Planetary Science 9605
PlanetSci 9605: Planetary Surface Processes Field School
Location: Arizona, Utah, Nevada - USA
Instructor: Gordon Osinski gosinski@uwo.ca
Dates: May 5 - May 17, 2026
Note: a 3-hour introductory lecture will be held in February 2026 (date to be decided upon in discussion with registered students) and one of the main assignments (see course outline) must be completed prior to the field school.
Field study of the geology and biology of various Moon/Mars analogue sites in North America. The main focus of the course will be an 13-day residential field experience examining various localities in northern Arizona and southern Utah, to take place in late April/early May. This region of the southwestern United States is a world-renowned environment for comparative planetology; the Apollo astronauts were trained there in the 1960’s and 1970’s. Field stops will focus on meteorite impact cratering (e.g., Meteor Crater, AZ; Upheaval Dome crater, UT), volcanism (e.g., Sunset Crater volcanic field, AZ), and canyon and valley formation (e.g., Canyonlands National Park, UT). Many of the locations to be visited are considered world-class terrestrial analogues for the Moon and Mars, such as Meteor Crater: the best-preserved meteorite impact crater on Earth. The goal of this course is to provide students with an interdisciplinary field studies experience with an emphasis on comparative planetology through the study of terrestrial analogues. Terrestrial analogues are places on Earth that approximate the geological and environmental conditions on the Moon, Mars and other planetary bodies, either at the present-day or in the past. This course will introduce students from a wide range of backgrounds to various aspects of planetary science, with an emphasis on planetary surface processes. The topics of astrobiology and planetary materials will also be integrated into this field program.
*Cross-listed with the EarthSci 4001Y undergraduate course.
Click here to view the course syllabus
Fees and Registration:
- For questions regarding registration/fees please contact Academic Program Coordinator askearthsci@uwo.ca All fees will be collected electronically via the ES Store website
- Deposits are due by: December 15, 2025
- Final Payments are due by: February 1, 2026
Click here to make a payment.
For a Western Graduate Student:
This is a summer term course so you won't be able to officially enroll until April. Until this time and to secure a place, the payment of the deposit (see below) will be considered registration in the course.
The cost for this course is $1,400. A $500 deposit is required by December 15, 2025.
The price includes all accommodation, vehicle rental, park access, course material costs, and evening meals, but does not include flights to Las Vegas. Students are expected to make their own way to Las Vegas to be ready to depart at 12:30 pm on May 05 2026. The full amount is payable by February 01 2026.
Ways to Off-Set Cost for Western Students
A limited number of $1000-2000 scholarships are available to students through the Global Opportunities Awards program.
Students within the Collaborative Specialization in Planetary Science and Exploration can also apply for support from the Institute for Earth and Space Exploration's experiential learning opportunity. There are 4 deadlines per year. Please see this link for details: https://space.uwo.ca/training/experiental-learning-opps/index.html
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For a Graduate Student at another Ontario University:
Students at other Ontario universities are welcome on this course if there is sufficient space: please contact the course instructor to discuss before registering. The payment of the deposit will be considered registration in the course.
The cost for this course is $1,400. A $500 deposit is required by December 15, 2025.
The Ontario Visiting Graduate Student Plan allows a graduate student registered at a university in Ontario (Home University) to take graduate courses at Western (Host University) without completing further admission formalities. Interested students must complete an Ontario Visiting Graduate Student Application available at their current university and return it to their home department for approval.
The price includes all accommodation, vehicle rental, park access, course material costs, and evening meals, but does not include flights to Las Vegas. Students are expected to make their own way to Las Vegas to be
ready to depart at 12:30 pm on May 5, 2026. The full amount is payable by February 1, 2026.
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For Graduate Student at another non-Ontario University:
Students at other Canadian or international universities are welcome on this course if there is sufficient space: please contact the course instructor to discuss before registering. The payment of the deposit will be considered registration in the course.
The cost for this course is $1,750. A $500 deposit is required by December 15, 2025.
The price includes all accommodation, vehicle rental, park access, course material costs, and evening meals, but does not include flights to Las Vegas. Students are expected to make their own way to Las Vegas to be
ready to depart at 12:30 pm on May 05 2026. The full amount is payable by February 1, 2026.
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For Professionals:
The cost for this course is $2,750. A $500 deposit is required by December 15, 2025.
The price includes all accommodation, vehicle rental, park access, course material costs, and evening meals, but does not include flights to Las Vegas. Participants are expected to make their own way to Las Vegas to be
ready to depart at 12:30 pm on May 05 2026. The full amount is payable by February 1, 2026.
Click here to make a payment.
Photos from the Field
