COSMOCHEMISTRY AND METEORITICS

Credit Hours: 3 · Undergraduate Upper-Level

This course will provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the chemical and physical processes that have shaped our solar system from its formation to the present day. Students will explore the origins of elements, the geochemical and petrological classification of planetary materials, and the role of isotopic analysis in deciphering planetary formation and evolution. Key topics include nucleosynthesis, radiogenic dating, elemental fractionation, planetary differentiation, surface processes, and description and identification of meteorites. Additionally, students will examine the contributions of space missions in advancing our understanding of planetary materials and the evolution of the solar system. This course includes a three-day field trip to dry lake beds in Nevada and California Graduate/Undergraduate Equivalency: EEPS 617 . Mutually Exclusive: Cannot register for EEPS 417 if student has credit for EEPS 617 .