3 credits
Fall 2026 Lecture Upper Division
The application of petrology and structural geology to other planets. Topics include: theories of star and solar system formation, orbital dynamics and Kepler's laws, petrology and geochemistry of meteorites, age dating techniques, structure and composition of the terrestrial, giant, and icy planets, planetary surfaces, planetary atmospheres, and theories of the formation of the moon. Offered in alternate years. Prior course work in earth materials is required.
Learning Outcomes1Understand the physical and chemical principles behind processes that modify planetary surfaces.
2Identify planetary surface features in orbital imagery and use observational evidence to postulate their origin and modification histories.
3Gain field experience with planetary surface processes and landforms at local planetary analog sites.
4Propose a research topic (all students) and conduct a literature review (undergrads), or design and complete an original research project (grads) on that topic.
Restrictions
made by Purdue students.