2024/25 Undergraduate Module Catalogue
PHAS1510 Planets and the Search for Life
10 creditsClass Size: 250
Module manager: Dr Olja Panic
Email: O.Panic@leeds.ac.uk
Taught: Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) View Timetable
Year running 2024/25
Pre-requisite qualifications
NoneThis module is approved as a discovery module
Module summary
This module explores the multitude of planets that are currently being discovered around other stars and compares them to those in our solar system. The module will concentrate on the concepts involved and is non-mathematical, and therefore amenable to students of the arts, humanities and sciences. We will examine the origin and evolution of the solar system and how it is likely to have produced the range of planets, moons and minor bodies that we see today. This will be contrasted with the range of extra-solar planets, their detection, properties, and how they challenge our understanding of how planets are formed. Finally the conditions for life to emerge will be discussed and the prospects and techniques for finding life elsewhere in the solar system and on exo-planets will be explored.Objectives
On completion of this module, students should be able to- describe the properties of planets in the solar system and around other stars
- give an overview of current understanding of the origin and evolution of planets in the solar system and around other stars
- describe the factors important in the existence and detection of life
- be familiar with the techniques used for studying planets in the solar system and around other stars,
- discuss relevant current space missions,
- describe the methods used in the Search for Extra-Terrestrial Intelligence.
Learning outcomes
Students will be able to demonstrate knowledge, understanding and application of:
1. Theories of the origin and evolution of planetary systems including the Solar system;
2. Emergence of life on Earth
3. Techniques for detecting exoplanets; techniques used in the search for life and for habitable planets.
4. Requirements for life elsewhere in the Solar system and how they may be met.
5. Manage time and plan work to meet deadlines.
Skills outcomes
- Interpretation of observational data and models;
- Evaluation and synthesis of varied data types and sources;
- Critical thinking.
Syllabus
- Earth and other bodies in the solar system: rocky, gas and ice planets, icy moons, comets, asteroids, KBOs and dust;
- Dusty disks and the solar nebula theory;
- Detection techniques for exoplanets;
- Models of exoplanetary systems and their evolution;
- Criteria for life, classical habitable zone, extremophiles and the timescale for life;
- Case studies in the solar system: terrestrial planets (Earth, Mars, Venus) and moons (Titan, Enceladus) in terms of temperature, albedo, greenhouse effect, magnetic field, tectonics
- Life on exoplanets; novel types of life.
- Drake Equation, SETI, SETI techniques.
Teaching methods
| Delivery type | Number | Length hours | Student hours |
| Lecture | 11 | 1.00 | 11.00 |
| Independent online learning hours | 11.00 | ||
| Private study hours | 78.00 | ||
| Total Contact hours | 11.00 | ||
| Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) | 100.00 | ||
Methods of assessment
Coursework
| Assessment type | Notes | % of formal assessment |
| In-course MCQ | Regular MCQs | 70.00 |
| Essay | Essay | 30.00 |
| Total percentage (Assessment Coursework) | 100.00 | |
Students must submit a serious attempt at all assessment elements of this module, in order to pass the module overall.
Reading list
There is no reading list for this moduleLast updated: 25/03/2024 15:09:30
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