EESC 1177 Cosmos
Open to all students.. There are more than a dozen interplanetary probes from numerous countries that are currently collecting data from several planetary bodies in the Solar System. These exploration missions are expanding knowledge of our Solar System, which is mostly built on only about half a century of space exploration. We will discuss these space missions and their scientific goals and results, which are increasingly oriented to answer questions on planetary evolution and the possibility of extraterrestrial biospheres. Throughout this course, the fundamentals of how science works will be emphasized. If weather permits, there might also be outdoor lectures for star-gazing opportunities.
Course overview
- Department
- Earth and Environmental Sciences
- School
- MCAS
- Credits
- 3
- Level
- Undergraduate
- Offered
- Every Spring
Catalog details
- Satisfies core
- Natural Science
Requirements fulfilled
- University Core: Natural Science (All undergraduates)
Course evaluations
- Course rating
- 3.78 / 5 · Very Good
- Instructor rating
- 4.12 / 5 · Very Good
- Terms evaluated
- 4
| Term | Instructor | Course overall | Instructor overall | Well organized | Clear learning objectives | Intellectually challenging | Helpful assignments | Applicable beyond course | Attendance necessary | Weekly effort | Responses |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring 2026 | Thomas Kuchar | 4.0 | 4.2 | 4.5 | 4.5 | 4.4 | 4.4 | 4.0 | 4.1 | 1–3 hrs/week | 107 of 131 |
| Spring 2025 | Thomas Kuchar | 3.8 | 4.2 | 4.5 | 4.4 | 4.5 | 4.3 | 3.8 | 4.2 | 1–3 hrs/week | 107 of 133 |
| Spring 2024 | Thomas Kuchar | 3.7 | 4.1 | 4.5 | 4.4 | 4.5 | 4.2 | 4.0 | 4.3 | 1–3 hrs/week | 107 of 125 |
| Spring 2022 | Thomas Kuchar | 3.5 | 4.0 | 4.5 | 4.2 | 4.2 | 4.2 | 3.5 | 4.2 | 1–3 hrs/week | 58 of 123 |