Winter 07/Spring 08 Course Descriptions

All courses below are approved to be taught in Winter 2007 and Spring 2008; however, some (or all) may not be offered in either term.  The courses that are offered in Spring link to the Schedule of Classes.  Classes with alternative delivery modes (Web based, cable TV, correspondence, etc) are noted in the Schedule at the section level.  The complete list below is a good indicator of what may be offered over the next few years (contact department about offerings).  For explanations of course elements see the Key to Course Descriptions.

Planetary Sciences (PTYS)  Department Info

PTYS 191 -- Preceptorship  (1-5 units)
Description:  Specialized work on an individual basis, consisting of instruction and practice in actual service in a department, program, or discipline. Teaching formats may include seminars, in-depth studies, laboratory work and patient study.
Grading:  Alternative grades are awarded for this course: S P C D E.
Usually offered:  Fall, Spring, Summer.

PTYS 191H -- Honors Preceptorship  (1-5 units)
Description:  Specialized work on an individual basis, consisting of instruction and practice in actual service in a department, program, or discipline. Teaching formats may include seminars, in-depth studies, laboratory work and patient study.
Grading:  Alternative grades are awarded for this course: S P C D E.
Usually offered:  Fall, Spring, Summer.

PTYS 195A -- Planetary Sciences  (1 unit)
Description:  This first-year colloquium course has several topics to choose from. The topics vary by semester and include things such as the "Exploration of Mars" and "Planetary Catastrophes". For further information, select the Planetary Sciences "Dept Info" link above.  This is a First-Year Colloquium Course.
Grading:  Regular or alternative grades can be awarded for this course: A B C D E or S P C D E.
Usually offered:  Fall, Spring.

PTYS 199 -- Independent Study  (1-3 units)
Description:  Qualified students working on an individual basis with professors who have agreed to supervise such work.
Grading:  Alternative grades are awarded for this course: S P C D E.
May be repeated:  an unlimited number of times, consult your department for details and possible restrictions.
Usually offered:  Fall, Spring, Summer.

PTYS 199H -- Honors Independent Study  (1-3 units)
Description:  Qualified students working on an individual basis with professors who have agreed to supervise such work.
Grading:  Regular grades are awarded for this course: A B C D E.
May be repeated:  an unlimited number of times, consult your department for details and possible restrictions.
Usually offered:  Fall, Spring, Summer.

PTYS 206 -- Our Golden Age of Planetary Exploration  (3 units)
Description:  We will review current understanding of the contents of our Solar System and emphasize the processes that unite all of the planets and smaller bodies, such as tectonics, weathering, cratering, differentiation, and the evolution of oceans and atmospheres. The course will build on this knowledge to understand humankind's motivation to explore beyond our Solar System, especially to search for planets around distant stars and to look or listen for evidence of life elsewhere in the Universe.
Grading:  Regular grades are awarded for this course: A B C D E.
Prerequisite(s):  two courses from Tier One, Natural Sciences (NATS 101, 102, 104).
Approved as:  General Education Tier Two - Natural Sciences.
Identical to:  ASTR 206.
Usually offered:  Fall, Spring.

PTYS 209 -- Exploration and Discovery in Planetary Science  (3 units)
Description:  We will bring deep space exploration into the classroom by simulating a mission to a "newly discovered" planet. The class will select a primary objective for their spacecraft mission to this object, such as searching for signs of life on it. Lectures augmented with hands-on laboratory exercises will build on physical concepts developed in Tier 1 courses that are important to understanding planetary processes. Students will present analyses of their findings in conference-style format at the end of the semester.
Grading:  Regular grades are awarded for this course: A B C D E.
Approved as:  General Education Tier Two - Natural Sciences.
Usually offered:  Fall, Spring.

