Courses

Examines current topics in planetary science, based on recent discoveries, spacecraft observations, and other developments. Focuses on a specific topic each time the course is offered, such as Mars, Venus, Galilean satellites, exobiology, comets, or extrasolar planets. May be taken twice for credit. Same as ATOC 5830 and GEOL 5830. Prerequisites: Restricted to Graduate Students only.

May be repeated up to 4 total credit hours to meet candidacy requirements. Prereq., graduate standing or instructor consent; Senior Level undergraduate physics. Same as ATOC 5835 and GEOL 5835. Prerequisites: Restricted to Graduate Students only.

May be repeated up to 6 total credit hours. Prereq., instructor consent. Prerequisites: Restricted to Graduate Students only.

Studies current research and research literature on an astrophysical topic. Students and faculty give presentations. Subjects vary each semester. May be repeated for a total of 4 credit hours to meet candidacy requirements. Prereq., graduate standing or instructor consent. Prerequisites: Restricted to Graduate Students only.

Examines mechanics of deformable materials, with applications to earthquake processes. Introduces seismic wave theory. Other topics include inversion of seismic data for the structure, composition, and state of the interior of the Earth. Same as GEOL 6610 and PHYS 6610. Prerequisites: Restricted to Graduate Students only.

Covers space and surface geodetic techniques as well as potential theory. Other topics are the definition and geophysical interpretation of the geoid and of surface gravity anomalies; isostasy; post-glacial rebound; and tides and the rotation of the Earth. Same as GEOL 6620 and PHYS 6620. Prerequisites: Restricted to Graduate Students only.

Examines the solar system, emphasizing theories of its origin and meteorites. Highlights distribution of radioactive materials, age dating, heat flow through continents and the ocean floor, internal temperature distribution in the Earth, and mantle convection. Also covers the origin of the oceans and atmosphere. Same as GEOL 6630 and PHYS 6630. Prerequisites: Restricted to Graduate Students only.

Advanced seminar studies in geophysical subjects for graduate students. Same as GEOL 6650 and PHYS 6650. Prerequisites: Restricted to Graduate Students only.

Acquaints students with current research in astrophysical and planetary sciences. Topics vary each semester. May be repeated up to 9 total credit hours. Prerequisites: Restricted to Graduate Students only.

May be repeated up to 6 total credit hours. Instructor consent required. Prerequisites: Restricted to Graduate Students only.

All doctoral students must register for not fewer than 30 hours of dissertation credit as part of the requirements for the degree. For a detailed discussion of doctoral dissertation credit, refer to the Graduate School section. Prerequisites: Restricted to Graduate Students only.