Active investigations span the fields of planet formation, geophysics, surface processes, meteoritics, extra-solar planetary systems, and astrobiology.
The following list of courses is suggested for incoming students interested in planetary sciences, and a subset of these courses may also be useful for students in other groups who are interested in pursuing interdisciplinary connections. Students should consult an advising faculty member to develop a course plan that best suits their needs.
Proposed Curriculum
- EPS 206 Solid Earth Geochemistry and Cosmochemistry: A Primer
- EPS 220 A Survey of Planetary Sciences
- EPS 237 Planetary Radiation and Climate
- EPS 240 Isotopes and Trace Element Geochemistry and Geochronology
- EPS 241 Isotope Geochemistry and Processes of Planetary Evolution
- EPS 243 Geochemical and Cosmochemical Thermodynamics
- EPS 252 Global Geophysics: A Primer
- EPS 258 Giant Planets
- EPS 264 Planetary Magnetism and Dynamo Theory
Faculty
Typical undergraduate backgrounds for students are listed in parenthesis.
- Jeremy Bloxham: Planetary magnetic fields, dynamo theory, structure and dynamics of the earth's core and lower mantle, inverse theory, mathematical geophysics (applied math, geophysics, physics)
- Rebecca Fischer: Accretion, core formation, and composition of the deep interiors of Earth and other terrestrial planets; high-pressure, high-temperature mineral physics experiments with planetary-scale modeling (solid earth geophysics and geochemistry, planetary science, physics, chemistry, computer science, applied math)
- Roger Fu: Formation and interior evolution of the Earth and other planetary bodies; paleomagnetism; geodynamical modeling (physics, geology, astronomy, applied math, lab electronics)
- Stein B. Jacobsen: Isotope and trace element geochemistry, chemical evolution of earth's crust-mantle system, isotopic and chemical evolution of sea water, accretion and early differentiation of the Earth, cosmochemistry, meteorites (chemistry, geology)
- Andrew H. Knoll: Paleontology and sedimentary geology, astrobiology, Mars Exploration Rovers (biology)
- Jerry Mitrovica: Ice age geodynamics, plate tectonics, mantle dynamics and structure, paleo- and modern climate, sea level change, planetary rotation, space geodesy (applied math, geology, geophysics, physics)
- Daniel Schrag: Evolution of the Martian climate, geochemical oceanography (chemistry, geology, physics)
- Robin Wordsworth: Theoretical and numerical modelling of planetary climate; paleoclimates of Earth and Mars, exoplanet atmospheric composition and habitability, radiative transfer, geophysical fluid dynamics
Learn more about Planetary Sciences at Harvard:
See also: Planetary Sciences