EEPS 1745: Planetary System Design – A Team Project Course

Introduction to the research process for planetary systems. This upper-level undergraduate course includes a lecture phase that covers an overview of planetary science, the research project(s) to be pursued, problem-solving, scientific writing, communications, and diversity and bias in the field of planetary science. Subsequently, students experience the latest practices in planetary research by forming sub-project teams and collectively designing and planning a research project. Effective team and communication skills are emphasized. Scientific writing and presentations are required throughout, culminating in the final paper and public presentation. This course has been submitted for special designations in writing (WRIT), race, gender, and inequality (DIAP), and collaborative research & scholarly experiences (COEX).
Offered online in Spring 2021.

EEPS 1810: Physics of Planetary Evolution

The course will expose students to the fundamental physics necessary to understand how planetary bodies evolve. The evolution of planetary bodies will be discussed on the basis of geological and geophysical evidence derived from exploration of the Solar System. This course will study the physical processes responsible for and that occur as a consequence of differentiation and deformation of planetary bodies.
Offered online in Fall 2020.

EEPS 1950H: Gravitational Fields and Data Analyses

The course will cover fundamental and cutting-edge methods applied to Earth and planetary gravity data acquired by spacecraft, aircraft, sea, and surface gravimeters. Students will learn and practice how to represent, analyze, manipulate, and interpret gravitational data. The course will also include topics on potential field theory, geomagnetic data, pattern recognition methods, Monte Carlo methods, and computer modeling techniques. Topics covered in this course provide a foundation for a wide variety of advanced data analysis, representation, and manipulation techniques that extend beyond Earth and planetary sciences.
Offered in Fall 2019. Next offered in Fall 2021 (tentative).

EEPS 2400: Life Beyond Earth

This graduate-level course will explore the questions of What is Life? and Where does Life Exist? The course will utilize peer-reviewed literature and textbook excerpts to understand the basic, fundamental components of life on Earth to understand the conditions and environments that are conducive to the emergence and persistence of life on other worlds. Course topics that will be examined include: the definition and requirements of life, the emergence, persistence, and consequence of life on Earth, life beyond Earth, astrobiology, and the search for extant extraterrestrial life. surveys the current state of knowledge for geophysical processes and mechanisms related to the formation and evolution of terrestrial bodies within the inner Solar System. The course applies fundamental science concepts in physics and chemistry to examine key topics within planetary geophysics, including planet-wide magma oceans, planetary collisions and impacts, volcanism, tectonics, and magnetism. Course is formatted to allow for lecture content and presentation and discussion of relevant themes and concepts.
Offered in Spring 2020. 

EEPS 2910H: Planetary Geophysics of the Inner Solar System

This graduate-level course surveys the current state of knowledge for geophysical processes and mechanisms related to the formation and evolution of terrestrial bodies within the inner Solar System. The course applies fundamental science concepts in physics and chemistry to examine key topics within planetary geophysics, including planet-wide magma oceans, planetary collisions and impacts, volcanism, tectonics, and magnetism. Course is formatted to allow for lecture content and presentation and discussion of relevant themes and concepts.
Last offered in Fall 2018. Next offered in Spring 2020 (tentative).