2024 Faculty Courses School of Science Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences Graduate major in Earth-Life Science
Earth-Life Science C
- Academic unit or major
- Graduate major in Earth-Life Science
- Instructor(s)
- Shigeru Ida / Hidenori Genda / John William Hernlund / Yasuhito Sekine / Takanori Kodama
- Class Format
- Lecture (Face-to-face)
- Media-enhanced courses
- -
- Day of week/Period
(Classrooms) - 3-4 Tue / 3-4 Fri
- Class
- -
- Course Code
- ELS.C403
- Number of credits
- 200
- Course offered
- 2024
- Offered quarter
- 3Q
- Syllabus updated
- Mar 14, 2025
- Language
- English
Syllabus
Course overview and goals
The basic ideas of the surface environments and interior structure of the present-day Earth are explained. Earth's formation/evolution as a planet in Solar system is also explained via formation models of Solar system. Solar system explorations and exoplanet observations are also explained.
Course description and aims
Understanding the Earth as a site of emergence of life to discuss relations to origins of life on the Earth. Extrapolating these understanding to discuss possible life in satellites and Mars in Solar system and in exoplanets.
Keywords
Structure/evolution of Earth, Mars, Icy satellites, Solar system formation, exoplanetary systems, origins of life
Competencies
- Specialist skills
- Intercultural skills
- Communication skills
- Critical thinking skills
- Practical and/or problem-solving skills
- Acquiring knowledge and skills to discuss relations between planet/satellites and life in our Solar system and exoplanetary systems understanding to discuss possible life in satellites and Mars in Solar system and in exoplanets.
Class flow
Lectures and small group discussions
Course schedule/Objectives
| Course schedule | Objectives | |
|---|---|---|
| Class 1 | The present-day Earth |
An overview of the entire Earth as it is today |
| Class 2 | Earth's history |
Evolution of Earth from formation to the present |
| Class 3 | Exploration of the Solar System |
A broad survey of solar system bodies and observations |
| Class 4 | Planet formation |
How are planets made? |
| Class 5 | Satellite formation |
Formation of moons |
| Class 6 | Origins of organic materials |
Where from, how, when, and how much? |
| Class 7 | Planetary chemistry 1 |
Planetary chemistry 1 |
| Class 8 | Planetary chemistry 2 |
Planetary chemistry 2 |
| Class 9 | Water delivery to Earth |
Where from, how, when, and how much? |
| Class 10 | Stellar evolution |
The birth, life, and death of stars, and how their evolution affects planets |
| Class 11 | Exoplanet observations |
A survey of exoplanet exploration |
| Class 12 | Earth climate system |
Earth climate system |
| Class 13 | Habitable conditions |
Habitable conditions |
| Class 14 | Summary, reports, and future prospects |
We will summarize the course, answer questions, and discuss future research prospects in planet science at ELSI. |
Study advice (preparation and review)
Reading text books with other students
Textbook(s)
NA
Reference books, course materials, etc.
Geodynamics, D. Turcotte & G. Shubert
Young Sun, Early Earth and the Origins of Life, M. Gargaud et al.
Astrophysics of planet formation, P. Armitage
Atmospheric Evolution on Inhabited and Lifeless Worlds, David C. Catling & James F. Kasting.
Evaluation methods and criteria
Small reports
Related courses
- ELS.C401 ： Earth-Life Science A
- ELS.C402 ： Earth-Life Science B
Prerequisites
Deep interests in the Earth, life on the Earths and that in universe