PTYS 214 -- Astrobiology : A Planetary Prospective  (3 units)
Description:  We will explore questions about the origin, evolution, and future of life on Earth and the possibility of life arising independently elsewhere in the Universe. We will examine what it means for a planet to be habitable, both in terms of basic necessities for living organisms to function and environmental limits to their ability to survive. Finally, we will review different approaches for searching for life within the Solar System and beyond using direct and remote sensing techniques.
Grading:  Regular grades are awarded for this course: A B C D E.
Approved as:  General Education Tier Two - Natural Sciences.
Identical to:  ASTR 214, GEOS 214.
Usually offered:  Fall, Spring.

PTYS 299 -- Independent Study  (1-3 units)
Description:  Qualified students working on an individual basis with professors who have agreed to supervise such work.
Grading:  Alternative grades are awarded for this course: S P C D E.
May be repeated:  an unlimited number of times, consult your department for details and possible restrictions.
Usually offered:  Fall, Spring.

PTYS 299H -- Honors Independent Study  (1-5 units)
Description:  Qualified students working on an individual basis with professors who have agreed to supervise such work.
Grading:  Regular grades are awarded for this course: A B C D E.
May be repeated:  an unlimited number of times, consult your department for details and possible restrictions.
Usually offered:  Fall, Spring, Summer.

PTYS 392 -- Directed Research  (1-6 units)
Description:  Individual or small group research under the guidance of faculty.
Grading:  Regular grades are awarded for this course: A B C D E.
May be repeated:  for a total of 12 units of credit.
Usually offered:  Fall, Spring, Summer.

PTYS 395A -- Mercury: Open Questions and New Data  (1 unit)
Temporary course:  offered during Spring 2008 only.
Description:  This colloquium class will focus on reviewing the scientific literature on research of Mercury and discussion of new Messenger data in that context. All aspects of Mercury’s geology and geophysics are open for discussion, although the arrival of the Messenger data during the semester is expected to strongly affect what topics are given most weight.
Grading:  Regular or alternative grades can be awarded for this course: A B C D E or S P C D E.

PTYS 399 -- Independent Study  (1-5 units)
Description:  Qualified students working on an individual basis with professors who have agreed to supervise such work.
Grading:  Alternative grades are awarded for this course: S P C D E.
May be repeated:  for credit 4 times (maximum 5 enrollments).
Usually offered:  Fall, Spring, Summer.

PTYS 399H -- Honors Independent Study  (1-5 units)
Description:  Qualified students working on an individual basis with professors who have agreed to supervise such work.
Grading:  Regular grades are awarded for this course: A B C D E.
May be repeated:  for credit 4 times (maximum 5 enrollments).
Usually offered:  Fall, Spring, Summer.

PTYS 403 -- Physics of the Solar System  (3 units)
Description:  Survey of planetary physics, planetary motions, planetary interiors, geophysics, planetary atmospheres, asteroids, comets, origin of the solar system.
Grading:  Regular grades are awarded for this course: A B C D E.
Prerequisite(s):  PHYS 142 or PHYS 251.
Identical to:  ASTR 403, GEOS 403.
May be convened with:  PTYS 503.
Usually offered:  Spring.

PTYS 407 -- Chemistry of the Solar System  (3 units)
Description:  Abundance, origin, distribution, and chemical behavior of the chemical elements in the Solar System. Emphasis on applications of chemical equilibrium, photochemistry, and mineral phase equilibrium theory.
Grading:  Regular grades are awarded for this course: A B C D E.
Prerequisite(s):  PHYS 132, CHEM 104B, MATH 129 or their equivalents.
Identical to:  CHEM 407.
May be convened with:  PTYS 507.
Usually offered:  Fall.

PTYS 411 -- Geology of the Solar System  (4 units)
Description:  Geologic processes and landforms on satellites and the terrestrial planets, their modification under various planetary environments, and methods of analysis.
Grading:  Regular grades are awarded for this course: A B C D E.
Prerequisite(s):  MATH 129 or equivalent.
Typical structure:  3 hours lecture, 3 hours laboratory.
May be repeated:  for a total of 8 units of credit.
Identical to:  GEOS 411.
May be convened with:  PTYS 511.
Usually offered:  Fall, Spring.

