Last modified: 17 Hours, 36 Minutes ago
Explore the landscapes of planetary bodies in this interdisciplinary course. Learn how processes such as aeolian, volcanic, tectonic, fluvial, glacial, and impact activities shape surfaces across the solar system. Study how similar geomorphic processes might operate differently in varied planetary settings through developing a comparative understanding. Ideal for students interested in planetary science, geology, and space exploration.
| Study Type | Postgraduate | Level | 5 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Term | Second Term | Credit Points | 15 credits (7.5 ECTS credits) |
| Campus | Aberdeen | Sustained Study | No |
| Co-ordinators |
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Planetary Geomorphology offers an in-depth exploration of the landscapes and surface-shaping processes operating across the solar system. This course is designed for students interested in the landscape evolution of planetary bodies, and provides a strong interdisciplinary foundation that combines geomorphology, planetary science, remote sensing, and space mission data analysis.
The course begins by grounding students in terrestrial geomorphological principles—understanding how physical processes such as erosion, aeolian, volcanism, tectonism, weathering, glaciation, and impact cratering have shaped the surface of Earth. With this foundation, students then examine how these same processes manifest across diverse planetary environments, where variables such as atmospheric pressure, gravity, surface temperature, and material properties differ widely from those on Earth.
A central theme of the course is comparative planetary geomorphology, an approach that emphasises analysing landforms and surface processes across multiple planetary bodies to better understand their similarities and differences at various spatiotemporal scales. Students will learn how planetary conditions influence the formation and evolution of key surface and landscape features. The course also incorporates details on the key principles of remote sensing image interpretation and topographic analysis, which further facilitate geomorphological mapping. A field visit to relevant locations can also be organised for relating image observations with in-situ observations.
This course is suitable for students from backgrounds in geography, planetary science, geology, environmental science, and physics. It offers valuable skills for those considering careers in Earth and planetary sciences, remote sensing, space mission planning, or science communication.
Planetary Geomorphology is an opportunity to explore the incredible diversity of landscapes beyond Earth, understand the processes that shape them, and gain a broader appreciation of planetary evolution and the Earth’s uniqueness within the solar system.
Information on contact teaching time is available from the course guide.
| Assessment Type | Summative | Weighting | 50 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Assessment Weeks | 40 | Feedback Weeks | 40 | |
| Feedback |
This will be an end-of-the-term assessment, gauging students’ understanding of the entire course. Individual feedback will be provided. The online MCQ exam will be open for a 48-hrs period within which, the students can attempt it within any given hour. |
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| Knowledge Level | Thinking Skill | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Conceptual | Apply | Ability to compare geomorphic systems across different planetary environments. |
| Conceptual | Understand | Understanding of key surface processes and landforms on planetary bodies. |
| Procedural | Analyse | Ability to interpret and analyse planetary imagery and topographic data. |
| Procedural | Apply | Ability to apply geomorphological reasoning to surface features of planets and moons. |
| Assessment Type | Summative | Weighting | 50 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Assessment Weeks | 33 | Feedback Weeks | 35 | |
| Feedback |
2,500-word essay. This will be a mid-term assessment, gauging students’ understanding of the first four foundational lectures in the course. Individual feedback will be provided. The students will be given 3-weeks’ time to synthesise and submit the essay. The submission will be online. |
Word Count | 2500 | |
| Knowledge Level | Thinking Skill | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Conceptual | Apply | Ability to compare geomorphic systems across different planetary environments. |
| Conceptual | Understand | Understanding of key surface processes and landforms on planetary bodies. |
| Procedural | Analyse | Ability to interpret and analyse planetary imagery and topographic data. |
| Reflection | Create | Ability to communicate scientific findings clearly in written and visual formats. |
There are no assessments for this course.
| Assessment Type | Summative | Weighting | 50 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Assessment Weeks | 50 | Feedback Weeks | 51 | |
| Feedback |
2,500-word essay. This will gauge students’ understanding of the first four foundational lectures in the course. Individual feedback will be provided. The students will be given 1-week’s time to synthesise and submit the essay. The submission will be online. |
Word Count | 2500 | |
| Knowledge Level | Thinking Skill | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
|
|
||
| Assessment Type | Summative | Weighting | 50 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Assessment Weeks | 50 | Feedback Weeks | 51 | |
| Feedback |
This will be an end-of-the-term assessment, gauging students’ understanding of the entire course. Individual feedback will be provided. The online MCQ exam will be open for a 48-hrs period within which, the students can attempt it within any given hour. |
|||
| Knowledge Level | Thinking Skill | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
|
|
||
| Knowledge Level | Thinking Skill | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Conceptual | Understand | Understanding of key surface processes and landforms on planetary bodies. |
| Conceptual | Apply | Ability to compare geomorphic systems across different planetary environments. |
| Procedural | Analyse | Ability to interpret and analyse planetary imagery and topographic data. |
| Reflection | Create | Ability to communicate scientific findings clearly in written and visual formats. |
| Procedural | Apply | Ability to apply geomorphological reasoning to surface features of planets and moons. |
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