Learning objectives: Students who complete the module become familiar with basic skills in the execution and development of numerical models, which are needed in practical applications in geophysics and planetology. They are able to derive various internal structures of planetary bodies based on their knowledge of the inner solar system. They understand the physical equations for the thermal evolution of a planetary body and are able to implement them using parameterized, one-dimensional models. Using two-dimensional numerical codes, they are able to model the convection of the rock mantle and assess its influence on the evolution of planetary bodies and discuss the results in a scientifically sound manner.

Content: Students learn the elementary physical equations for heat transport by convection and conduction, the rheology of the mantle, the material properties and the interior structure models of various planets and moons. By means of exercises they address the basics of numerical modeling, a complementary field. In addition, they apply mathematical and physical principles, develop simple 1D conduction models, derive material properties for various Earth minerals, run and fit an internal structure model for Earth-like planets, and run convection codes.