The information and program qualifications related to the Geophysics Engineering Doctor of Philosophy Program, under the Department of Geophysics Engineering of the Graduate School, are summarized below.
Information About The Program
Geophysics is a branch of earth sciences investigating the physical processes and phenomena occurring in the earth by combining physics, mathematics and geology. Specifically, some of the areas geophysical engineering deals with are 1) Exploration of coal, oil, gas and geothermal energy resources as well as groundwater and mineral deposits, 2) Assessment of earthquake hazards such as strong ground shaking, landslides and liquefaction, 3) Investigation of subsurface for engineering structures, 4) Investigation of archeological sites and 5) Imaging of the subsurface for environmental hazards.
Click here for the program's website.
Program Profile
Earth sciences in general, and geophysical engineering in particular, encompass a wide range of topics. The primary objective of the ITU LEE Geophysical Engineering Department's PhD Program is to train senior geophysical engineers who can successfully solve geoscience problems both globally and domestically. The program's curriculum aims to deepen the knowledge acquired at the undergraduate level beyond the master's level, leading to specialization. This aim and objective can be summarized as "to train senior geophysical engineers with PhD degrees who understand the problems they face, understand how and with what methods they can be solved, successfully utilize the scientific method in theory and practice, possess the ability to collaborate with other disciplines and ethical responsibility in this process, and are sensitive to environmental health and safety issues."
Registration Requirements
Application Term : 2025-2026 Spring Semester
Application Dates : 10.11.2025 09:00:00 - 26.01.2026 17:00:00 ( UTC/GMT+3 )
Application Requirements (For T.C Nationality) ALES Numerical must be minimum 70 (old system GRE Quantitative minimum 675, new system GRE minimum 153 ). Applicants who will apply for PhD programs after their undergraduate level degree are required to have Numerical score minimum 80 from ALES. Graduate GPA must be minimum 3.00/4 (76.66/100). Minimum GPA from undergraduate to doctorate must be 3.5/4 (88.33/100). Graduation must be Geomatics Engineering, Geodynamics, Geophysical Engineering, Geological Engineering, Mining Engineering, Petroleum and Natural Gas Engineering, Earth System Science.
Quota (For T.C Nationality): 4
Application Requirements (For International Students) ALES Numerical must be minimum 70 (old system GRE Quantitative minimum 675, new system GRE minimum 153 ). Applicants who will apply for PhD programs after their undergraduate level degree are required to have Numerical score minimum 80 from ALES. Graduate GPA must be minimum 3.00/4 (76.66/100). Minimum GPA from undergraduate to doctorate must be 3.5/4 (88.33/100). Graduation must be Geomatics Engineering, Geodynamics, Geophysical Engineering, Geological Engineering, Mining Engineering, Petroleum and Natural Gas Engineering, Earth System Science.
Quota (For International Students): 1
Transfer Quota : 1
Click here for quotas and conditions for all semesters. Application Page Graduate Education and Training Regulation Senate Principles
Application requirements, application dates, and quotas are updated in real-time from the Application System.
Program Learning Environments
The Geophysical Engineering Doctoral Program contributes to doctoral education with 15 faculty members and 9 research assistants who are experts in their fields. The department's four laboratories, equipped with software, hardware, and equipment, provide the infrastructure for conducting the doctoral program and completing doctoral theses. Projects and doctoral dissertations conducted by the department's expert faculty are published in national and international SCI-indexed journals (Science, Nature, JGR-Solid Earth, EPSL, Tectonophysics, GJI, GRL, PEPI, JAES, and Solid-Earth-EGU).
The department's Data Processing and Interpretation Laboratory utilizes up-to-date industrial software provided by ITU and industry to facilitate data processing and interpretation in marine and land seismic research, as well as geophysical modeling. The Applied Geophysics Laboratory, with its equipment, computer software, and hardware, enables the solution of shallow geological problems, subsurface shallow imaging, engineering problems, and archaeological geological research. The seismology laboratory has been actively working since 1960, playing a leading role in investigating the Earth's structural and physical properties using data obtained from operating earthquake recording stations in Turkey and around the world. Research projects conducted in the department's laboratories facilitate doctoral studies.
