Course syllabus for Exoplanets and the solar system

The course syllabus contains changes
See changes

Course syllabus adopted 2022-02-02 by Head of Programme (or corresponding).

Overview

  • Swedish nameExoplaneter och solsystemet
  • CodeSEE145
  • Credits7.5 Credits
  • OwnerMPPHS
  • Education cycleSecond-cycle
  • Main field of studyEngineering Physics
  • DepartmentSPACE, EARTH AND ENVIRONMENT
  • GradingTH - Pass with distinction (5), Pass with credit (4), Pass (3), Fail

Course round 1

  • Teaching language English
  • Application code 85153
  • Block schedule
  • Open for exchange studentsYes

Credit distribution

0122 Examination 7.5 c
Grading: TH		 7.5 c
  • 12 Jan 2023 pm J
  • 05 Apr 2023 pm J
  • 16 Aug 2023 pm J

In programmes

Examiner

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Eligibility

General entry requirements for master's level (second cycle)
Applicants enrolled in a programme at Chalmers where the course is included in the study programme are exempted from fulfilling the requirements above.

Specific entry requirements

English 6 (or by other approved means with the equivalent proficiency level)
Applicants enrolled in a programme at Chalmers where the course is included in the study programme are exempted from fulfilling the requirements above.

Course specific prerequisites

Basic undergraduate physics (including mechanics, electrodynamics, quantum physics) and mathemathics. 

Aim

This course provides an introduction to our own solar system and planets orbiting other stars - exoplanets. Thousands of exoplanets have been discovered in recent decades following the development of groundbreaking instruments and facilities, particularly after the launch of several dedicated space telescopes. One of the greatest discoveries is the exceptional diversity of exoplanets where several new types of planets without equivalents in our own solar system have been discovered. The aim is to make students familiar with this new research field and gain an understanding of our own planet and planetary system in this context.

Learning outcomes (after completion of the course the student should be able to)

- Describe the structure of the solar system and the basic properties of the planets and moons, including calculations of the planets' orbits. 
- Have an understanding of different detection methods of exoplanets, including the possibilities and limitations of each method and basic application to observational data.
- Give an overview of planet formation theories and how these can explain the diversity of exoplanets and the architecture of planetary systems.

Content

- Introduction to stars. 
- Structure and exploration of the solar system. 
- Celestial mechanics. 
- The road to the discovery of the first exoplanet. 
- Detection methods and challenges. 
- Telescopes and instrumentation.
- Planet interiors. 
- Planet atmospheres. 
- Planet categories and the diversity of exoplanets. 
- Architecture of exoplanet systems. 
- Demographics. 
- Introduction to planet formation theories. 
- Habitability criteria.

Organisation

Lectures, exercises, discussions, project work and assignments.

Literature

Lecture notes complemented with references on specific topics.

Examination including compulsory elements

Written exam and compulsory assignments and project work.

The course examiner may assess individual students in other ways than what is stated above if there are special reasons for doing so, for example if a student has a decision from Chalmers on educational support due to disability.

The course syllabus contains changes

  • Changes to course rounds:
    • 2022-12-15: Block Block changed from C to D by Carina Persson
      [Course round 1]
    • 2022-03-08: Block Block C added by examinator
      [Course round 1]