PLANET EARTH: EVOLUTION OF A HABITABLE
WORLD
OUTLINE OF COURSE CONTENT
I. Fundamental Concepts
A. Scientific
Theories &
Systems
B. Laws of Thermodynamics, Heat,
& Light
C. Atoms, Molecules, Minerals,
& Rocks
II. Astrophysical Perspective
A. The Early Universe
B. The Milky
Way Galaxy
C. The
Interstellar Medium
D. Star Formation
III. The Solar System
A. Formation
of the Solar System
B. Overview
of the Solar System
IV. Planet Earth: The Hadean
Eon
A. Thermochemical
Differentiation
B. Impact
Craters & the Origin of the Moon
C. The Age of Earth
V. Planet Earth: The Archean Eon
A. The
Origin of Continents
B. The
Origin of Life
C. The
Greenhouse Effect
& the Carbon Cycle
VI. Planet Earth: The Proterozoic Eon
A. Plate
Tectonics
B. The
Oxygen Revolution
C. Energy
and Life
VII. Planet Earth: The Phanerozoic Eon
A. Evolution
of Multi-Cell Life
B. Extinction &
Mass Extinction
C. Emergence
of the Human Species
VIII. Planet Earth: The Current Epoch
A. Global
Climate Change
B. Human-Induced
Global Warming
C. Life
Elsewhere in the Cosmos