PTYS 418 -- Modern Astronomical Instrumentation and Techniques  (3 units)
Description:  Radiant energy; signals and noise; detectors and techniques for imaging, photometry, polarimetry and spectroscopy. Examples from stellar and planetary astronomy in the x-ray, optical, infrared and radio.
Grading:  Regular grades are awarded for this course: A B C D E. Available to qualified students for Pass/Fail Option.
Identical to:  ASTR 418; ASTR is home department.
May be convened with:  PTYS 518.
Usually offered:  Fall.

PTYS 419 -- Physics of the Earth  (3 units)
Description:  Fundamentals of the physics of the solid earth, including thermodynamics, rheology, geomagnetism, gravity, and plate tectonics.
Grading:  Regular grades are awarded for this course: A B C D E.
Prerequisite(s):  MATH 254.
Identical to:  GEOS 419; GEOS is home department.
May be convened with:  PTYS 519.
Usually offered:  Spring.

PTYS 430 -- The Chemical Evolution of Earth  (3 units)
Description:  [Taught alternate years beginning Fall 2004]. Chemical differentiation and evolution of Earth's mantle and crust according to major-element, trace-element and isotopic characteristics of neodymium, hafnium, strontium, lead and other isotopes.
Grading:  Regular grades are awarded for this course: A B C D E.
Course includes 1 or more field trips.
Prerequisite(s):  GEOS 356 or equivalent undergraduate petrology.
Identical to:  GEOS 430; GEOS is home department.
May be convened with:  PTYS 530.
Usually offered:  Fall.

PTYS 441A -- Dynamic Meteorology  (3 units)
Description:  Thermodynamics and its application to planetary atmospheres, hydrostatics, fundamental concepts and laws of dynamic meteorology.
Grading:  Regular grades are awarded for this course: A B C D E.
Prerequisite(s):  PHYS 426 or consent of instructor.
Identical to:  ATMO 441A; ATMO is home department.
May be convened with:  PTYS 441B.
Usually offered:  Fall.

PTYS 441B -- Dynamic Meteorology  (3 units)
Description:  Thermodynamics and its application to planetary atmospheres, hydrostatics, fundamental concepts and laws of dynamic meteorology.
Grading:  Regular grades are awarded for this course: A B C D E.
Prerequisite(s):  PHYS 426 or consent of instructor.
Identical to:  ATMO 441B; ATMO is home department.
May be convened with:  PTYS 541B.
Usually offered:  Spring.

PTYS 442 -- Mars  (3 units)
Description:  In-depth class about the planet Mars, including origin and evolution, geophysics, geology, atmospheric science, climate change, the search for life, and the history and future of Mars exploration. There will be guest lectures from professors and research scientists with expertise about aspects of Mars. The course will include visits to Mars exploration centers at the UofA and ASU, including the operations center for the Gamma Ray Spectrometer on the Mars Odyssey spacecraft, currently orbiting Mars, and an all-day trip to the Mars Space Flight Facility at Arizona State University, operations center for experiments on the Mars Global Surveyor, Mars Odyssey, and Mars Exploration Rovers. There will be lots of discussion of recent results and scientific controversies about Mars.
Grading:  Regular grades are awarded for this course: A B C D E.
Prerequisite(s):  PTYS 411, Geology of the Solar System is strongly recommended but not required.
Identical to:  ASTR 442, GEOS 442.
May be convened with:  PTYS 542.
Usually offered:  Spring.

PTYS 449 -- Image Processing for Scientific Discovery  (3 units)
Description:  Image processing as a tool for exploration, discovery and analysis in a wide range of subjects. Suitable for both science and non-science majors, as well as pre-service and in-service mathematics and technology teachers.
Grading:  Regular grades are awarded for this course: A B C D E.
May be convened with:  PTYS 549.
Usually offered:  Spring.

PTYS 492 -- Directed Research  (1-6 units)
Description:  Individual or small group research under the guidance of faculty.
Grading:  Regular grades are awarded for this course: A B C D E.
May be repeated:  for a total of 12 units of credit.
Usually offered:  Fall, Spring, Summer.

