitted and oral presentation made for evaluation by a committee appointed by the department.