Think we鈥檒l ever live鈥攐r even vacation鈥攐n the moon? Do you believe in that 鈥渇ace鈥 on Mars or life on other planets? A major in planetary science will touch on these issues鈥攁nd then take your studies much, much farther. Needless to say, you鈥檒l distinguish the planets by their properties, sizes, and unique characteristics. You鈥檒l learn how each was formed鈥攆rom its surface to is interior to its inner core鈥攁nd you鈥檒l study the processes that continue to change them. You鈥檒l compare and contrast the planets and study how the changes on one planet affect the others. And you鈥檒l explore the universe鈥檚 physics, chemistry, and geology. Planetary atmospheres, satellites, orbital mechanics, asteroids and comets, and the very evolution of the solar system will give you and your colleagues a fair amount to ponder.
You鈥檒l also address some pretty big questions throughout your planetary science major, such as Where did we come from and where are we going? What has happened to our planet over the past billions of years, and what will happen to it in the future? What will the effects be of our actions today? You鈥檒l examine how our own planet fits into the solar system and how changes in the universe affect us. (Sort of bizarre to think about, isn鈥檛 it?) You鈥檒l learn about the ways in which we鈥檝e explored the solar system in the past and the advancements being made for further鈥攁nd more elaborate鈥攅xploration. And when someone calls you a 鈥渟pace cadet,鈥 you鈥檒l start to lift your chin and stand proud.
Planetary science is an interdisciplinary major, and your studies will involve geology, physics, chemistry, astronomy, biology, oceanography, and many other sciences.
Astronomy
Differential Calculus
Earth Materials
Earth Physics
Earth System History
Evolution of a Habitable World
Fluid Earth Processes
Geochemistry
Geophysics
Oceans and Atmospheres
Origin of the Universe
Physics
Planetary Physics
Science of Life Beyond Earth
Solar System Physics
To prepare for a major in planetary science, take courses in physics, chemistry, biology, calculus, and any other challenging science and math courses your school offers. Be sure to take a selection of humanities courses as well, including English, history, and languages. A math and science background will be a big help once you begin your major.
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