Geosoft mapping software for geophysics, geology, geochemistry
 

Geosoft's Education Kit helps groom tomorrow's geoscientists


Oklahoma State University Students in the fieldEducating the next generation of geophysicists now requires training students to be proficient in technologically advanced software tools. For Estella Atekwana, Ph.D, Professor and Sun Chair at Oklahoma State University's Boone Pickens School of Geology, the tool of choice is Geosoft's Education Program – a kit that enables her students to easily process, analyze and interpret magnetic and gravitational data.

"I've used a Geosoft Research License, since I first started teaching 16 years ago," says Atekwana. "Now with the Education Kit, we have 10 licenses, so that more students have access to the software. It's also very easy to use, which means that students can focus on the task at hand, rather than how to use the software."

Geosoft's Education License Kits are available in two configurations. For multidisciplinary geoscience teaching, the kit includes Oasis montaj plus extension for: Geophysics, Geochemistry, Magmap, Drill Hole Plotting and a GM-SYS Lab Kit. The Education Kit for GIS configuration includes 10 subsurface geology software licenses of Target for ArcGIS.

Professor Atekwana purchased the Kit a year ago, when Geosoft first introduced the teaching kit to the geoscience market. The software has become integral in supporting the curriculum of both her undergrad and graduate classes.

Professor Estella Atekwana, Ph.D

"My teaching style is to give students a strong theoretical background, and then a lot of hands-on experience," Atekwana says. "In the working world, theory is second to knowing how to process and interpret data."

Students of Atekwana's Potential Field Methods course use Oasis montaj in learning gravitational and magnetic exploration methods. Homework assignments and projects include processing model data, and then interpreting the data in a PowerPoint presentation. First, Atekwana has students write their own quotes so that they understand the process. Then, they use Oasis montaj to process greater data sets and to visualize the data through the software's enhanced graphics.

"Students gain experience processing vast data sets, which is a skill that they'll need as working geoscientists," Atekwana says. "The software also enables them to enhance certain features, such as shallow subsurface structures."

A ccording to Atekwana, there is a strong demand in today's geoscience industry for geoscientists who are skilled in magnetic gravitational geophysics methods. Historically, geophysicists have been experts in seismic and electrical methods, for mining projects and for locating contaminants in environmental investigations. With today's increased oil prices, the oil and gas sector is looking for expertise in magnetic and gravitational techniques that, when compared with seismic methods, are significantly more cost-efficient.

Oklahoma State University Students in the field

"With the recent hike in oil prices, there is a push for exploration and geoscientists that have experience in magnetic and gravitational geophysics," Atekwana says. "Exploration companies want to know where sedimentary basins are and the thickness of the sedimentary package. With Geosoft's software, you can process magnetic and gravitational data, follow up with seismic data and then verify seismic findings.

"My students are trained in these techniques and so, are highly in demand. In fact, two of my students landed jobs working with oil companies this summer."

For Atekwana, Geosoft's software is an important geophysical instrument that helps prepare students for their chosen profession as leading geoscientists, who deliver a higher level of accuracy in their interpretations. "We are trying to take physics and math and make sense of the geology," she says. "Geophysical tools help minimize uncertainty, so that we can make more accurate interpretations."