Department of Physics and Geosciences
The Department of Physics and Geosciences offers an M.S. degree in Petrophysics, as well as graduate courses in Geology and in Physics. Graduate courses in Geology and Physics provide a strong supporting field for a major in another science, mathematics or engineering.
Master of Science in Petrophysics
Petrophysics is the study of physical and chemical properties of reservoirs (rocks and fluids). It is the first such program in North America, and addresses properties of subsurface rock formations and the fluid within those strata with particular application to the petroleum exploration and production industry. The course work including graduate research project is a multidisciplinary program with Geology, Physics, and Natural Gas Engineering courses.
Admissions Requirements
For the M.S. degree in Petrophysics, a bachelor's degree in Geoscience, Mathematics, Physics, or Chemistry (or related areas) is required. Students not having enough background may need to take additional undergraduate courses.
Geology (GEOL)
GEOL 5305 Graduate Research Project 3 SCH (0-0-3)
Designed for project option students and requires completion of a research project. Prerequisite: departmental approval. May be repeated for a maximum of 6 semesters hours.
GEOL 5306 Thesis 3 SCH (3)
Designed for thesis option students. The course requires completion of thesis research. Prerequisite: departmental approval. May be repeated for maximum of 6 semester hours.
GEOL 5310 Advanced Topics in Geology 1-3 SCH (1-3)
Intensive study at a graduate level of selected advanced topics. May be repeated for credit under different topics.
GEOL 5312 Geographic Info Systems 3 SCH (3-0)
Principles and practice of geographic information systems (GIS) using vector-based GIS as the primary software package. Students will demonstrate the use of GIS through individual class projects oriented toward their area of interest.
GEOL 5313 Advanced GIS 3 SCH (2-3)
Research applications of advanced techniques of Geographic Information Systems. Vector-and raster-based GIS modeling: terrain modeling, hydrological modeling, 3-D modeling: hands-on research topics. GIS programming for problem solving in students research applications. Prerequisite: GEOL 5312 or permission of instructor.
GEOL 5352 Remote Sensing 3 SCH (2-3)
Principles and practice of remote sensing involving analysis and interpretation of aerial photos and digital images. Students will demonstrate the use of remote-sensed through individual class projects oriented toward their area of interest.
Physics (PHYS)
PHYS 5382 Exploration Geophysics 3 SCH (3)
Application of classical physics to the study of the Earth and the solution of problems in Earth sciences, including gravity, magnetic, seismic, heatflow, electrical, electromagnetic, and well log methods, instruments, data acquisition, processing and interpretation. Applications to petroleum exploration. Prerequisites: GEOL 3370 or permission of the instructor.
PHYS 5385 Seismology 3 SCH (3-0)
Basics of seismology: wave propagation, seismic reflection and refraction. Application of physics in the seismic velocity and anisotropy structure of the Earth. Earthquake generation, post-seismic deformation and creep events, relation to faulting and plate tectonics. Prerequisites: GEOL 3370 or permission of the instructor.
PHYS 5388 Borehole Geophysics 3 SCH (3-0)
Basic rock properties concepts; evaluating formations from geophysical well logging. Instrumentation, the physics of logging, and well log interpretation. Rock physics tools and well logs for petroleum and geothermal exploration, as well as water prospecting. Prerequisites: GEOL 1303/ GEOL 1103 and PHYS 2325/ PHYS 2125, PHYS 2326/ PHYS 2126.
Petrophysics, M.S.
The coursework for this multidisciplinary program involves courses in Physics (PHYS), Geology (GEOL), and Natural Gas Engineering (NGEN). The coursework for this program is as follows:
Required Coursework
| Code | Title | Semester Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| PHYS 5382 | Exploration Geophysics | 3 |
| PHYS 5385 | Seismology | 3 |
| PHYS 5388 | Borehole Geophysics | 3 |
| GEOL 5305 | Graduate Research Project | 3 |
| GEOL 5310 | Advanced Topics in Geology | 1-3 |
| GEOL 5311 | 3 | |
| GEOL 5319 | 3 | |
| NGEN 5303 | Advncd Topics in Nat Gas Engin | 1,3 |
| NGEN 5310 | 3 | |
| NGEN 5312 | Pressure Transient Analysis | 3 |
| NGEN 5363 | Advanced Reservoir Engineering | 3 |
| NGEN 5387 | Quantitative Well Log Analysis | 3 |
| Total Semester Credit Hours | 32-36 | |
Degree Plans
For the M.S. in Petrophysics, both Plan I (thesis) and Plan II (non-thesis) are available.
- Plan I requires 24 credits of coursework plus completion of a research thesis (6 hours for research proposal and thesis).
- Plan II requires 36 hours of course work including completion of a short research project.
Planned Course Offerings
This section provides a comprehensive list of graduate courses offered by the Department of Physics & Geosciences, along with a two-year schedule indicating when each course is expected to be available. Please note that course offerings and scheduling are subject to change based on faculty availability and student demand. To ensure steady progress toward degree completion, students are strongly encouraged to work closely with their advisor to develop a personalized academic plan.
Physics (PHYS)
| Course | Fall 2025 | Spring 2026 | Fall 2026 | Spring 2027 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PHYS 5382 | X | X | ||
| PHYS 5385 | X | X | ||
| PHYS 5388 | X | X |
Geology (GEOL)
| Course | Fall 2025 | Spring 2026 | Fall 2026 | Spring 2027 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GEOL 5305 | X | X | ||
| GEOL 5306 | X | X | X | X |
| GEOL 5310 | X | |||
| GEOL 5312 | X | X | ||
| GEOL 5313 | X | X | ||
| GEOL 5352 | X | X |
Marketable Skills
Texas A&M University-Kingsville is dedicated to equipping graduate and doctoral students with the advanced marketable skills necessary for professional and academic excellence beyond the university setting. These skills encompass a range of high-level interpersonal, analytical, and applied competencies that are sought after in today’s competitive workforce.
Our graduate programs are structured to cultivate these capabilities through rigorous academic inquiry, experiential learning, faculty-mentored research, professional internships, and opportunities for scholarly and community engagement.
Below are the marketable skills cultivated through the department's graduate academic program.
Petrophysics, M.S.
- Effective communication
- Critical thinking
- Empirical and quantitative skills
- Teamwork