• Dynamics, Evolution and Simulation of Geophysical Systems (12.5 CP)

  • Advanced Geophysical Fluid Dynamics: The lecture starts with a reiteration of the basic equations of continuum mechanics and fluid dynamics. Common simplifications of these equations used in different branches of geophysics are introduced. Furthermore, the following topics are discussed: flows in rotating systems, boundary layer phenomena, instability and turbulence in geophysical systems, convection and the dynamics of the Earth’s mantle.
    On a weekly basis, students solve problem sets based on the material taught in the lectures. The solutions are graded and discussed in the practicals. In order to participate in the final exam, students must reach at least 50% of the achievable points over the course of the semester.

  • Seminar on the Dynamics and Evolution of Geophysical Systems: In self-study, students acquire specialized knowledge concerning a particular problem from the broader field of geophysical continuum and fluid dynamics. They present their results in the form of a scientific talk.

  • Numerical Simulation of Geophysical Processes: The lecture gives an introduction into numerical methods commonly used for the simulation of geophysical systems (finite differences, finite volumes, finite elements, advanced methods for solving linear and non-linear systems of equations).
    Under guidance, students develop their own simulation code for porous media flow. They directly apply the concepts taught in the lecture in a practical manner. The numerical implementation is done in weekly steps, which are discussed in the practicals. In addition, students also work on theoretical problem sets. In order to participate in the final exam, students must successfully implement the full simulation code. Furthermore, over the course of the semester, they must reach at least 50% of the points awarded for correct solutions of the problem sets.

  Note: Students are assumed to be familiar with the basics of continuum mechanics, fluid dynamics and numerical methods. Furthermore, basic programming skills are required.

  After the successful completion of all courses of this module (i.e. 50% of the achievable points have been gained in both practicals, the simulation code is fully implemented and correct and a talk has been given that meets the required standards) students have to pass a final oral exam on all topics covered in this module. The module grade is the grade obtained in this oral examination.

  • Geophysical Colloquium: In the colloquium, scientists from mainly other universities give talks on different fields of geophysics. This allows the students to gain an insight into current research, conducted at other places, as well as shows possible career and professional opportunities which may exist after graduation.

• Advanced Methods for Investigating the Earth (12.5 CP)

  • Advanced Seismology: After a short introduction to seismological principles, students learn concepts of advanced seismology for investigating the Earth (i.e. Green’s functions, ambient seismic noise, monitoring, array seismology, wave propagation modelling, advanced signal processing and others). These concepts are then used in practical exercises using real data examples for better understanding. Admission to the final examination requires active participation in the exercises, as well as a written report at the end of the term.

  • Analysis and Interpretation of Geophysical Data: Methods for the measuring, evaluation and interpretation of seismic and other geophysical data sets are taught in this course. Furthermore, modelling of the data sets are also taught. Practical exercises using real data sets are carried out for a better understanding of concepts. To pass this course a written report about an evaluation of one data set from the practical classes is required.

  After the successful completion of all courses (i.e. the active participation in the practical classes and the reports), a final oral examination on all covered topics takes place. The mark of the oral examination determines the module grade.

  • Geophysical Colloquium: In the colloquium, scientists from mainly other universities give talks on different fields of geophysics. This allows the students to gain an insight into current research, conducted at other places, as well as shows possible career and professional opportunities which may exist after graduation.

• Advanced Methods in Applied Geophysics (13 CP)

  • Modelling and Inversion: The course covers the theory of linear and non-linear inversion with a focus on geophysical applications in time series processing and geophysical imaging. Practicals include the implementation of regression and ill-posed inversion strategies and their application to synthetic examples and real-world data. Students will be familiarized with widely used regression and inversion approaches in geophysics and other fields of science.

  • Magnetotellurics: Magnetotellurics uses natural geomagnetic variations to probe the Earth lithosphere and upper mantle for its electric conductivity. The method is applied in fundamental geophysical research on the structure and composition of the lithosphere as well as in exploration problems. The course covers the theoretical principles of electromagnetic induction in the Earth and the processing, analysis and inversion of magnetotelluric data. Synthetic and real-world magnetotelluric data from current research projects are studied in form of practicals. Students will be enabled to work with and to evaluate magnetotelluric data and models.

  • Advanced Field Course: Students plan, conduct, analyze and report geophysical measurements to solve a given geophysical or geological research problem in the frame of a supervised field course. The course is typically embedded into ongoing research projects, or a dedicated student research project will be defined. Targets can be within Germany or other countries in Europe.
    It is strongly recommended that students have successfully completed the courses on modelling and inversion and on magnetotellurics before attending the field course.
    
    Note: The field course is financially supported by the department of physics, but additional costs for students may be involved, e.g. to cover accommodation for the period of the course.

  The module is successfully completed by passing an oral exam about the courses on modelling and inversion and magnetotellurics, and by acceptance of a report about the field course. Admission to the oral examination is only possible if at least 50% of the possible points are achieved in both practicals. The grade of the module is averaged from the grades for the oral exam and for the field course report.

!!! In total, the modules "Elective Studies" and "Interdisciplinary Studies" must achieve a cumulative sum of 22 CP.

• Elective Studies (14 - 18 CP)

  One of the following three modules is chosen!

  • Materials Physics: The students are introduced to the description of single- and multi-component materials and their microstructure as well as the coupling between microstructure and property. The description of defects of the crystal lattice as well as their properties and their characterization by using modern methods of materials research are discussed to provide the students with a fundamental understanding of the properties of functional materials.
    Students take part in mandatory courses (lectures, exercises, laboratory courses) and choose one additional course upon agreement with the module representative. At the end, an final oral examination on the covered topics takes place and results in the module grade.

  • Non-linear Physics: Students are introduced to important phenomena and terminology of nonlinear physics in a general form. They get a comprehensive understanding of nonlinear physics, ranging from the classification of stationary, oscillating and chaotic behaviour in systems with few degrees of freedom via the spontaneous formation of structures in spatially extended systems up to non-linear wave phenomena and turbuleces, and apply it to various examples.
    Students choose lectures together with exercises, one seminar, and at least one laboratory course offered in non-linear physics upon agreement with the module representative. At the end, an final oral examination on the covered topics takes place and results in the module grade.

  • Geosciences:           Only taught in German!
    Students choose courses from the field of geosciences which are in a meaningful context to the geophysics program. The election of courses should be made from the Bachelor’s program in geosciences and set clear thematic priorities. The election must be agreed upon in advance with the respective module representative. In general, the students take part in the exam for each course they have chosen. The module grade results from the examination grades weighted by the credit points assigned to the associated courses.

• Interdisciplinary Studies (at least 4 - 8 CP)

  Students choose freely among courses offered at the university of Münster to gain additional qualifications. The courses shall be in a meaningful context to geophysics and the professional qualification. The election of courses must be agreed upon in advance with the respective module representative. The students must take part in at least one degree-relevant examination. The module grade is given by the best grade obtained in degree-relevant examinations or the module final examination.

• Project Design and Master's Project (each 30 CP)

  The professional specialization and project design imparts the scientific basis for the independent work on the master‘s thesis. This module will be successfully completed with a final presentation by giving a talk.
  During the master’s project the student works independently on a well-defined scientific problem by using scientific methods. The results are presented in written form in the master’s thesis and in oral form in the final presentation.