Course Outline

THE UNIVERSITY OF WESTERN ONTARIO
PLANETARY SCIENCE PROGRAM
Plan. Sci. 9762 - Planetary Image Interpretation
Fall 2016

COURSE DESCRIPTION
This course is intended to provide experience with the acquisition of planetary map and image data from NASA and other sources, and with the interpretation of these images in a geological context. Although it deals with geology, only basic principles are involved and no background in Earth Sciences is required. It also deals with the planets, but no background in astronomy is is required. Necessary background will be provided in the readings. This is intended to make the course equally accessible to students from Physics and Astronomy and Earth Sciences, the two sides of a Planetary Science program. By the end of the course students should be able to describe the geological history and surface processes involved in the formation of a planetary landscape seen in an image, and plan a realistic rover mission to that area.

INSTRUCTOR: Dr. Philip J. Stooke, room 2425 SSC
Phone: 661-2111 ext. 85022
(NOTE: please do not leave voice messages on that number. If I don't answer, it's much better to send an email)

e-mail: pjstooke@uwo.ca
website: publish.uwo.ca/~pjstooke

INSTRUCTOR OFFICE HOURS: Monday to Thursday, each day, 11:00 to 12:00 in the MAP AND DATA CENTRE, Weldon Library (LOCATION) , or by appointment, or just drop by my real office (SSC 2425) any time (best days - Tuesday to Thursday). NOTE: Because those office hours are held in the Weldon Library, you can not reach me on my office phone during those times.

CLASS TIME - To be determined at the start of term, chosen to suit everybody. NOTE: The first meeting will be in the MAP AND DATA CENTRE, Weldon Library, at a time chosen to suit everybody.

READINGS: There is no textbook for this course. Readings may be assigned, and if so will be placed on reserve in the Taylor Library.

EVALUATION: The final mark is the sum of marks for the assignments listed in the schedule. Final grades may be modified to conform with Faculty or Program policy.

If assignment due dates are missed, whether due to illness or any other factor, they must be made up during the remainder of the term on a schedule agreed by the student and instructor. For UWO Policy on Accommodation for Medical Illness and a downloadable SMC see: Medical Accommodation

For a downloadable Student Medical Certificate (SMC) see: Student Services under the Medical Documentation heading

ACCESSIBILITY STATEMENT:
Please contact the course instructor if you require material in an alternate format or if you require any other arrangements to make this course more accessible to you. You may also wish to contact Services for Students with Disabilities (SSD) at 661-2111 x 82147 for any specific question regarding an accommodation.

PREREQUISITE CHECKING:
It is the student's responsibility to ensure that prerequisite courses have been passed prior to registration in this course. Unless you have either the requisites for this course or written special permission from your Dean to enroll in it, you may be removed from this course and it will be deleted from your record. This decision may not be appealed. You will receive no adjustment to your fees in the event that you are dropped from a course for failing to have the necessary prerequisites.

PLAGIARISM:
Scholastic offences are taken seriously and students are directed to read the appropriate policy, specifically, the definition of what constitutes a Scholastic Offence, at the following Web site:

http://www.westerncalendar.uwo.ca/2013/pg113.html

All work you hand in must be your own. You may seek advice from other students regarding design, techniques or software operations, but you must not share or duplicate map files, including base maps. This includes finding another student's saved file on a computer, making minor modifications, and passing the work off as your own. Any offence will trigger the procedure outlined on the linked document.

SUPPORT SERVICES FOR STUDENTS:
Registrar's Services
Student Development Services

Students who are in emotional/mental distress should refer to mentalhealth@western for a complete list of options about how to obtain help.