Gwybodaeth Modiwlau

Module Identifier
PHM4720
Module Title
Advanced Planetary Exploration
Academic Year
2025/2026
Co-ordinator
Semester
Semester 1
Pre-Requisite
As defined by MSc course requirements
Reading List

Course Delivery

 

Assessment

Assessment Type Assessment length / details Proportion
Semester Assessment Written reports  For each of the 4 themes, students submit a report of 1000 words (not including references) - total 4 reports of 1000 words each. 4000 Words  80%
Semester Assessment Presentation  End of term individual presentations, based on one of the 4 themes studied during the module. 15 Minutes  20%
Supplementary Assessment Resit failed components  Resit failed components  100%

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this module students should be able to:

1. Undertake self study and original research of relevant science areas

2. Identify research and applications problems in Solar-System Physics and Planetary Exploration and the appropriate methodologies to address and solve them;

3. Demonstrate knowledge, and be able to critically review, current research issues in Solar-System Physics and Planetary Exploration from space;

4. Demonstrate mastery of research software and/or instrumentation used in Solar-System Physics and Planetary Exploration.

Brief description

The module draws on the breadth of experience in Solar-System Physics and planetary exploration available within the Faculty of Business and Physical Sciences by exposing the students to a series of workshops. Out of a range of themes, four will be taught in any given year. The themes are intended to reflect the dynamic of the Faculty's evolving research interests. Where possible, external speakers will be brought in to supplement the department's expertise.

Aims

The aims of this module are to :
- provide students with a thorough grounding in physics/astronomy topics that are central to becoming space engineers
- cover a wide range of skills that are crucial to success in the field of space engineering
- enable students to communicate and discuss key topics in the field

Content

Themes may include, but are not limited to:

• Investigating atmospheres from space
• Exploring the surfaces of planets and other solar system objects
• Probing the solar atmosphere using direct measurements and remote sensing
• Space weather and the space environment
• Software for space instrument design and data analysis
Each workshop will have a different assessment which will be devised by the academic leading the workshop.

Module Skills

Skills Type Skills details
Creative Problem Solving Solving of a wide range of problems in the field of space exploration
Digital capability Programming skills, including software packages used in space engineering.
Professional communication Preparation and delivery of a short presentation to peers and staff, and written reports for each of the 4 themes.
Subject Specific Skills Applying mathematical, experimental, or software solutions in a space exploration context.

Notes

This module is at CQFW Level 7