Planet Earth: Evolution of a Habitable World (3)
NATS 101 emphasizes our own planet and the special conditions that it provides for life. NATS 101 reviews how the evolution of primitive life dramatically changed the evolution of Earth’s atmosphere, and it explores humanity’s role in further altering our planetary environment.

NATS 101 is a Tier I Natural Science course in the University’s general education curriculum.

Larson
 

The Universe and Humanity: Origin and Destiny (3)
The Universe And Humanity: Origin And Destiny places Earth and humanity in a broad cosmic context. Topics range from the Big Bang cosmology to human consciousness with emphasis on the events and evolutionary processes that define the physical universe and our place in it.

NATS 102 is a Tier I Natural Science course in the University’s general education curriculum.

Pierazzo
 

First Year Colloquium (1)
This first-year colloquium will investigate the science done in Antarctica, and the ways it has been done, ranging from the early days of "heroic" exploration to modern, aircraft-supported astronomy, biology, climate studies, geology, and other science.

Showman
 

The Golden Age of Planetary Exploration (3)
PTYS 206 emphasizes the part of the universe that is within reach of direct human experience and exploration.

We will review current understanding of the contents of our Solar System and emphasize the processes that unite all of the planets and smaller bodies, such as tectonics, weathering, cratering, differentiation, and the evolution of oceans and atmospheres. The course will build on this knowledge to understand humankind’s motivation to explore beyond our Solar System, especially to search for planets around distant stars and to look or listen for evidence of life elsewhere in the Universe.

PTYS 206 is a Tier II Natural Science course in the University’s general education curriculum.

Hubbard
Kortenkamp

Astrobiology: A Planetary Perspective (3)
We will explore questions about the origin, evolution, and future of life on Earth and the possibility of life arising independently elsewhere in the Universe. We will examine what it means for a planet to be habitable, both in terms of basic necessities for living organisms to function and environmental limits to their ability to survive. Finally, we will review different approaches for searching for life within the Solar System and beyond using direct and remote sensing techniques.

PTYS 214 is a Tier II Natural Science course in the University’s general education curriculum.

Pavlov
 

Chemistry of the Solar System (3)
Abundance, origin, distribution, and chemical behavior of the chemical elements in the Solar System. Emphasis on applications of chemical equilibrium, photochemistry, and mineral phase equilibrium theory.

Prerequisites: CHEM 103b, MATH 125b, and PHYS 132 or their equivalents.

PTYS 407 is required for the PTYS Minor.

PTYS 407 is identical with CHEM 407.

Lunine
 

Asteroids, Comets and Kuiper Belt Objects (3)
This is an introduction to the "minor planets," the asteroids, comets and Kuiper Belt objects. The focus will be on origin and evolution (including current evolution), as well as techniques of study. It will include an evening at the telescope of an asteroid search program.

Graduate-level requirement includes some original work or calculations in the paper/project submitted and to research one of the primary topics and lead the class discussion of it.

PTYS 416 is identical with PTYS 516.

Swindle
 

Modern Astronomical Instrumentation and Techniques
Radiant energy; signals and noise; detectors and techniques for imaging, photometry, polarimetry and spectroscopy. Examples from stellar and planetary astronomy in the x-ray, optical, infrared and radio. Identical to ASTR 418; ASTR is home department. May be convened with: PTYS 518.

The Chemical Evolution of Earth (3)
Chemical differentiation and evolution of Earth's mantle and crust according to major-element, trace-element and isotopic characteristics of neodymium, hafnium, strontium, lead and other isotopes.
Prerequisite(s): GEOS 356 or equivalent undergraduate petrology.
Identical to GEOS 430.

Patchett
 

Dynamic Meteorology (3)
Thermodynamics and its application to planetary atmospheres, hydrostatics, fundamental concepts and laws of dynamic meteorology. Prerequisite: PHYS 426 or consent of instructor.
Identical to ATMO 441A.

Mullen