PTYS 498 -- Senior Capstone  (1-3 units)
Description:  A culminating experience for majors involving a substantive project that demonstrates a synthesis of learning accumulated in the major, including broadly comprehensive knowledge of the discipline and its methodologies. Senior standing required.
Grading:  Regular or alternative grades can be awarded for this course: A B C D E or S P C D E.
Usually offered:  Fall, Spring.

PTYS 499 -- Independent Study  (1-5 units)
Description:  Qualified students working on an individual basis with professors who have agreed to supervise such work.
Grading:  Alternative grades are awarded for this course: S P C D E.
May be repeated:  an unlimited number of times, consult your department for details and possible restrictions.
Usually offered:  Fall, Spring, Summer.

PTYS 499H -- Honors Independent Study  (1-5 units)
Description:  Qualified students working on an individual basis with professors who have agreed to supervise such work.
Grading:  Regular grades are awarded for this course: A B C D E.
May be repeated:  an unlimited number of times, consult your department for details and possible restrictions.
Usually offered:  Fall, Spring, Summer.

PTYS 503 -- Physics of the Solar System  (3 units)
Description:  Survey of planetary physics, planetary motions, planetary interiors, geophysics, planetary atmospheres, asteroids, comets, origin of the solar system. Graduate-level requirements include an in-depth research paper on a selected topic and an oral class presentation.
Grading:  Regular grades are awarded for this course: A B C D E.
Identical to:  GEOS 503, ASTR 503.
May be convened with:  PTYS 403.
Usually offered:  Spring.

PTYS 505A -- Principles of Planetary Physics  (3 units)
Description:  Introductory physics of planetary and interplanetary fluids, plasmas, and solid bodies. Thermodynamics, kinetic theory, fluid dynamics, transport theory, rotational and tidal response theory and orbital mechanics, applied to solar system objects.
Grading:  Regular grades are awarded for this course: A B C D E.
Prerequisite(s):  classical and quantum mechanics at the level of PHYS 151 and PHYS 242.
Usually offered:  Fall, Spring.

PTYS 505B -- Principles of Planetary Physics  (3 units)
Description:  Introductory physics of planetary and interplanetary fluids, plasmas, and solid bodies. Thermodynamics, kinetic theory, fluid dynamics, transport theory, rotational and tidal response theory and orbital mechanics, applied to solar system objects.
Grading:  Regular grades are awarded for this course: A B C D E.
Prerequisite(s):  classical and quantum mechanics at the level of PHYS 151 and PHYS 242.
Usually offered:  Fall, Spring.

PTYS 507 -- Chemistry of the Solar System  (3 units)
Description:  Abundance, origin, distribution, and chemical behavior of the chemical elements in the Solar System. Emphasis on applications of chemical equilibrium, photochemistry, and mineral phase equilibrium theory. Graduate-level requirements include an original research paper or critical review.
Grading:  Regular grades are awarded for this course: A B C D E.
May be convened with:  PTYS 407.
Usually offered:  Fall.

PTYS 510 -- Principles of Cosmochemistry  (3 units)
Description:  Bulk composition of the solar system. Chemical thermodynamics, kinetics, phase equilibria. Application to the differentiation of rocky solar system bodies into metallic cores, silicate mantles, and crusts, oceans and atmospheres.
Grading:  Regular grades are awarded for this course: A B C D E.
Identical to:  GEOS 510.
Usually offered:  Fall.

PTYS 511 -- Geology of the Solar System  (4 units)
Description:  Geologic processes and landforms on satellites and the terrestrial planets, their modification under various planetary environments, and methods of analysis. Graduate-level requirements include an advanced research paper covering some topic in planetary geology with an extensive literature search and evaluation.
Grading:  Regular grades are awarded for this course: A B C D E.
May be repeated:  for a total of 8 units of credit.
Identical to:  GEOS 511.
May be convened with:  PTYS 411.
Usually offered:  Fall, Spring.

