| Course |
Title |
Instructor |
| PTYS 503 | Physics of the Solar System (3)
Survey of planetary physics, planetary motions, planetary interiors, geophysics, planetary atmospheres, asteroids, comets, origin of the solar system. Graduate-level requirements include an in-depth research paper on a selected topic and an oral class presentation.
This course does not count toward the major requirements in planetary sciences.
Class homepage
| Jokipii
|
| PTYS 505B | Principles of Planetary Physics (3)
PTYS Graduate Core Course. Introductory physics of planetary and interplanetary fluids, plasmas, and solid bodies. Thermodynamics, kinetic theory, fluid dynamics, transport theory, rotational and solid response theory and oribtal mechanics, applied to solar-system objects.
Class homepage
| Hubbard
|
| PTYS 512 | Planetary Global Tectonics (3)
PTYS Graduate Core Course. Application of the physics of solid-state deformation to global tectonics of the terrestrial planets and icy moons of the solar system. Modes of topographic support, isostasy and implications for gravity/topography ratios on one-plate planets. Theory of floating elastic plates as an approximation to the lithosphere. Use of seismic data to determine the interior structure and composition and modes of heat conduction in planets.
| Showman
|
| PTYS 541B | Dynamic Metereology (3)
Thermodynamics and its application to planetary atmospheres, hydrostatics, fundamental concepts and laws of dynamic meteorology. Graduate-level requirements include a more quantitative and thorough understanding of the subject matter.
| Zeng
|
| PTYS 542 | Mars (3)
In-depth class about the planet Mars, including origin and evolution, geophysics, geology, atmospheric science, climate change, the search for life, and the history and future of Mars exploration.
There will be guest lectures from professors and research scientists with expertise about aspects of Mars. The course will include visits to Mars exploration centers at the UA and ASU, including the operations center for the Gamma Ray Spectrometer on the Mars Odyssey spacecraft, currently orbiting Mars, and an all-day trip to the Mars Space Flight Facility at Arizona State University, operations center for experiments on the Mars Global Surveyor, Mars Odyssey, and Mars Exploration Rovers.
There will be lots of discussion of recent results and scientific controversies about Mars. Graduate-level requirements include the completion of a research project that will be presented in class as well as a report. The research project could be analysis of Mars datasets, a laboratory experiment, or new theoretical modeling.
| McEwen
|
| PTYS 582 | High Energy Astrophysics (3)
Radiation mechanisms, synchrotron radiation, charged particle acceleration, pulsars, black holes, accretion disks, X-ray binaries, gamma-ray sources, radio galaxies, active galactic nuclei.
This course is identical to ASTR 582.
| Melia
|
| PTYS 594A | Planetary Geology Field Studies
The practical application, on an individual basis, of previously studied theory and the collection of data for future theoretical interpretation.
| Melosh
|
| PTYS 596F | Impact Cratering Seminar
This course offers an in-depth description of the process of impact cratering and its application to the terrestrial planets and moons.
Principal topics will be: physics of the impact process, geologic structure of individual craters, statistics of cratered landscapes, impact cratering and solar system evolution (origin of the planets, origin of the moon, early evolution of the Earth and planets), impacts and Earth history (K/T impact, biologic extinctions), impacts and the ejection meteorites from major planets.
Course work will include a hands-on exercise in impact modeling using numerical methods.
Class homepage
| Melosh
|
