2023_ES2232F_Course+Outline

Department of Earth Sciences ES2232F – Exploring the Planets – Course Outline Fall term 2023/2024 We aim to highlight the exciting nature of Planetary Science and the rapid pace of discoveries. The results of past and ongoing space missions to various planets and moons will be integrated into the lecture material. This course will focus on the following topics: ● What is Planetary Science? ● The properties of planetary bodies and moons in the Solar System. ● Planetary interiors. ● Planetary surface processes (e.g., volcanism, impact cratering, aqueous processes). ● Planetary atmospheres. ● Meteorites: rocks from Space; comets: dirty snowballs. ● Astrobiology and the search for life. ● Exoplanets. Learning Outcomes: Upon completion of this course, students will be able to: ● Define the properties of the various objects in the Solar System. ● Distinguish and explain processes that shape the various objects in the Solar System. ● Apply knowledge of the Solar System ’ s dynamic processes to develop a targeted space exploration project. ● Integrate theoretical and observational information to describe the cause(s) of the variety of objects in our solar system. ● Evaluate and begin to synthesize concepts, theories, and observations related to course material. ● Develop writing skills and project development related to Planetary Science and space exploration. Contingency plan for an in-person class pivoting to 100% online learning. In the event of a COVID-19 resurgence during the course that necessitates the course delivery moving away from face-to- face interaction, affected course content will be delivered entirely online, either synchronously (i.e., at the times indicated in the timetable) or asynchronously (e.g., posted on OWL for students to view at their convenience). The grading scheme will not change. Any remaining assessments will also be conducted online as determined by the course instructor.

Department of Earth Sciences ES2232F – Exploring the Planets – Course Outline Fall term 2023/2024 Week/ KEY Dates What to Expect? What to do? 7 Oct 15 th to Oct 21 st October 19 th Comparison of the Planets! Exoplanets, the “Outer Limits” Geologic Processes on the Planets (Impact cratering, internal differentiation, volcanism, tectonism, surface fluids) Be ready for Proctortrack. Follow instructions and be prepared! Watch the video/lectures. Review your material. Finish your readings. Be prepared for the Midterm. Work on Lab 3 and, if you have a chance, visit the nice displays of meteorites at Western (at the BGS and Hutchinson Suite!) Assignment: Quiz 4 (review questions) . 8 Oct 22 nd to Oct 28 th October 24 th October 26 th MIDTERM Week (20) Multiple Choice & (1 to 5) Short Answers. Online, Proctored & Synchronous MIDTERM – 2 hours long Group Project Draft Pre-Assessment Deadline (Submission is Optional) Be sure to review all previous weeks videos/lectures/readings/quizz in preparation for the midterm. Don’t miss the Midterm! Submit your group project draft version! Deadline: Submit Lab 3 (meteorites) 9 Oct 29 th to Nov 5 th FALL READING WEEK Get some rest! Update any work left behind. Keep working on your group project. Prepare for the next steps! 10 Nov 5 th to Nov 11 th November 9 th “Outer Planets” Jupiter and its Satellites The Saturn System and the Satellites Group Project Draft Pre-Assessment Deadline (Submission is Optional) Watch the video/lectures. Make appointments with your group and TA for group project feedback! Assignment: Quiz 5 (review questions) . 11 Nov 12 th to Nov 18 th November 16 th “Outer Planets” Uranus and Neptune The “Ice Worlds” Pluto and the dwarf planets Comets Watch the video/lectures. Make appointments with your group and TA for group project feedback! Assignment: Quiz 6 (review questions) .

