| Course |
Title |
Instructor(s) |
| ASTR 475 | Planetary Astrobiology (3)
This course will explore the processes related to planet formation, the properties of planets and the planetary conditions required for the emergence of life. We will study the formation of our Solar System and exoplanetary systems, the distribution and properties of exoplanets, and the potential habitability of other planets/moons in our system or extrasolar systems. The course will also review science cases and possible future astrobiology studies, both in site and via remote sensing, of astrobiologically relevant environments. Toward the end of the semester a few guest lectures will highlight particularly exciting and timely topics. This course may be co-convened with ASTR/PTYS 575.
| Apai/Eisner
|
| PTYS 170A1 | Planet Earth: Evolution of the Habitable World (3)
This course develops a planetary perspective on the evolutionary processes that shaped Earth throughout history. We will examine why Earth is habitable, that is, why any kind of life can live on it, we will discuss the unique influences that biological processes and atmosphere/ocean systems have on each other, and we will review current notions of climate change, including evidence for the influence of human activities on it. This interdisciplinary treatment of Earth and its sister planets will encourage students to think about how science and engineering must be applied to today’s challenges if humankind is to have a promising future on (and off) this planet.
| Shawl
|
| PTYS 170B1 | 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.
PTYS 170B1 is a Tier I Natural Science course in the University’s general education curriculum.
| Rogers
|
| PTYS 170B1 (H) | 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.
PTYS 170B1 is a Tier I Natural Science course in the University’s general education curriculum.
| Swindle
|
| PTYS 195A | First Year Colloquium (1)
PTYS195A Spring 2012 (Hubbard): Why do we have a space program? Humans have been exploring our solar system with manned and unmanned spacecraft for 50 years. In 2009, U.S. taxpayers will spend nearly $18 billion to support NASA. In this colloquium we will do some of our own exploring---why are we doing this, and how does the US government decide what to do in space? We will look at the history of the space enterprise and the role of scientists. We will critically examine the basic human drives and the assumptions, some perhaps mistaken, motivating space exploration.
PTYS195A Spring 2012 (Baker): What are Research and Creative Expression: Water and Life on Mars Students will access planetary mission data to study the present and past Mars environment in regard to the activity of water and related possibilities the living organisms are or were extant on that planet. The student research will involve interdisciplinary work in astrobiology, hydrology, and planetary geology.
| Hubbard
Baker
|
| PTYS 206 | 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.
PTYS 206 is cross-listed with ASTR 206.
| Giacalone
Kortenkamp
|
| PTYS 214 | 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 general education curriculum.
PTYS 214 is cross-listed with ASTR 214 and GEOS 214.
| Smith
|
| PTYS 403 | 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.
| Jokipii
|
| PTYS 411 | 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 equivalent to GEOS 411 (not cross-listed). PTYS 411 is required for the PTYS Minor.
| Byrne
|
