Topic outline

  • Uses of Geophysical Surveys

    Credits: 1 PDH

    PDH Course Description:

    This course provides an overview of geophysical surveying applications. Within this course, three classes of objectives, applications, or uses are addressed when applying geophysical surveying methodologies: the measurement of geologic features, the in situ determination of engineering properties, and the detection of hidden cultural features.

    • Geologic features - may include faults, bedrock lows, discontinuities and voids, and groundwater. 
    • Engineering properties - that can be determined in situ include elastic moduli, electrical resistivity and, to a lesser degree, magnetic and density properties.
    • Hidden cultural features - available for geophysical detection and characterization include buried underground tanks and pipes, contaminant plumes, and landfill boundaries.

    To take this course:

    1.) Enroll in Course: Click below to enroll:
    (must be logged into your user account)


    2.) Study: Once enrolled, click below to begin the course:

    Download the Study Guide

    3.) Test: Once you've thoroughly read the course materials, please click below to take the final examination.

    Take the final exam

    4.) Certificate: A passing grade of 70% or higher on the exam, is required to receive the certificate of completion for this PDH course.
         NOTE: After the exam is completed, you will need to return to this page, in order to print (download) the certificate of completion.

    Print the Certificate of Completion

    Intended Audience: This course is intended for professionally licensed surveyors, as well civil, petroleum, geotechnical, environmental, and other engineering professionals whose job description may require an intermediate knowledge of geophysical survey methodologies and their applications.
    Publication Source: US Army Corp of Engineers

    Donald Parnell, PE

    • Topic 1