DLESE description of Introduction to Geophysical Exploration

This site contains resources that support an introductory course in exploration geophysics. The materials are designed for use in teaching geophysics to non-geophysicists. Course materials include all those that you would normally associate with an on-line course; lecture notes, references, on-line quizzes, etc. These materials are divided into four modules, one each describing the theory and use of gravity, magnetic, DC resistivity, and refraction seismic observations. Although traditional course materials are included, the core the course is built around the use and support of an interactive case study approach. Unlike a traditional case study, an interactive case study, through the use of computer simulations, allows students to become engaged in the case study by providing them the opportunity to make all of the relevant decisions (i.e., survey design and cost decisions, data and interpretation decisions, etc.) regarding the case. In completing an interactive case study, the intent is to help students develop an intuitive understanding of the nature of geophysical exploration, and to also develop an appreciation for how geophysicists think, learn how to communicate with them, and develop a sense for what subsurface properties can and can not be constrained by geophysical investigations.