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31600-01 - Practical course: Planetary Surface Exploration (4 CP)
| Semester | spring semester 2026 |
| Course frequency | Every spring sem. |
| Lecturers |
Tomaso Bontognali (tomaso.bontognali@unibas.ch, Assessor)
Nikolaus J. Kuhn (nikolaus.kuhn@unibas.ch) |
| Content | The course aims to acquaint students with the collaborative and multidisciplinary approach required for planning and executing robotic missions on the surfaces of Mars and the Moon, with an emphasis on the search for life on Mars. It will consist of three parts: first, presentations on planetary geology, astrobiology, and robotic exploration by lecturers and students to get a basic knowledge of the topic; second a practical component in which participants will design and conduct a simplified simulated robotic Mars mission. The final part will involve an introduction to designing simulations for planetary exploration in the Marslabor of the Uni Basel. |
| Learning objectives | This comprehensive course aims to introduce students to planetary science and astrobiology, focusing on mission concepts and surface exploration of Mars with rovers based on ESA's ExoMars mission and the activities in the University of Basel’s Marslabor. |
| Bibliography | Sween et al. 2019. Planetary Geoscience |
| Comments | Language: German and English Online participation is possible if agreed on by instructors. This course corresponds to the former “Research in Physical Geography” course. |
| Weblink | Physiogeographie und Umweltwandel |
| Admission requirements | Basics of geomorphology, geology, biology or by arrangement. Maximum of 10 participants, whereby attention is paid to a balanced composition of the group in terms of previous knowledge. |
| Language of instruction | English |
| Use of digital media | No specific media used |
| Interval | Weekday | Time | Room |
|---|---|---|---|
| wöchentlich | Thursday | 09.15-12.00 | Geographie |
| Comments | Online participation is possible if agreed on by instructors |
Dates
| Date | Time | Room |
|---|---|---|
| Thursday 19.02.2026 | 09.15-12.00 | Geographie, -- |
| Thursday 26.02.2026 | 09.15-12.00 | Fasnachtsferien |
| Thursday 05.03.2026 | 09.15-12.00 | Geographie, -- |
| Thursday 12.03.2026 | 09.15-12.00 | Geographie, -- |
| Thursday 19.03.2026 | 09.15-12.00 | Geographie, -- |
| Thursday 26.03.2026 | 09.15-12.00 | Geographie, -- |
| Thursday 02.04.2026 | 09.15-12.00 | Ostern |
| Thursday 09.04.2026 | 09.15-12.00 | Geographie, -- |
| Thursday 16.04.2026 | 09.15-12.00 | Geographie, -- |
| Thursday 23.04.2026 | 09.15-12.00 | Geographie, -- |
| Thursday 30.04.2026 | 09.15-12.00 | Geographie, -- |
| Thursday 07.05.2026 | 09.15-12.00 | Geographie, -- |
| Thursday 14.05.2026 | 09.15-12.00 | Auffahrt |
| Thursday 21.05.2026 | 09.15-12.00 | Geographie, -- |
| Thursday 28.05.2026 | 09.15-12.00 | Geographie, -- |
| Modules |
Doctorate Botany: Recommendations (PhD subject: Botany) Doctorate Environmental Sciences: Recommendations (PhD subject: Environmental Sciences) Doctorate Geography: Recommendations (PhD subject: Geography) Doctorate Geosciences: Recommendations (PhD subject: Geosciences) Doctorate Zoology: Recommendations (PhD subject: Zoology) Geography: Recommendations (PhD subject: Geography) Modul: Geographische Methoden- und Forschungskompetenz (Master's degree subject: Geography) Module: Landscape Systems (Master's Studies: Geosciences) |
| Assessment format | continuous assessment |
| Assessment details | Students will be expected to participate actively in all aspects of the course, including the preparation of a final report of ca. 3,000 words. |
| Assessment registration/deregistration | Reg.: course registration, dereg: cancel course registration |
| Repeat examination | no repeat examination |
| Scale | 1-6 0,5 |
| Repeated registration | as often as necessary |
| Responsible faculty | Faculty of Science, studiendekanat-philnat@unibas.ch |
| Offered by | Geowissenschaften |