2026 (Current Year) Faculty Courses School of Science Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences Graduate major in Earth and Planetary Sciences
Advanced Earth and Space Sciences C
- Academic unit or major
- Graduate major in Earth and Planetary Sciences
- Instructor(s)
- Stevanus Kristianto Nugroho
- Class Format
- Lecture (Face-to-face)
- Media-enhanced courses
- -
- Day of week/Period
(Classrooms) - 3-4 Tue (I3-203(I321)) / 3-4 Fri (I3-203(I321))
- Class
- -
- Course Code
- EPS.A413
- Number of credits
- 100
- Course offered
- 2026
- Offered quarter
- 1Q
- Syllabus updated
- Mar 5, 2026
- Language
- English
Syllabus
Course overview and goals
This course provides an overview of the physics, chemistry, and observation of exoplanet atmospheres. It integrates fundamental theory—such as radiative transfer, opacity, atmospheric chemistry, and dynamics—with modern observational techniques, including low- and high-resolution spectroscopy. Students will learn how planetary atmospheres shape observable spectra and what these observations reveal about atmospheric structure, composition, and dynamics. Emphasis is placed on developing physical intuition, connecting models to data, and critically engaging with current research literature.
This course consists of seven classes. The course schedule will be announced at http://www.geo.titech.ac.jp/en/education.php
Course description and aims
By the end of the course, students will be equipped to:
1. Understand the fundamental radiative processes that govern the formation of planetary spectra, as well as the chemical and dynamical processes that shape planetary atmospheres and their observable properties.
2. Understand and evaluate state-of-the-art studies in exoplanet atmosphere characterisation and related fields in planetary science.
Keywords
exoplanets, planetary atmospheres, atmospheric chemistry, atmospheric dynamics, spectroscopy, radiative transfer, observational astronomy
Competencies
- Specialist skills
- Intercultural skills
- Communication skills
- Critical thinking skills
- Practical and/or problem-solving skills
Class flow
Each class will be structured as follows (except for Class 7):
1. Short quiz on the previous class (approximately 15 minutes, only in Classes 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6)
2. Brief review and clarification of key concepts (~5 minutes)
3. Lecture (Part I) (~35 minutes)
4. Short break (~5 minutes)
5. Lecture (Part II) (~35 minutes)
6. Introduction of a take-home problem designed to encourage conceptual exploration (5 minutes, only in Classes 1, 3, and 5)
Course schedule/Objectives
| Course schedule | Objectives | |
|---|---|---|
| Class 1 | Introduction: Observational Astronomy and Why Atmospheres Matter Across the Universe |
Understand the basic observational quantities used in astronomy and how exoplanets are detected, motivating the central role of atmospheres in planetary science and habitability. |
| Class 2 | Radiative Transfer in Planetary Atmospheres |
Understand the physical principles governing radiation transport in planetary atmospheres |
| Class 3 | Opacity: Continuum and Line Processes |
Understand the microphysics of opacity and how atomic and molecular processes shape atmospheric spectra |
| Class 4 | Chemistry and Dynamics: What Sets Atmospheric Structure |
Understand how chemical composition and atmospheric dynamics determine temperature structure, molecular abundances, and observable spectral features. |
| Class 5 | Observing Exoplanet Atmospheres |
Understand how exoplanet atmospheres are observed and what information can be extracted from different spectroscopic regimes |
| Class 6 | High-Resolution Spectroscopy, Retrieval, and the Future |
Understand how high-resolution spectroscopy probes atmospheric physics and how atmospheric properties are inferred through forward modelling and retrieval techniques. |
| Class 7 | Student Paper Presentations and Discussion |
Understand how to critically analyse current research and integrate the physical and observational concepts learned throughout the course. |
Study advice (preparation and review)
Students are expected to dedicate regular time each week to preparation and review (typically around two hours outside class, including assignments). Given the cumulative and concept-driven nature of the course, consistent engagement is essential.
Preparation and review should involve revisiting key physical concepts and equations, re-deriving important results, and consulting recommended textbooks and research literature as appropriate. Throughout the course, students are encouraged to adopt a research-oriented mindset, prioritising physical interpretation and critical thinking over memorisation.
Textbook(s)
None
Reference books, course materials, etc.
Selected textbooks and review articles on exoplanet atmospheres, high-resolution spectroscopy and related topics (to be provided during the course)
Evaluation methods and criteria
Student's knowledge of the basics of exoplanet atmosphere, spectroscopic observations, and the application will be assessed by quizzes (30%), assignments (30%) and group presentation (40%). Individual contributions will be considered in the assessment of the group presentation.
Related courses
- EPS.A410 ： Earth and Space Sciences A
- EPS.A411 ： Earth and Space Sciences B
- EPS.A333 ： Planetary Astronomy
Prerequisites
None
Contact information (e-mail and phone) Notice : Please replace from ”[at]” to ”@”(half-width character).
nugroho[at]eps.sci.isct.ac.jp
Other
This course will begin on April 7th (April 7th, 14th, 21st, 28th; May 8th, 15th, 22nd)