AIMS OF THE CLASS:

The Solar System is our backyard in astronomical terms, our home turf in the Universe. The aims of this course are:

1) To review what the Solar System is like today, as revealed by both astronomical observations from Earth and NASA's intensive planetary exploration program over the past three decades.

2) To understand how the Solar System has evolved, how it got to be the way it is, and to think about how it might develop in the future.

3) To describe our planetary neighbors and discuss similarities and differences compared with the Earth.

4) To discuss the origin of life on Earth and review the possibility that life might exist (or may once have existed) elsewhere in the Solar System.

CLASS FORMAT:

One-credit class:

This class meets on Mondays only and is graded satisfactory/unsatisfactory, based on attendance and participation. There are no homeworks or exams.

Two-credit class:

This class meets on both Mondays and Thursdays. You will receive a letter grade based on attendance/participation (20%) and four exams (4 x 20%). The exams each last 50 minutes and are held on Thursdays during normal class times (see schedule for dates).

Attendance: Attendance is included in the grade, so it is essential that it is recorded honestly and accurately. You will do this by filling out, signing and turning in an attendance/participation form at each class. If you have to miss a class it is in your interests to provide an official excuse (preferably in advance for reasons other than illness). More than two unexcused absences during the semester will result in an automatic failing grade. Note that attempting to falsify an attendance is effectively cheating and will also lead to an automatic failing grade.

Class schedule: Separate Monday/Thursday schedules can be found here. If you are taking the 1-credit class, you can ignore the Thursday schedule.

Download class information here

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