This course provides an introduction to planetary geology with a view to understanding what makes planet Earth so special in a galactic context. We will explore the solar system and humans' place in it. We will examine the essential ingredients for life on planets and how the planets come by them. We will step back in time to examine the earliest solar system, going back to the origin of the elements themselves and the processes that have occurred in carrying matter from where it formed to where it can build new solar systems. The conditions on individual planets appears to be the result of many stochastic processes and it can be concluded that our solar system is the end-product of many accidental and chance events, leading to a philosophical discussion of whether planets similar to Earth will be discovered elsewhere in the universe.

On satisfying the requirements of this course, students will have the knowledge and skills to:

1. Explain, in scientific terms, the astronomical context of planet formation in general and the formation of our solar system in particular, recent exoplanet detections, our planetary system, meteoritics and cosmochemistry, chronology of the early Earth, composition of the Earth, the Moon-forming impact.
2. Write two scientific essays on relevant topics, including abstract and bibliography, and make a scientific research presentation on one of these topics.
3. Demonstrate laboratory skills through a range of modules requiring, for example, experimental analysis of radioactive decay, petrographic description of rocks from the solar system, crater counting methodology for Mars and Moon, observation of Urey-Miller experiment. 
4. Explain the learning opportunities of field trips, through local field trips to a) identify major minerals/rock types in the area; and b) to visit Mt Stromlo for evening of observations of planets and star formation regions.

• 20% Essay  ( ~ 2500 words, ~week 6)
• 15% presentation based on essay
• 15% Labs
• 50% Final Exam

Three lectures per week plus 6-8 labs

Any first year PHYS, CHEM, EMSC or GEOL course.

GEOL3022