How did the Earth form? How do planets form? How can we search for life beyond Earth? This course is an introduction to planetary science that tries to answer these questions.
We will explore the solar system and exoplanets. We will step back in time to examine the earliest solar system, going back to the origin of the elements themselves and the processes that build new solar systems, planetary surfaces and planetary interiors. We will examine how planets are explored and modelled using theory, experiments and field studies. We will study the essential ingredients for life on planets and strategies to search for life beyond Earth.
Honours Pathway Option (HPO):
- Honours Pathway students will be required to participate in an extended laboratory analysis to explore asteroid and planetary bodies, including a brief analytical report. Students will develop investigative and laboratory skills. Students undertaking the HPO will engage with LO3, LO4, and LO5 in greater depth.
- Students can opt-in to the HPO by joining the “HPO Lab Group” prior to the Week 4 Lab, and can opt-out at any time.
- The HPO is limited to 50 students due to laboratory space limitations.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:
- Explain, in scientific terms, the astronomical context of planet formation in our solar system and exoplanetary systems, and the evolution of planetary bodies.
- Recognise key visual aspects of planets and exoplanets through observations.
- Apply data and approaches used on Earth (e.g., experimental data and field analog sites) to other planetary bodies.
- Demonstrate laboratory skills through a range of modules requiring, for example, models of orbital dynamics, descriptions of rocks from the solar system, and experiments/calculations related to the fundamental properties of planetary bodies.
- Collaborate with peers to critically evaluate and present on planetary science topics.
- Develop teamwork skills while collaborating to generate original work, assessing team-member contributions and providing peer-to-peer feedback.
Other Information
A nominal trip fee of $50 will be levied via Science Shop.
Indicative Assessment
- Quizzes (40) [LO 1,2,3,4,5,6]
- Group Research Poster and Presentation (35) [LO 1,2,3,4,5,6]
- Individual Research Poster Peer-review and Abstract (15) [LO 1,5,6]
- Field Trip Assessments (10) [LO 2,3,5]
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Workload
The expected workload will consist of approximately 130 hours throughout the semester including:
- Face-to face component which may consist of 1 x 2 hour tutorial plus 1 x 3 hour tutorial/lab per week
- A couple of excursions associated with the course. For example: 1) an evening field trip to the ANU Stromlo Observatory early in the semester; 2) a trip during a course time to the UNSW, Canberra Impact Dynamics Laboratory; 3) a weekend day-trip to the Deep Space Network facility at Tidbinbilla; and 4) a weekend day-trip to field sites in NSW that are analogs for environments on Mars.
- Approximately 45 hours of self-study which will include preparation for lectures, presentations and other assessment tasks.
Inherent Requirements
To be determined
Requisite and Incompatibility
Prescribed Texts
McSween et al. (2019) Planetary Geoscience. Cambridge University Press. 334 pp.
Fees
Tuition fees are for the academic year indicated at the top of the page.
Commonwealth Support (CSP) Students
If you have been offered a Commonwealth supported place, your fees are set by the Australian Government for each course. At ANU 1 EFTSL is 48 units (normally 8 x 6-unit courses). More information about your student contribution amount for each course at Fees.
- Student Contribution Band:
- 2
- Unit value:
- 6 units
If you are a domestic graduate coursework student with a Domestic Tuition Fee (DTF) place or international student you will be required to pay course tuition fees (see below). Course tuition fees are indexed annually. Further information for domestic and international students about tuition and other fees can be found at Fees.
Where there is a unit range displayed for this course, not all unit options below may be available.
| Units | EFTSL |
|---|---|
| 6.00 | 0.12500 |
Offerings, Dates and Class Summary Links
ANU utilises MyTimetable to enable students to view the timetable for their enrolled courses, browse, then self-allocate to small teaching activities / tutorials so they can better plan their time. Find out more on the Timetable webpage.
Class summaries, if available, can be accessed by clicking on the View link for the relevant class number.
Second Semester
| Class number | Class start date | Last day to enrol | Census date | Class end date | Mode Of Delivery | Class Summary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7624 | 27 Jul 2026 | 03 Aug 2026 | 31 Aug 2026 | 30 Oct 2026 | In Person | N/A |