Maria Valdes

About 9 billion years after the Big Bang, our Solar System's sun ignited from the gravitational collapse of a molecular cloud. This course explores the 4.6 billion years of subsequent chemical evolution of the Solar System. Our tool of study, cosmochemistry, lies at the crossroads of chemistry, physics, geology, astronomy, and biology. As such, we can use it to help us answer some fundamental questions, including: What are the elemental and molecular building blocks of our Solar System? Under what conditions, and by which processes, did these building blocks assemble into planets, asteroids, moons, comets, meteorites, and interstellar dust? What is the Earth made of, how did it evolve over time, and why do we need to study extraterrestrial materials to understand our home planet? Where did water come from and what led to the rise of life on Earth? How can we use this knowledge to guide future space exploration?

Formerly called: The Universe (SCIENCE 3212) - students cannot receive credit for this course if they have already received credit for The Universe (SCIENCE 3212)

About 9 billion years after the Big Bang, our Solar System's sun ignited from the gravitational collapse of a molecular cloud. This course explores the 4.6 billion years of subsequent chemical evolution of the Solar System. Our tool of study, cosmochemistry, lies at the crossroads of chemistry, physics, geology, astronomy, and biology. As such, we can use it to help us answer some fundamental questions, including: What are the elemental and molecular building blocks of our Solar System? Under what conditions, and by which processes, did these building blocks assemble into planets, asteroids, moons, comets, meteorites, and interstellar dust? What is the Earth made of, how did it evolve over time, and why do we need to study extraterrestrial materials to understand our home planet? Where did water come from and what led to the rise of life on Earth? How can we use this knowledge to guide future space exploration?

Formerly called: The Universe (SCIENCE 3212) - students cannot receive credit for this course if they have already received credit for The Universe (SCIENCE 3212)

About 9 billion years after the Big Bang, our Solar System's sun ignited from the gravitational collapse of a molecular cloud. This course explores the 4.6 billion years of subsequent chemical evolution of the Solar System. Our tool of study, cosmochemistry, lies at the crossroads of chemistry, physics, geology, astronomy, and biology. As such, we can use it to help us answer some fundamental questions, including: What are the elemental and molecular building blocks of our Solar System? Under what conditions, and by which processes, did these building blocks assemble into planets, asteroids, moons, comets, meteorites, and interstellar dust? What is the Earth made of, how did it evolve over time, and why do we need to study extraterrestrial materials to understand our home planet? Where did water come from and what led to the rise of life on Earth? How can we use this knowledge to guide future space exploration?

Formerly called: The Universe (SCIENCE 3212) - students cannot receive credit for this course if they have already received credit for The Universe (SCIENCE 3212)

This course on the Geochemistry and Exploration of the Moon focuses on the geological and geochemical evolution of the Moon, with particular attention to the samples returned by the Apollo missions and their role in shaping our understanding of lunar history. Students will explore the composition of lunar rocks, soils, and regolith, examining key features such as isotopic compositions, mineralogy, and the processes that formed the Moon¿s surface. The course will delve into the methods used to analyze these samples, including spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, and electron microscopy, while also considering the implications of recent findings from the Artemis missions. We will discuss how lunar geochemistry informs our understanding of planetary formation and the broader processes of the solar system. In addition to the scientific content, the course will explore how lunar materials have inspired artistic interpretations of space. By the end of the course, students will gain a comprehensive understanding of lunar geology and geochemistry, and the ongoing exploration of the Moon. This course will incorporate a variety of texts and media, including scanned readings from textbooks, scientific journal publications, documentaries, interviews, mission transcripts, meteorite samples, and NASA data archives. The coursework will consist of weekly homework assignments, two lab exercises, a midterm exam, and a final art project that encourages students to synthesize scientific concepts with creative expression.

This course on Mineralogy and Gemology provides a detailed scientific exploration of minerals, their structures, properties, and classification, with a particular emphasis on their geological processes. Students will study the chemical composition, crystallography, and physical characteristics of minerals, learning how to identify and classify them in the lab. The course will cover the processes of mineral formation, the environments in which they occur, and the tools and techniques used for their analysis. A portion of the course will also focus on the properties of gemstones, such as color, clarity, and hardness, and the geological conditions that create these precious materials. Throughout, students will learn to apply scientific principles to the study of minerals, while also considering the cultural significance and aesthetic appeal of gemstones. By the end of the course, students will have a comprehensive understanding of mineralogy and the role of gemstones in both science and art, gaining hands-on experience with mineral identification and analysis. This course will incorporate a variety of texts and media, including scanned readings from textbooks, scientific journal publications, museum collection catalogs, high-resolution mineral imaging, and documentary films on mineral formation and gemstone trade. The coursework will consist of weekly microscopy-based lab exercises, 3-5 homework assignments, a midterm exam, and a final art project that encourages students to creatively engage with the scientific and cultural aspects of minerals and gemstones.