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GEOSC 50 - Planetary Geology

This is a sample syllabus.

This sample syllabus is a representative example of the information and materials included in this course. Information about course assignments, materials, and dates listed here is subject to change at any time. Definitive course details and materials will be available in the official course syllabus, in Canvas, when the course begins.

Overview

Planetary Geology will introduce students to the rocky planets and moons of the solar system. Students will learn the geological processes that are important in the shaping of planetary surfaces and interiors, as well as their ancient or current potential habitability. Throughout the course, students will learn about the various geologic processes that are relevant for each planet and moon, including volcanism, impact cratering, sediment transport, differentiation, and plate tectonics, among others. Students will understand the geologic history of planets using the best available data but will also learn about the evolution of our knowledge through successive planetary missions to collect more data. The course will couple scientific material and real data with historical perspectives surrounding space and planetary exploration missions.

Objectives

Students who excel in this course are able to:

  1. Identify and describe the planets and moons in the solar system. 
  2. Understand the geological processes that have defined the surfaces of each rocky body in the solar system, such as volcanism, impact cratering, sediment transport, differentiation, and plate tectonics, among others. Understand how these process across the solar system compare/contrast with Earth.
  3. Understand the historical context or early space missions, how we collect data with space missions, and the importance of geologic exploration of the solar system.
  4. Analyze the habitability of the planets and moons in the ancient, modern, and future.
  5. Perform calculations and interpret data regarding the geologic history of planets and moons.

Required Materials

The materials listed here represent those that may be included in this course. Students will find a definitive list in the course syllabus, in Canvas, when the course begins.

This course does not have a textbook as all course materials are provided to you via Canvas. However, you will be required to purchase two pieces of software that connect to Canvas. 

Yellowdig - An alternate to traditional discussion forums, Yellowdig offers a more robust and engaging way of sharing thoughts and ideas about the course materials. Discussions in Yellowdig are topic-based rather than a single question, providing more organic and authentic conversations. There is a minimal cost.

Kritik - A peer evaluation tool that will be used for several of your assignments this semester. This software uses Artificial Intelligence to assign you to peer groups to create balanced teams for each review process. There is a minimum cost for Kritik.

Prerequisites

None

Expectations

We have worked hard to make this the most effective and convenient educational experience possible. How much and how well you learn is dependent on your attitude, diligence, and willingness to ask for clarifications or help when you need them. We are here to help you succeed. Please keep up with the class schedule and take advantage of opportunities to communicate with us and with your fellow students. You can expect to spend an average of 8 – 12 hours per week on class work.

Major Assignments

Students earn grades that reflect the extent to which they achieve the learning objectives listed above. Opportunities to demonstrate learning include the following, and grades will be based on points assigned to each of several components of the course as follows:

Yellowdig Discussions: 30% of the total course grade

Unessays (3 per semester): 40% of the total course grade

Hands-on experience assignments: 30% of the total course grade

Course Schedule

Course Schedule
WeekTopicAssignment
1Lesson 1: Before we set out... All sub-Lessons completed, Hands-on
experience turned in, 1,000 Yellowdig points
2Lesson 2: Exploration of the MoonAll sub-Lessons completed, Hands-on
experience turned in, 1,000 Yellowdig points
3Lesson 3: Geology of the MoonAll sub-Lessons completed, Hands-on
experience turned in, 1,000 Yellowdig points
4Lesson 4: Exploration of Mercury and
Venus
All sub-Lessons completed, Hands-on
experience turned in, 1,000 Yellowdig points
5Lesson 5: Geology of Mercury and
Venus 
All sub-Lessons completed, Hands-on
experience turned in, 1,000 Yellowdig points
6Un-essay 1Work on your un-essay about something from
Weeks 1-5, submit your un-essay on Kritik,
1,000 Yellowdig points 
7Lesson 6: Exploration of MarsComplete your peer-grading responsibilities
on Kritik, All sub-Lessons completed, Hands-on experience turned in, 1,000 Yellowdig
points
8Lesson 7: Modern MarsAll sub-Lessons completed, Hands-on
experience turned in, 1,000 Yellowdig points
9Lesson 8: Windows into Deep Mars
History
All sub-Lessons completed, Hands-on
experience turned in, 1,000 Yellowdig points
10Un-essay 2Work on your un-essay about something from
Weeks 7-9, submit your un-essay on Kritik,
1,000 Yellowdig points
11Lesson 9: Exploration of the Outer
Solar System
Complete your peer-grading responsibilities
on Kritik, All sub-Lessons completed, Hands-on experience turned in, 1,000 Yellowdig
points
12Lesson 10: Geology of the Outer Solar
System
All sub-Lessons completed, Hands-on
experience turned in, 1,000 Yellowdig points
13Lesson 11: Exploration and Geology
of the Belts
All sub-Lessons completed, Hands-on
experience turned in, 1,000 Yellowdig points 
14Lesson 12: Exploration and Geology
of Exoplanets
All sub-Lessons completed, Hands-on
experience turned in, 1,000 Yellowdig points
15Un-essay 3Work on your un-essay about something from
Weeks 11-14, submit your un-essay on Kritik,
1,000 Yellowdig points 
Finals WeekComplete your peer-grading
responsibilities on Kritik
Complete your peer-grading responsibilities
on Kritik, and you're done!