Module Information
Course Delivery
| Delivery Type | Delivery length / details |
|---|---|
| Lecture | 18 lectures and 4 workshops |
| Workload Breakdown | Every 10 credits carries a notional student workload of 100 hours: 22 hours of lectures and workshops, 15 hours for example sheet, 15 hours for research essay and preparation, 48 hours independent study. |
Assessment
| Assessment Type | Assessment length / details | Proportion |
|---|---|---|
| Semester Exam | 2 Hours Written Examination | 70% |
| Semester Assessment | Example sheet | 15% |
| Semester Assessment | Research essay (6 pages max. including diagrams) | 15% |
| 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
IMAPS has developed a strong research area covering planetary science, remote-sensing of planetary surfaces and planetary cartography. These research areas are of direct relevance to this module and allow us to provide research-informed teaching throughout the module scheme. PH18010 is desirable.
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 example sheet and formal examination will include numerical problems |
| Communication | Written communication is developed via the research essay and the example sheet. |
| Improving own Learning and Performance | The sequential deadlines for the example sheet 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. |
| Personal Development and Career planning | The module will highlight the latest developments in this field and hence will assist with career development. |
| Problem solving | Problem solving is a key skill in physics and will be tested by an example sheet, 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. |
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