This course will provide an overview of modern earth and space sciences. Especially, from the view point of materials comprising our world, students understand the structure and the mechanism of our world such as universe, galaxies, stars, nucleosynthesis, the solar system, planets, Earth, and life. The origin of our solar system, the structure of Earth, and the evolution of environment and life on Earth are introduced including the latest progress.
By the end of this course, students will be able to understand basic concepts of modern earth and space sciences based on fundamental laws of physics and chemistry.
astrophysics, planetary physics, cosmochemistry
✔ Specialist skills | ✔ Intercultural skills | Communication skills | Critical thinking skills | Practical and/or problem-solving skills |
At the beginning of the class, a summary of the previous lecture is given. Then the main points of the day's lecture are presented, and students are asked to provide solutions to some of the questions as necessary.
The order of contents listed in the plan may change.
Course schedule | Required learning | |
---|---|---|
Class 1 | Overview of the material circulation in universe and Earth | Understand the overview of the material generation and circulation in universe and Earth |
Class 2 | Origin of elements and materials | Element and nucleus, Big Bang nucleosynthesis |
Class 3 | Nucleosynthesis in stars | Nucleosynthesis in main-sequence stars |
Class 4 | Star evolution and the material circulation in universe | Nucleosynthesis in post main-sequence, material circulation |
Class 5 | Solar system | Sun and planets, structure |
Class 6 | Meteorite chronology | Understand the basics of chronology based on radioactive isotopes. |
Class 7 | Formation theory of solar system | Understand basic concepts of solar-system formation. |
Class 8 | Chemical evolution of solar system | Solar abundance, differentiation |
Class 9 | Interiors of terrestrial planets | Crust, mantle, core, lithosphere |
Class 10 | Rocks forming Earth | Igneous rock petrology, differentiation |
Class 11 | Evolution of solid Earth | Platetechtonics |
Class 12 | Evolution of planets environments | Evolution of atmosphere, initial atmosphere, oxidization, continental growth |
Class 13 | Evolution of Earth life | History of life, Co-evolution/interaction of Earth and life |
Class 14 | Astrobiology | Extraterrestrial life |
To enhance effective learning, students are encouraged to spend approximately 100 minutes preparing for class and another 100 minutes reviewing class content afterwards (including assignments) for each class.
They should do so by referring to textbooks and other course material.
Uchu Chikyu Kagaku, Bun'ei Sato and Hideo Tsunakawa, Kohdansya
Reference books and course materials are introduced during the course.
Student's understanding of materials explained in classes will be assessed with exercise problems. Final exam is not held.
None