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.

Malhotra

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

First Year Colloquium (1)
195A CLQ Giacalone: The Changing Sun and its Influence on Earth: Does the Sun’s natural variability affect climate on Earth? How dangerous are solar flares to Earth’s inhabitants and to Moon or Mars-bound astronauts - both in terms of radiation dosages, and also energetic-particle-induced instruments failure? In this course, we will discuss the evidence supporting a connection between solar-cycle changes and Earth-climatic changes and the physical mechanisms that can induce this change. We will also discuss the space radiation environment and the associated perils of space travel. At the end of this colloquium, students should have a better understanding of this topical issue that has both scientific and political implications.

195A CLQ Lauretta: Asteroids, Comets, and Meteorites. This seminar is designed to introduce students to the study of asteroids,
comets, and meteorites and will cover many different aspects of the field. We will discuss the history of astronomical observations of small bodies in the Solar System and the evidence that finally convinced the scientific
community that rocks actually do fall from the sky. Modern and historical meteorite collection will be explored including meteorite hunting expedition on the ice sheets of Antarctica. The course will include a discussion of the formation of the Solar System as recorded by the meteorite record and the impact hazard posed by asteroids and comets. Past, current, and future
spacecraft missions to small bodies will also be discussed.

195A CLQ Showman: Planetary Climate. This colloquium will provide an introduction to the climate of planets. We will explore global warming on Earth, the possibility of an ancient warm, wet Mars, the fiendishly hot, corrosive atmosphere of Earth’s twin, Venus, and the methane rain of Saturn’s smog-shrouded moon, Titan. Sampling the exotic diversity of atmospheres will bring out themes fundamental to how all atmospheres work.

Lauretta

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.

Giacalone
Hubbard
Byrne

The Science and Politics of Global Warming (3)
The course is devoted to the concepts and principles required for understanding the Greenhouse Effect. It will then cover the effects of global warming on our climate both for past warming and cooling episodes (ice ages) and future predicted effects on our lives and the environment. The last third will deal with the present and future political and commercial issues of global warming. A research paper and a class presentation on a selected topic of global warming will be required.

PTYS 212/212H is a Tier II Natural Science course in the University’s general education curriculum.

Fink

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

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

Teaching College-Level Astronomy & Planetary Science (1)
Students will discuss their current or recent experiences as a student. They will also learn how to create productive learning environments by reviewing research on the nature of teaching and learning; setting course goals and objectives; using interactive lectures, peer instruction, engaging demonstrations, collaborative groups, tutorials, and ranking tasks; and observing other instructors. Students will conduct a collaborative research project of their choosing related to astronomy and space science. The course will culminate with students presenting mock lectures using these techniques.
Prerequisite(s): Student must be Astronomy or Planetary Science undergraduate or graduate major. Consent of instructor. Typical structure: 1 hour lecture. May be repeated: for credit 3 times (maximum 4 enrollments).
Identical to: PTYS 456. May be convened with: ASTR 556. Usually offered: Fall, Spring.