English Proficiency
Regulations and Guidelines
Academic Calendar
Course Plans
Course Schedules
Course Adjustment and Exemption Procedures
Program Educational Objectives
Graduating colleagues,
1- who can carry out advanced research programs with a multidisciplinary approach,
2- who have the ability to solve complex problems in geoscience and related engineering fields,
3- having engineering and science ethics and high-level communication skills.
Measurement and Evaluation
Evaluating Student Success
The student success is evaluated considering Articles 56, 57, 58, and 59 of the Istanbul Technical University Graduate Education and Training Regulation Senate Principles.
ARTICLE 56 - Before the enrollment for the courses begins, the faculty member who offers the course informs the Program Executive Committee about the types, number and contribution percentage to the final grade of the studies within the semester, as well as requirements for a right to take the semester final exam. These requirements shall be finalized by approval of the Program Executive Committee and approval of the chair of the department, who declares them to the student and informs the Graduate School.
ARTICLE 57 - A student may appeal the final grade of a course within one week following the announcement of the grades. Appeals must be submitted to the Graduate School in writing. The relevant faculty member shall re-evaluate the student's success status and submit the result to the Graduate School within one week. Appeals not submitted within the prescribed time frame shall not be considered by the Graduate School.
ARTICLE 58 - Courses in graduate programs shall be evaluated according to the following grading system.
| Grade Description |
Grade |
Scale |
| Excellent |
AA |
4.00 |
| Very good plus |
BA+ |
3.75 |
| Very good |
BA |
3.50 |
| Good plus |
BB+ |
3.25 |
| Good |
BB |
3.00 |
| Conditional Pass |
CB+ |
2.75 |
| Conditional Pass |
CB |
2.50 |
| Conditional Pass |
CC+ |
2.25 |
| Conditional Pass |
CC |
2.00 |
| Fail |
FF |
0.00 |
| Fail(No Exam) |
VF |
0.00 |
ARTICLE 59 - Students who wish to improve their cumulative grade point average may retake courses during the course-taking period. The most recent grade will be counted for the repeated courses.
Internship
There is no internship in this program.
Graduation Requirements
Graduation will take place according to the "Regulations for Graduate Education" and "Senate Principles" of Istanbul Technical University
https://www.sis.itu.edu.tr/TR/mevzuat/lisansustu-yonetmelik.php
https://www.sis.itu.edu.tr/TR/mevzuat/lisansustu-esaslar.php
The Awarded Degree and Title
Degree : Doctor of Philosophy Title : Doctor of Philosophy
Program Employment Opportunities
Major employment fields for the graduates of Geophysical Engineering Program are the exploration of natural energy sources (coal, oil, and natural gas) and industrial raw materials, investigation of subsurface for engineering structures, geohazard/risk analyses prior to potential natural disasters, imaging of the subsurface for environmental hazards and investigation of cultural heritage and archeological sites. In close collaboration with other disciplines, our graduates find job opportunities at national and international engineering companies, research institutes and universities as academic staff.
Number of Graduates
Graduate Statistics (Last Five Years)
| Year | Number of Graduates |
| 2019 | 1 |
| 2020 | 3 |
| 2021 | 1 |
| 2023 | 2 |
| 2024 | 3 |
Program Outcomes
P.O.1 To be able to critically and systematically analyze, evaluate and interpret the new and complex information, concepts and theories, by having advanced knowledge as the basis of original research in the field of geophysics that is integral part of earth sciences.
P.O.2 To be able to obtain original results using highly specialized knowledge required to analyze, synthesize and evaluate the new and complex earth sciences and/or engineering problems by being aware of the importance of computer software/ information technologies and interaction of geophysics with other disciplines.
P.O.3 To be able to undertake original research independently to develop a new idea, method design and/or application related to geophysical data acquisition, processing, modelling and interpretation or using an existing idea, method, design, and/or application to the solution of a new earth sciences problem by using processes such as creative and critical thinking, problem solving and decision making.
P.O.4 To be able to contribute to the literature by publishing article(s) in national/international peer-reviewed journals and to have scientific discussions with field experts by using effective written and oral communication skills.
P.O.5 To be able to develop strategy, policy and action plans for the solution of social, scientific, cultural and ethical problems encountered in issues related to field of geophysics (and earth sciences) and conducting research with national and international groups by taking leadership.
Program Coordinator
Head of the Department
Links