PTYS 512 -- Planetary Global Tectonics  (3 units)
Description:  Application of the physics of solid-state deformation to global tectonics of the terrestrial planets and icy moons of the solar system. Modes of topographic support, isostacy and implications for gravity/topography ratios on one-plate planets. Theory of floating elastic plates as an approximation to the lithosphere. Use of seismic data to determine the interior structure and composition and modes of heat conduction in planets.
Grading:  Regular grades are awarded for this course: A B C D E.
Usually offered:  Fall, Spring.

PTYS 517 -- Atmospheres and Remote Sensing  (3 units)
Description:  Structure, composition, and evolution of atmospheres; atomic and molecular spectroscopy; radiative transfer and spectral line formatting.
Grading:  Regular grades are awarded for this course: A B C D E.
Usually offered:  Fall, Spring.

PTYS 518 -- Modern Astronomical Instrumentation and Techniques  (3 units)
Description:  Radiant energy; signals and noise; detectors and techniques for imaging, photometry, polarimetry and spectroscopy. Examples from stellar and planetary astronomy in the x-ray, optical, infrared and radio. Graduate-level requirements include an in-depth research paper.
Grading:  Regular grades are awarded for this course: A B C D E.
Identical to:  ASTR 518; ASTR is home department.
May be convened with:  PTYS 418.
Usually offered:  Fall.

PTYS 519 -- Physics of the Earth  (3 units)
Description:  Fundamentals of the physics of the solid earth, including thermodynamics, rheology, geomagnetism, gravity, and plate tectonics. Graduate-level requirements include a term paper in publication format on some aspect of a major course topic.
Grading:  Regular grades are awarded for this course: A B C D E.
Identical to:  GEOS 519; GEOS is home department.
May be convened with:  PTYS 419.
Usually offered:  Spring.

PTYS 520 -- Meteorites  (3 units)
Description:  Classification; chemical, mineralogical and isotopic composition; cosmic abundances; ages; interaction with solar and cosmic radiation; relation to comets and asteroids.
Grading:  Regular grades are awarded for this course: A B C D E.
Prerequisite(s):  PTYS 510.
Identical to:  GEOS 520.
Usually offered:  Spring.

PTYS 530 -- The Chemical Evolution of Earth  (3 units)
Description:  [Taught alternate years beginning Fall 2004]. Chemical differentiation and evolution of Earth's mantle and crust according to major-element, trace-element and isotopic characteristics of neodymium, hafnium, strontium, lead and other isotopes. Graduate-level requirements will include an additional paper.
Grading:  Regular grades are awarded for this course: A B C D E.
Course includes 1 or more field trips.
Identical to:  GEOS 530; GEOS is home department.
May be convened with:  PTYS 430.
Usually offered:  Fall.

PTYS 537 -- The Physics of the Sun  (3 units)
Description:  The purpose of this course is to present an introduction to the physics of the Sun. The course begins with a discussion of the standard solar model, the solar-neutrino problem, and observational techniques. Long-term variability in the total irradiance, sunspot number, and diameter, and its effect on Earth's climate will be addressed in some detail. Other topics include the physics of the solar interior, solar oscillations, and solar composition. This course will also introduce the equations of magnetohydrodynamics and apply them to important solar-physics problems, such as: the solar magnetic dynamo, stability of prominences, physics of sunspots and flares, and heating of the solar atmosphere. The emphasis throughout will be on basic physical processes and the various approximations used in their application to concrete problems.
Grading:  Regular grades are awarded for this course: A B C D E.
Identical to:  ASTR 537, ATMO 537, PHYS 537.
Usually offered:  Fall.

PTYS 541A -- Dynamic Meteorology  (3 units)
Description:  Thermodynamics and its application to planetary atmospheres, hydrostatics, fundamental concepts and laws of dynamic meteorology. Graduate-level requirements include a more quantitative and thorough understanding of the subject matter.
Grading:  Regular grades are awarded for this course: A B C D E.
Identical to:  ATMO 541A; ATMO is home department.
Usually offered:  Fall.

