Module Information
Course Delivery
| Delivery Type | Delivery length / details |
|---|---|
| Lecture | 16 x 1-hour lectures |
| Other | Research essay by students; 2 x assignment sheets by students |
| Workload Breakdown | Every 10 credits carries a notional student workload of 100 hours: 16 hours lectures, 20 hours for 2 x assignment sheets, 15 hours x 1 research essay and preparation, 49 hours independent study |
Assessment
| Assessment Type | Assessment length / details | Proportion |
|---|---|---|
| Semester Exam | 2 Hours Written Examination | 60% |
| Semester Assessment | 2 x Assignment Sheets (2 x 10%) | 20% |
| Semester Assessment | Research Essay (6 pages, inluding diagrams) | 20% |
| Supplementary Exam | 2 Hours Written Examination | 100% |
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this module students should be able to:
1. Describe planetary orbits, rotations and the evolution of these through time
2. Describe the physical processes that underlie the formation and evolution of the solid and gaseous planets;
3. Discuss current observations and models of exoplanets, especially close in Jupiter sized objects (or Jupiters);
4. Explain the processes responsible for internal magnetic fields in terrestrial planets, gas giants and ice giants;
5. Discuss the methods used to determine the internal structure of planets;
6. Explain how tides arise and how they influence the evolution of planet/moon/ring systems.
7. Explain the development of surface geology on different solid planets in terms of the underlying physical processes;
8. Critically discuss the techniques available for determining surface and internal composition of planets;
9. Discuss planetary geodesy how the shape of planetary objects is determined and described.;
10. Discuss the available techniques/software for planetary mapping.
Brief description
The course provides an overview to planetary science, considering planetary formation, dynamics and surface processes, as well as introducing key concepts in planetary mapping.
Content
- Defining planets; what do we mean? Terrestrial planets, gas giants, ice giants, Kuiper belt objects, Oort cloud objects. Asteroids, Meteoroids, Dust and Rings. The exoplanetary 'zoo'. Interstellar 'planets'?
- Planetary formation; accretion in the protostellar nebula
- Planetary formation; gravitational accretion, differences in composition with distance from the parent star
- Planetary structure and generation of magnetic fields
- Planetary dynamics; orbits, tides, moons and rings
- Planetary surface processes; cratering, erosion, tectonics
- Planetary geodesy and planetary mapping
- Comparative planetology
Module Skills
| Skills Type | Skills details |
|---|---|
| Application of Number | All questions set in the coursework, the assignment and formal examinations will include numerical problems |
| Communication | Written communication is developed via the research essay, the laboratory coursework, and the assignment problem sheet. |
| Improving own Learning and Performance | The sequential deadlines for the assignment sheet, coursework, and research essay, with marking and feedback will provide a means for the student to improve learning and performance over the duration of the module. |
| Information Technology | Students will be required to research topics within the module via the internet. Word processing (or equivalent) skills will be required for the research essay, while use of a presentation package (or equivalent) will be needed for the poster project |
| Personal Development and Career planning | The module will highlight the latest developments in this field and hence will assist with career development. The laboratory coursework, requiring students to work as a team is of importance in fostering career development. |
| Problem solving | Problem solving is a key skill in physics and will be tested via assignment problem sheets, a laboratory coursework, a research essay and a formal examination at the end of the module |
| Research skills | A research essay, for which students are required to independently research one of a range of topics covered by the course forms 15% of the module assessment. Research skills will also be developed |
| Subject Specific Skills | |
| Team work | The laboratory coursework will be performed in small groups of 2-3 students. |
Reading List
General Text(2004 (various p) An introduction to the solar system /edited by Neil McBride and Iain Gilmour. Cambridge University Press in association with the Open University Primo search
Hartmann, William K. (1999.) Moons & planets /William K. Hartmann. 4th ed. Wadsworth Pub. Co Primo search
Notes
This module is at CQFW Level 5