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University of Arizona

Department of Planetary Sciences / LPL

Graduate Program

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Major Classes

Any class with the PtyS designator numbered 500 and above (except 503) taken for credit (not audit) will count toward this requirement. Included in these 36 units is the Core Curriculum. In order to ensure that students graduated by the Department have a background of sufficient breadth to enable them to communicate effectively with scientists in any of the planetary sciences, all students are required to complete the courses in the core program. Exceptionally well-prepared students may have part of this core requirement waived by passing an oral or written examination administered by the instructor(s) currently responsible for the course. Waiver petitions should be submitted to the Graduate Admissions and Advising Committee at the initial counseling interview.

All students who are admitted in fall of 1997 or later are required to complete the following courses:

• PtyS 505 a-b Principles of Planetary Physics I-II (6 units total)
• PtyS 507 Chemistry of the Solar System (3 units)
• PtyS 510 Principles of Cosmochemistry (3 units)
• PtyS 512 Evolution of Planetary Surfaces (3 units)
• PtyS 517 Planetary Atmospheres and Remote Sensing (3 units)
• PtyS 554 Planetary Geophysics (3 units)

Each course is generally offered only once every four semesters, so in order to finish the sequence in two years it is highly recommended that you take these as they are offered. PtyS 505 a-b does not need to be taken in the order a-b; take whichever 505 class is being offered when you get here. All core classes must be taken for a letter grade (A,B,C,D,E system). For descriptions of classes, click here.