PTYS 541B -- Dynamic Meteorology  (3 units)
Description:  Thermodynamics and its application to planetary atmospheres, hydrostatics, fundamental concepts and laws of dynamic meteorology. Graduate-level requirements include a more quantitative and thorough understanding of the subject matter.
Grading:  Regular grades are awarded for this course: A B C D E.
Identical to:  ATMO 541B; ATMO is home department.
May be convened with:  PTYS 441B.
Usually offered:  Spring.

PTYS 542 -- Mars  (3 units)
Description:  In-depth class about the planet Mars, including origin and evolution, geophysics, geology, atmospheric science, climate change, the search for life, and the history and future of Mars exploration. There will be guest lectures from professors and research scientists with expertise about aspects of Mars. The course will include visits to Mars exploration centers at the UofA and ASU, including the operations center for the Gamma Ray Spectrometer on the Mars Odyssey spacecraft, currently orbiting Mars, and an all-day trip to the Mars Space Flight Facility at Arizona State University, operations center for experiments on the Mars Global Surveyor, Mars Odyssey, and Mars Exploration Rovers. There will be lots of discussion of recent results and scientific controversies about Mars. Graduate-level requirements include the completion of a research project that will be presented in class as well as a report. The research project could be analysis of Mars datasets, a laboratory experiment, or new theoretical modeling.
Grading:  Regular grades are awarded for this course: A B C D E.
Prerequisite(s):  PTYS 511, Geology of the Solar System is strongly recommended but not required.
Identical to:  ASTR 542, GEOS 542.
May be convened with:  PTYS 442.
Usually offered:  Spring.

PTYS 544 -- Physics of High Atmospheres  (3 units)
Description:  Physical properties of upper atmospheres, including gaseous composition, temperature and density, ozonosphere, and ionospheres, with emphasis on chemical transformations and eddy transport.
Grading:  Regular grades are awarded for this course: A B C D E.
Identical to:  ATMO 544.
Usually offered:  Spring.

PTYS 545 -- Stellar Atmospheres  (3 units)
Description:  Radiative transfer, gray atmosphere, opacity, line formation, non-LTE, curves of growth, stellar hydrodynamics, planetary applications.
Grading:  Regular grades are awarded for this course: A B C D E.
Identical to:  ASTR 545; ASTR is home department.
Usually offered:  Fall.

PTYS 549 -- Image Processing for Scientific Discovery  (3 units)
Description:  Image processing as a tool for exploration, discovery and analysis in a wide range of subjects. Suitable for both science and non-science majors, as well as pre-service and in-service mathematics and technology teachers. Graduate-level students are required to present advanced-level documentation.
Grading:  Regular grades are awarded for this course: A B C D E.
May be convened with:  PTYS 449.
Usually offered:  Spring.

PTYS 553 -- Solar System Dynamics  (3 units)
Description:  Dynamical processes affecting the orbital evolution of planets, asteroids, and satellites, and the rotational evolution of solid bodies. Emphasizes modern nonlinear dynamics and chaos.
Grading:  Regular grades are awarded for this course: A B C D E.
Prerequisite(s):  MATH 254, PHYS 422 or consult department before enrolling.
Identical to:  ASTR 553.
Usually offered:  Spring.

PTYS 554 -- Evolution of Planetary Surfaces  (3 units)
Description:  The geologic processes and evolution of terrestrial planet and satellite surfaces including the Galilean and Saturnian and Uranian satellites. Course includes one or two field trips to Meteor Crater or other locales.
Grading:  Regular grades are awarded for this course: A B C D E.
Identical to:  GEOS 554.
Usually offered:  Spring.

PTYS 558 -- Plasma Physics with Astrophysical and Solar System Applications  (3 units)
Description:  The goal of this course is to present an introduction to fundamental plasma physics and magnetohydrodymics, beginning with kinetic theory. The various important limits including the vlasov equation and magnetohydrodynamics will be derived. Applications will be mostly from astrophysics and the solar system. These will include the main dynamical processes in the solar atmosphere, interplanetary medium, magnetospheres, interstellar medium, blast waves, accretion disks, etc. The emphasis throughout will be on basic physical processes and the various approximations used in their application to concrete problems.
Grading:  Regular grades are awarded for this course: A B C D E.
Identical to:  ASTR 558, PHYS 558.
Usually offered:  Fall.