Department of Earth Sciences ES2232F – Exploring the Planets – Course Outline Fall term 2023/2024 5. Methods of Evaluation Find here a statement of the methods by which student performance will be evaluated and the weight of each, including the number and schedule of assignments (due date). The overall course grade will be calculated as listed below: Grading Scheme Details Weight & Info Due Dates Laboratories (3 available. 2 mandatory!) Choose yours. No make-ups! Submit all and keep your up 2 results. 20% (n-1, 10% each) Sep. 28 th /2023 (Lab 1) Oct. 12 th /2023 (Lab 2) Oct. 26 th /2023 (Lab 3) Quizzes (7 available. 5 mandatory!) Choose yours. No make-ups! Submit all and keep your up 5 results. 25% (n-2, 5% each) Sep. 14 th /2023 (Quiz 1) Sep. 21 st /2023 (Quiz 2) Oct 5 th /2023 (Quiz 3) Oct 19 th /2023 (Quiz 4) Nov 9 th /2023 (Quiz 5) Nov 16 th /2023 (Quiz 6) Nov 30 th /2023 (Quiz 7) Midterm – 2 hours long (20) Multiple Choice & (1 to 5) Short Answers. Online, Proctored & Synchronous 10% Oct. 24 th /2023 4pm to 6pm Group Project (Video/Oral Individual Presentations (10%), Abstract (5%) + Poster (5%)) 20% Draft (Pre-assessment): Oct. 26 th /2023 Final version: Nov. 23 rd /2023 Final Exam – 3 hours long Cumulative, (10) Multiple Choice, (1 to 5) Short & (1 to 3) Long Answers. It will be online, proctored & synchronous) 25% Date/Time is coming soon ! Fall examination Period: Dec. 10 th to Dec. 22 nd /2023 Extra-points. A few opportunities to gain some extra credits may be available (e.g., Participation or Self & Group evaluation) Up to 5% Coming suddenly! Check the course site on a regular basis for updates and opportunities!

Department of Earth Sciences ES2232F – Exploring the Planets – Course Outline Fall term 2023/2024 6. Student Absences /Accommodation and Accessibility If you are unable to meet a course requirement due to illness or other serious circumstances, please follow the procedures below. Note that in all cases, documentation (medical or otherwise) is required, and it can only be collected by the student ’ s Dean ’ s Office Academic Counselling unit. Assessments worth 10% or more of the overall course grade: By policy, academic considerations for work totaling 10% or more of the final course grade can be granted only by the student ’ s Faculty of Registration (academic counselors). In such cases, you must provide valid medical or supporting documentation to the Academic Counselling Office of your Faculty of Registration as soon as possible. For further information, please consult the University ’ s medical illness policy at https://www.uwo.ca/univsec/pdf/academic_policies/appeals/accommodation_medical.pdf . The Student Medical Certificate is available at https://www.uwo.ca/univsec/pdf/academic_policies/appeals/medicalform.pdf . Accommodation Policies: Group Project: You must seek official accommodation through an academic counsellor. You cannot use a self-reported absence for this assignment since most of the work must be completed at least 48 hours before the deadline. If you are ill the day before the assignment is due, the rest of your group is still expected to submit on time. Late submissions of the group project will incur a 10% penalty per day. If you receive accommodation and do not participate in the group project, you will be required to prepare a poster/presentation on a different space mission chosen by the instructor. Labs and Quiz: You have options to choose. No other make-up opportunity or reweighting will be available. A late penalty of 10% per day will be applied to late submissions. Midterm: If you receive accommodation, your test points will be transferred to your Final Exam. Absences from Final Examinations : If you miss the Final Exam, please contact the Academic Counselling office of your Faculty of Registration as soon as you can do so. They will assess your eligibility to write the Special Examination (the name given by the University to a makeup Final Exam). You may also be eligible to write the Special Exam if you are in a “ Multiple Exam Situation ” (e.g., more than 2 exams in a 23-hour period, more than 3 exams in a 47-hour period). If a student fails to write a scheduled Special Examination, the date of the next Special Examination (if granted) normally will be the scheduled date for the final exam the next time this course is offered. The maximum course load for that term will be reduced by the credit of the course(s) for which the final examination has been deferred. See the Academic Calendar for details (under Special Examinations ). Note: missed work can only be excused through one of the mechanisms above. Being asked not to attend a course requirement due to potential COVID-19 symptoms is not sufficient on its own.