Phase Transitions in the Earth's Interior OpenCourseWare: A Free MIT Graduate Study Geology Course

Published Jan 15, 2009

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Explore some of the main causes of seismic discontinuities within the Earth with 'Phase Transitions in the Earth's Interior,' which is a geology course offered as free OpenCourseWare by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). This free, graduate-level online course will survey various research data pertaining to phase transitions as they apply to the Earth's mantle and core. Students in pursuit of a Master of Science in Earth Science will find this course helpful.

Phase Transitions in the Earth's Interior: Course Specifics

Degree Level Free Audio Video Downloads
Graduate Yes No No Yes

Lectures/Notes Study Materials Tests/Quizzes
Yes Yes No

Phase Transitions in the Earth's Interior: Course Description

This course covers how chemical reactions deep within the Earth occur continuously. This course also covers how advanced and detailed research of these reactions has become. This OpenCourseWare explores phase transitions by analyzing studies specific to seismology and geodynamics. An in-depth look at polymorphic transitions of various silicates within the mantle will be provided. This angle of study covers the depths and the Clapeyron slopes of these transitions. Professor Sang-heon Shim leads students through these topics with an extensive list of background reading material. This OpenCourseWare includes project assignments by former students of the on-campus course. These sample projects illustrate topics highlighted in the reading list while demonstrating a variety of perspectives. This course is offered at the graduate-level by MIT's Earth, Atmospheric and Planetary Sciences Department and aids Geology majors preparing for a post-baccalaureate stage in their education.

The reading list and sample student projects are provided for free online. Anyone interested in this OpenCourseWare should visit the phase transitions home page.

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