PTYS 567 -- Inverse Problems in Geophysics  (3 units)
Description:  [Taught alternate years beginning Fall 2005]. Linear and nonlinear inverse theory, including least squares, generalized and maximum likelihood methods.
Grading:  Regular grades are awarded for this course: A B C D E.
Prerequisite(s):  experience with linear algebra recommended.
Identical to:  GEOS 567; GEOS is home department.
Usually offered:  Fall, Spring.

PTYS 571 -- Terrestrial Planets  (3 units)
Description:  Geophysical and geochemical techniques used to deduce composition and evolution of terrestrial planets. Topics include the Earth, Moon, Mars, Venus, and meteorites.
Grading:  Regular grades are awarded for this course: A B C D E.
Prerequisite(s):  PTYS 510, PTYS 554.
Identical to:  GEOS 571.
Usually offered:  Fall.

PTYS 582 -- High Energy Astrophysics  (3 units)
Description:  Radiation mechanisms, synchrotron radiation, charged particle acceleration, pulsars, black holes, accretion disks, X-ray binaries, gamma-ray sources, radio galaxies, active galactic nuclei.
Grading:  Regular grades are awarded for this course: A B C D E.
Identical to:  ASTR 582; ASTR is home department.
Usually offered:  Spring.

PTYS 583 -- Physical Geochemistry  (3 units)
Description:  [Taught alternate years beginning Fall 2004]. Principles of classical and irreversible thermodynamics. Thermo-chemical and -physical properties; equations of states for solids and gases at high pressure; phase equilibrium; multicomponent systems; electrolyte and non-electrolyte solutions; selected applications to petrology, mineralogy, geophysics, geochemistry, and planetary problems.
Grading:  Regular grades are awarded for this course: A B C D E.
Prerequisite(s):  MATH 125; MATH 129 or MATH 124.
Identical to:  GEOS 583; GEOS is home department.
Usually offered:  Fall, Spring.

PTYS 587 -- Nuclear Astrophysics  (3 units)
Description:  A survey of the origin of the elements in stars and the Big Bang. Topics include supernovae and stellar evolution, abundances in meteorites, metal-poor stars, and high-redshift systems, and the nature of the first stars.
Grading:  Regular grades are awarded for this course: A B C D E.
Identical to:  ASTR 587; ASTR is home department.
Usually offered:  Fall.

PTYS 589 -- Topics in Theoretical Astrophysics  (3 units)
Description:  Current topics in theoretical astrophysics in depth, with emphasis on the methodology and techniques of the theorist and the cross-disciplinary nature of astrophysics theory. Example subjects are nuclear astrophysics, hydrodynamics, transient phenomena, planetary interiors and atmospheres, neutron stars, jets and the evolution of star clusters.
Grading:  Regular grades are awarded for this course: A B C D E.
May be repeated:  for credit 1 time (maximum 2 enrollments).
Identical to:  PHYS 589; PHYS is home department.
Usually offered:  Fall.

PTYS 594A -- Planetary Geology Field Studies  (1 unit)
Description:  The practical application, on an individual basis, of previously studied theory and the collection of data for future theoretical interpretation.
Grading:  Alternative grades are awarded for this course: S P C D E.
May be repeated:  for credit 3 times (maximum 4 enrollments).
Usually offered:  Fall, Spring.

PTYS 596F -- Impact Cratering Seminar  (3 units)
Description:  This course offers an in-depth description of the process of Impact Cratering and its application to the terrestrial planets and moons. Principal topics will be: physics of the impact process, geologic structure of individual craters, statistics of cratered landscapes, impact cratering and solar system evolution (origin of the planets, origin of the moon, early evolution of the Earth and planets), impacts and Earth history (K/T impact, biologic extinctions), Impacts and the ejection meteorites from major planets. Course work will include a hands-on exercise in impact modeling using numerical methods. Text: Impact Cratering: A Geologic Process (available in PDF format).
Grading:  Regular or alternative grades can be awarded for this course: A B C D E or S P C D E.
Usually offered:  Spring.

