Scripps geophysicist Frank Vernon with a seismic instrument array at a California desert field station.

Scripps Oceanography's Geophysics and Seismology Program Receives High Marks

Graduate program ranks fifth in the nation in U.S. News & World Report annual survey of America's Best Graduate Schools

Scripps Institution of Oceanography's earth science graduate program in geophysics and seismology ranks fifth in the nation in the latest survey by U.S. News & World Report.

The magazine issued its 2009 ratings of university programs on March 27. The rankings are based on expert opinion about program quality and statistical indicators that measure the quality of a school's faculty, research, and students.

Scripps's geophysics and seismology program draws on a strong research program in both theoretical and experimental geophysics primarily based in the Cecil H. and Ida M. Green Institute of Geophysics and Planetary Physics. It provides students with the training necessary to conduct research on physical conditions and processes within the earth and oceans.

Scripps geophysicists develop new instrumentation and analysis techniques to measure geophysical phenomena, construct three-dimensional models of the structure of the earth's crust, mantle, and core, and are continually devising new methods to improve the accuracy of earthquake locations, real-time analysis and presentation of seismic data.

"We endeavor to provide our students with a deep knowledge of basic geophysical principles, that can be applied to global problems in the earth sciences," said Cathy Constable, director of the Earth Sciences Section and professor of geophysics at Scripps Oceanography. "We are honored to be recognized by U.S. News and World Report as having an outstanding graduate research program."

Annie Reisewitz

May 2008