Ferhat Ozcep (23 January 1968 â 9 February 2023) was a geophysicist and historian of science in Turkey. He was born in Zonguldak (the western Black Sea side of Turkey) on 23 January 1968. He was a visiting scholar in the Department of the Science at Harvard University. He was professor of geophysics at Istanbul University.
He received the B.Sc. degree in geophysical engineering from University of Istanbul in 1991 and the Pre-Bachelor's (Associate) degree in Electrical Engineering Technician Program from Hacettepe University in 1992. He received the M.Sc. degree in geophysical engineering from University of Istanbul in 1994. He received the Ph.D. degree in geophysics from University of Istanbul in 1999. Between 1992 and 2004 years, he was a research assistant in Department of Geophysical Engineering, at University of Istanbul. In 1994 and 1996, he was elected a member (as a general secretary) of executive committee of Istanbul Branch of âÂÂChamber of Geophysical Engineersâ that is the only geophysical society in Turkey. Between 2006 and 2008, he was a member of executive committee of âÂÂUnion of Chambers of Turkish Engineers and ArchitectsâÂÂ. He was selected as a member of History of Geophysics Committee, American Geophysical Union for the term 1 July 2002 to 30 June 2004. He was also a member of Geophysical Engineering Committee of ASCE
He was a member of American Geophysical Union, European Geosciences Union, Deutsche Geophysikalische Geselschaft (German Geophysical Society), American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), Chamber of Geophysical Engineers of Turkey, Earthquake Engineering Association of Turkey, and Turkish Society for History of Science.
His research interests in geophysics focussed on a wide range of topics: âÂÂGeotechnical Earthquake EngineeringâÂÂ, âÂÂSoil DynamicsâÂÂ, âÂÂSeismic MicrozonationâÂÂ, âÂÂPaleomagnetism-GeomagnetismâÂÂ, âÂÂTectonophysics (Geodynamics)âÂÂ, âÂÂElectromagnetic TechniquesâÂÂ, âÂÂArcheogeophysicsâÂÂ, âÂÂExploration and Protection of the Nature (Environmental Geophysics)âÂÂ, and âÂÂHistory and Philosophy of ScienceâÂÂ.
He was a visiting scholar in the Department of History and Philosophy of Science at University of Cambridge for Lent term 2015, where he attended seminars and lectures run by the department and made use of the department and university's facilities. Whilst he was in the department, his sponsor was Professor Jim Secord.
While at Harvard, Prof. Ozcep was to conduct research on the âÂÂInvestigation on Geophysical Ideas and Measurements in Ottoman Geography in Transition from Pre-Modern (Islamic) to Modern (Western) Periods.âÂÂ
He was named co-chair of Department of Geophysical Engineering at Istanbul University-Cerrahpaà Âa in July 2018.