Introduction to Theoretical Seismology
Postgraduate course
- ECTS credits
- 10
- Teaching semesters Autumn
- Course code
- GEOV276
- Number of semesters
- 1
- Teaching language
- Norsk, English if required
- Resources
- Schedule
Course description
Objectives and Content
Objectives:
The overall goal of this course is to give the student a theoretical fundament for further studies within seismic and seismology, as well as the use of existing programs for seismic modelling.
Content:
The course gives an introduction to fundamental concepts within theoretical seismology: Stress and strain, elastic properties, plane and spherical waves, anisotropy and attenuation, reflection and transmission at plane boundaries, layered media, surface waves, ray theory and diffraction, seismic sources.
Learning Outcomes
On completion of the course the student should have the following learning outcomes defined in terms of knowledge, skills and general competence:
Knowledge
The student
- should have a deeper understanding of the most important wave phenomena relevant for seismic studies of sedimentary basins and reservoirs, and also earthquake seismology.
Skills
- The studentshould understand and be able to reproduce central mathematical derivations from the list of syllabus.
- should be able to solve new problems based on the compulsory theory.
- should implement central parts of the compulsory theory in the form of different computer programs.
- should demonstrate basic skills within seismic modelling.
General competence
The student
- will obtain experience with mathematical modelling of physical phenomena in general and seismic wave phenomena in particular.
- will obtain experience with use of Matlab for numerical calculations.
- will obtain experience with to work independently and in collaboration with others.
Level of Study
Semester of Instruction
Required Previous Knowledge
Recommended Previous Knowledge
Access to the Course
Teaching and learning methods
Lectures, 2 hours/week
Supervised exercises, 2 hours/week
The lectures emphasize geophysical understanding and derivations of central formulae, but also includes informal demonstrations and discussions of more applied nature.
The excercises includes problem solving and implementation of central parts of the theory in the form of computer programs (Matlab or Python programming). The excercises are designed in such a way that the students get continuous assistance from the lecturer, and also exercise in collaborating with each others.
Compulsory Assignments and Attendance
Forms of Assessment
The forms of assessment are
Final written exam (4 hours). Questions about the excercises are normally asked during the final written exam. This function as a summative evaluation.