- UCAS course code
- F3FA
- UCAS institution code
- M20
Course unit details:
Origin of the Solar System
| Unit code | EART32201 |
|---|---|
| Credit rating | 10 |
| Unit level | Level 6 |
| Teaching period(s) | Semester 1 |
| Available as a free choice unit? | No |
Overview
In this course unit students will trace the evolution through nucleosynthesis of the galactic chemical composition from the big bang to the formation of our solar system. They will gain an insight into how the elements heavier than He were produced through stellar nucleosynthesis. They will learn how a portion of a molecular cloud collapsed to form a solar nebula in which the planets began to form, and understand how the analysis of meteorites sheds light on this time period. They will learn how a range of processes combined to produce the diverse population of planetary bodies we are familiar with today.
There is an emphasis in the course on developing your own understanding, applying it in new contexts, and supporting your opinions with evidence. Students are encouraged to read around the subject, following their interests and starting from some recommended papers on the blackboard site.
Pre/co-requisites
Pre-requisite Units:
Core second year units on the planetary science pathway of the Earth Sciences degree programme.
OR
First two years of Physics programmes.
Aims
For students to develop and be able to explain an evidence-based understanding of the processes that led to the emergence of our solar system in its current configuration, and of the bodies within it.
Learning outcomes
On the successful completion of the course, students will be able to: | Developed | Assessed | |
ILO 1 | Provide an up-to-date account of the properties of the solar system and of the bodies within it. | X | X |
ILO 2 | Critically discuss the processes proposed to have determined the properties of planetary bodies. | X | X |
ILO 3 | Comment on areas of uncertainty in this area, and on the things we don’t know. | X | X |
ILO 4 | Support their opinions in this area with evidence from scholarly reviews and primary sources. | X | X |
| ILO 5 | Reflect on the benefits obtained through and pitfalls encountered by working as a team. | X | |
Syllabus
The lecture series takes the form of a narrative covering the events that led to the formation of our solar system and the planetary bodies within it. The narrative will reference the current evidence base and discuss areas of uncertainty. It will cover…
- Galactic chemical evolution producing the solar system composition from the products of big bang nucleosynthesis.
- Molecular cloud collapse.
- The formation and properties of an accretion disk/solar nebula.
- The formation of dust, emergence of planetesimals and processes thereon.
Teaching and learning methods
20 x 1 hour lectures.
Blackboard site with links to recommendations for further reading, notes, material supporting lectures and a discussion board.
Students will work as a team to develop a wiki covering subjects central to the course unit.
Assessment methods
| Method | Weight |
|---|---|
| Written assignment (inc essay) | 50% |
| Report | 50% |
Feedback methods
| Assessment type | % Weighting within unit | Hand out and hand in dates | Length
| How, when and what feedback is provided | ILO tested |
| Essay | 50% | TBD | As appropriate | Via turnitin within expected time limit | 1-4 |
| Essay | 50% | TBD | As appropriate | Via Turnitin within expected time limit | 1-4 |
Recommended reading
The blackboard site and lecture slides provide links to the current research literature.
Study hours
| Independent study hours | |
|---|---|
| Independent study | 100 |
Teaching staff
| Staff member | Role |
|---|---|
| James Gilmour | Unit coordinator |
Additional notes
| Type | Example student activity | Total Hours | New material | Consolidation and Practice |
| Contact time (students are in front of staff) | Lecture (new material) | Mostly listening & taking notes (mostly new material) | 15 | 15 | 0 |
| Lecture (revision/examples) | Mostly listening & taking notes (no new material- revision of course) | 5 | 0 | 5 | |
| Practical (new material and practice. Typically 25-50% of practical time is spent on new material) | Interactive individual or group work (problem solving, experiments, watching demonstrations, describing and interpreting samples, paper-based exercises, computer-based exercises) | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Tutorial | Interactive small group work | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Seminar/examples class | Working on and discussing questions (here: field seminar) | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Independent study time | Pre/post lecture work | Reading own notes, re-solving examples, prep work, revisit podcast | 20 | 0 | 20 |
| Pre/post practical work/write up | Complete practical work, prep work, reading feedback | 0 |