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.

Lauretta
Rogers

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.

Swindle

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.

Malhotra

Special Topics in Planetary Science (1)
Global Warming: How serious is it?

Strom

Physics of the Solar System (3)
Survey of planetary physics, planetary motions, planetary interiors, geophysics, planetary atmospheres, asteroids, comets, origin of the solar system. Prerequisites: PHYS 142 or 251.
PTYS 403 is a required course for the PTYS Minor.
PTYS 403 is identical with ASTR 403 and GEOS 403.

Giacalone

Geology and Geophysics of the Solar System (4)
Geologic processes and landforms on satellites and the terrestrial planets, their modification under various planetary environments, and methods of analysis. PTYS 411 is identical with GEOS 411. PTYS 411 is required for the PTYS Minor.

Byrne

Physics of the Earth (3)
Fundamentals of the physics of the solid earth, including thermodynamics, rheology, geomagnetism, gravity, and planet tectonics. Prerequisite(s): MATH 254. Identical to: GEOS 419; GEOS is home department. May be convened with: PTYS 519. Usually offered: Spring.

Richardson/Chase

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.

Dynamic Meteorology (3)
Thermodynamics and its application to planetary atmospheres, hydrostatics, fundamental concepts and laws of dynamic meteorology.
Prerequisite(s): ATMO 300A, ATMO 300B, PHYS 426 or consent of instructor. Identical to ATMO 441B; ATMO is home department. Usually offered: Spring.

Zeng

Image Processing for Scientific Discovery (3)
Image processing as a tool for exploration, discovery and analysis in a wide range of subjects. Suitable for both science and non-science majors, as well as pre-service and in-service mathematics and technology teachers.
May be convened with: PTYS 549. Usually offered: Spring.

Greenberg

Galilean Satellites of Jupiter (1)
A colloquium on the Galilean satellites of Jupiter, four large worlds with complex orbital, tidal, and magnetospheric interactions. Each student will be expected to study and report on a relevant topic. Regular grades are awarded for this course: A B C D E. Prerequisite(s): recommended to students majoring in one of the physical sciences, especially Geosciences, Astronomy, or Planetary Sciences. May be convened with: PTYS 595A. Usually offered: Spring.

McEwen