PTYS 597A -- Microsatellite Workshop  (1-6 units)
Description:  Practical application of theoretical learning within a group setting involving an exchange of ideas, practical methods, skills and principles.Section one will be applied to the UA microsatellite program.
Grading:  Regular grades are awarded for this course: A B C D E.
May be repeated:  for credit 3 times (maximum 4 enrollments).
Usually offered:  Fall, Spring, Summer.

PTYS 599 -- Independent Study  (1-5 units)
Description:  Qualified students working on an individual basis with professors who have agreed to supervise such work. Graduate students doing independent work which cannot be classified as actual research will register for credit under course number 599, 699, or 799.
Grading:  Alternative grades are awarded for this course: S P C D E.
May be repeated:  an unlimited number of times, consult your department for details and possible restrictions.
Usually offered:  Fall, Spring, Summer.

PTYS 656A -- Atmospheric Radiation and Remote Sensing  (3 units)
Description:  Theory of atmospheric radiative transfer processes; specific methods for solving the relevant equations; applications to problems in radiative transfer; theoretical basis for remote sensing from the ground and from space; solutions to the "inverse" problem.
Grading:  Regular grades are awarded for this course: A B C D E.
Prerequisite(s):  MATH 254.
Identical to:  ATMO 656A; ATMO is home department.
Usually offered:  Fall.

PTYS 697A -- Microsatellite Workshop  (1-6 units)
Description:  Practical application of theoretical learning within a group setting involving an exchange of ideas, practical methods, skills and principles.Section one will be applied to the UA microsatellite program.
Grading:  Regular grades are awarded for this course: A B C D E.
May be repeated:  for credit 3 times (maximum 4 enrollments).
Usually offered:  Fall, Spring, Summer.

PTYS 699 -- Independent Study  (1-5 units)
Description:  Qualified students working on an individual basis with professors who have agreed to supervise such work. Graduate students doing independent work which cannot be classified as actual research will register for credit under course number 599, 699, or 799.
Grading:  Alternative grades are awarded for this course: S P C D E.
May be repeated:  an unlimited number of times, consult your department for details and possible restrictions.
Usually offered:  Fall, Spring, Summer.

PTYS 900 -- Research  (1-8 units)
Description:  Individual research, not related to thesis or dissertation preparation, by graduate students.
Grading:  Alternative grades are awarded for this course: S P C D E K.
May be repeated:  an unlimited number of times, consult your department for details and possible restrictions.
Usually offered:  Fall, Spring, Summer.

PTYS 909 -- Master's Report  (3-6 units)
Description:  Individual study or special project or formal report thereof submitted in lieu of thesis for certain master's degrees.
Grading:  Alternative grades are awarded for this course: S P E K.
May be repeated:  an unlimited number of times, consult your department for details and possible restrictions.
Usually offered:  Fall, Spring, Summer.

PTYS 910 -- Thesis  (2-4 units)
Description:  Research for the master's thesis (whether library research, laboratory or field observation or research, artistic creation, or thesis writing). Maximum total credit permitted varies with the major department.
Grading:  Alternative grades are awarded for this course: S P E K.
May be repeated:  an unlimited number of times, consult your department for details and possible restrictions.
Usually offered:  Fall, Spring, Summer.

PTYS 920 -- Dissertation  (1-9 units)
Description:  Research for the doctoral dissertation (whether library research, laboratory or field observation or research, artistic creation, or dissertation writing).
Grading:  Alternative grades are awarded for this course: S P E K.
May be repeated:  an unlimited number of times, consult your department for details and possible restrictions.
Usually offered:  Fall, Spring, Summer.

PTYS 930 -- Supplementary Registration  (1-9 units)
Description:  For students who have completed all course requirements for their advanced degree programs. May be used concurrently with other enrollments to bring to total number of units to the required minimum.
Grading:  Grade of K is awarded for this course except for the final term.
May be repeated:  an unlimited number of times, consult your department for details and possible restrictions.
Usually offered:  Fall, Spring, Summer.