Learn about the science behind the current exploration of the solar system in this free class. Use principles from physics, chemistry, biology, and geology to understand the latest from Mars, comprehend the outer solar system, ponder planets outside our solar system, and search for habitability in our neighborhood and beyond. This course is generally taught at an advanced level assuming a prior knowledge of undergraduate math and physics, but the majority of the concepts and lectures can be understood without these prerequisites. The quizzes and final exam are designed to make you think critically about the material you have learned rather than to simply make you memorize facts. The class is expected to be challenging but rewarding.
Offered By
The Science of the Solar System
CaltechAbout this Course
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Learner Career Outcomes
20%
got a tangible career benefit from this course
Shareable Certificate
Earn a Certificate upon completion
100% online
Start instantly and learn at your own schedule.
Flexible deadlines
Reset deadlines in accordance to your schedule.
Approx. 30 hours to complete
English
Subtitles: Arabic, French, Portuguese (European), Italian, Vietnamese, German, Russian, English, Spanish
Skills you will gain
Solar SystemsChemistryGeologyAstrobiology
Learner Career Outcomes
20%
got a tangible career benefit from this course
Shareable Certificate
Earn a Certificate upon completion
100% online
Start instantly and learn at your own schedule.
Flexible deadlines
Reset deadlines in accordance to your schedule.
Approx. 30 hours to complete
English
Subtitles: Arabic, French, Portuguese (European), Italian, Vietnamese, German, Russian, English, Spanish
Offered by
Caltech
Caltech is a world-renowned science and engineering research and education institution, where extraordinary faculty and students seek answers to complex questions, discover new knowledge, lead innovation, and transform our future. Caltech's mission is to expand human knowledge and benefit society through research integrated with education. We investigate the most challenging, fundamental problems in science and technology in a singularly collegial, interdisciplinary atmosphere, while educating outstanding students to become creative members of society.
Syllabus - What you will learn from this course
3 hours to complete
Unit 1: Water on Mars (week 1)
3 hours to complete
11 videos (Total 133 min), 1 reading, 1 quiz
3 hours to complete
Unit 1: Water on Mars (week 2)
3 hours to complete
10 videos (Total 142 min)
3 hours to complete
Unit 1: Water on Mars (week 3)
3 hours to complete
10 videos (Total 141 min), 1 reading, 1 quiz
3 hours to complete
Unit 2: The insides of giant planets (week 1)
3 hours to complete
11 videos (Total 114 min), 1 reading, 1 quiz
Reviews
TOP REVIEWS FROM THE SCIENCE OF THE SOLAR SYSTEM
by CEMar 3, 2020
Learning facilitated by good lecturing, well prepared lectures and excellent quizzes. Lecturer Mike Brown, enthusiastic about his subject, generous in sharing his knowledge, humorous, and honest.
by MBJul 3, 2020
Although the course itself was very informative, sometimes there were a problems with sound. Also explanation of some topics was a bit unclear, so I had to dig through google to understand it.
by GNNov 28, 2017
Challenging. Amazing. Mind-Blowing. Space enthusiasts should totally do this course. And yeah, did I say that Mike Brown is the coolest teacher ever. Never a dull moment in the lectures. :)
by PKMay 24, 2019
The lectures are engaging and replete with thought provoking material. Professor Brown's in depth knowledge of the field and his passion for planetary science aroused an everlasting curiosity.
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