uwloo

EARTH 260Introductory Applied Geophysics

Units
0.50
Faculty
Science
Subject
Earth Sciences

When it runs

  1. F24
  2. W25
  3. S25
  4. F25
  5. W26
  6. S26
  7. F26
  8. W27
  9. S27

Ran in 3 of the last 7 terms. Winter 2027: not on the schedule. Spring 2027: schedule not out yet.

Applied geophysics provides geoscientists with a wide-range of non-invasive methods for characterizing the Earth's interior. This course is an introduction to the physical principles underlying field acquisition, processing, and data interpretation for commonly used applied geophysical techniques (seismic, electrical, electromagnetic induction, gravity, and magnetic methods). This course is not only pertinent for geoscientists but also for engineers and others interested in learning how physics can be used to explore the Earth's interior or perform non-destructive testing.

Prerequisites

  • Complete 1 of the following
    • Must have completed at least 1 of the following:
    • Must have completed the following:

Antirequisites

None listed.

Leads to

Fall 2026 sections

Enrolment from UW Open Data, which can trail Quest by up to two days. Instructors and rooms: Schedule of Classes.
SectionClassEnrolledMeets
LEC 001698158 / 75TTh 11:30–12:50
TUT 101742358 / 75F 13:00–14:20

Reviewed on UW Flow

63% liked it20% easy67% useful

From 19 ratings and 4 comments on UW Flow. The most helpful comments, quoted as written, without names. Read them all on UW Flow.

  • I took this online, and boy does it suffer from it. The entire course is vague notes where you'll have to draw your own conclusions from context in order to do the quizzes. Problem is, most of the time the context isn't there. It's like trying to make pancakes with nothing but flour. No lectures which the course desperately needs because, as you'd expect, most people taking geophysics for the first time haven't actually done geophysics before. Part of me feels bad, because I think there's a lot of content to cover in a short period for the Prof, but then again, I still had to do it and I wasn't happy about it. TLDR: Lots of notes, no lectures to clear them up. Infer from context that isn't…

    Nov 2021 · didn’t like it · 1 found this helpfulOn UW FlowRemove this

  • Worst Earth class ever. All I can say is avoid if at all possible

    Mar 2018 · didn’t like it · 1 found this helpfulOn UW FlowRemove this

  • This is one of the courses that I wish I will never have to take again.

    Oct 2014 · didn’t like it · 1 found this helpfulOn UW FlowRemove this

  • To be honest, I was afraid of this course going in, as I am terrible at physics. Passed with 50’s in 1st year. Once you get into the heart of this course, the concepts are quite comprehensive and straightforward. If you understand the underlying theory and key components of each method that is being taught, you can ace the assignments. The use of excel was probably the hardest part for me, just figuring out if I entered the equations right, but the TA was more than happy to give you a crash course if needed. The quizzes aren’t too bad, if you attended class and read through the slideshows, you’ll have most of the answers already. The way Colby teaches the course really stood out to me, he…

    Jan 2024 · liked itOn UW FlowRemove this

Discussed on r/uwaterloo

2 posts and comments in 2 threads mention EARTH 260, August 2013 to December 2024. Quoted word for word, newest first; each reply sits under the post and the comment that started its branch. Search r/uwaterloo for newer posts.

Fall 2017

Any way to disable UWCourseLinker from posting? 16 points, 26 comments

“posting a reply to my comment I find the bot annoying.”

u/Jackhofmann: “PSYCH 483 PSYCH 484 PSYCH 485 PSYCH 486 PSYCH 490R PSYCH 499A PSYCH 499B PSYCH 499C PSYCH 621 PSYCH 630 PSYCH 677A PSYCH 704A PSYCH 704B PSYCH 707 PSYCH 710 PSYCH 714 PSYCH 717 PSYCH 720A PSYCH 721A …”

u/Jackhofmann: “… DRAMA 491 DUTCH 101 DUTCH 201 EARTH 121 EARTH 121L EARTH 123 EARTH 123L EARTH 231 EARTH 235 EARTH 260 EARTH 331 EARTH 342 EARTH 421 EARTH 436A EARTH 436B EARTH 440 EARTH 444 EARTH 458 EARTH 458L EARTH 461 EARTH 499 EARTH 625 EARTH 626 EARTH 627 EARTH 650 EARTH 653 EARTH 668 …”

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Spring 2013

Check it elsewhere for Fall 2026

Calendar versions

Undergraduate Calendar