This course provides a comprehensive introduction to radar sounding techniques used to probe subsurface structures on Earth, ice  sheets, and planetary bodies.
Students will learn how electromagnetic waves interact with different materials, how to design and interpret radar sounding experiments, and how to process and analyze radar data. The course bridges engineering fundamentals with Earth and planetary science applications, preparing students to work with data from sounding radar instruments onboard planetary missions (e.g. SHARAD, MARSIS, REASON, etc.), Earth-orbiting and planetary altimeters (e.g. ICESat-2, Magellan), and airborne ice-penetrating radar systems. The goals of this class are to: (1) develop a solid understanding of electromagnetic wave propagation and radar system principles, (2) gain hands-on experience with radar data processing and interpretation techniques, (3) understand how radar sounding reveals subsurface structure in ice sheets, planetary surfaces, and terrestrial environments, and (4) critically evaluate radar sounding studies in the scientific literature and design radar investigations for specific scientific questions.