Astrobiology: Exploring For Life in the Cosmos

M & Th 3 - 4:30 PM / PSF 566

DESCRIPTION / FORMAT

This course provides a topical exploration of NASA's Roadmap for Astrobiology. The couse format will alternate between topical lectures, in-class discussions of the published literature and guest lectures. Off-campus guest lectures from scientists in NASA's Astrobiology Institute will be delivered via videoconference.

This course is cross-listed in Biology, Microbiology, Chemistry and Astronomy.

Selected Topics:

• Life's big questions: The 'roadmap' for Astrobiology
• Origin of the biogenic elements
• Evolution of planetary systems
• Organic chemistry of meteorites
• Models for life's origin
• Impact processes and the evolution of Archean environments
• The molecular and fossil records of the earliest life
• Life in extreme environments and in the deep subsurface
• The origins of photosynthesis and the history of atmospheric oxygen
• The rise of multicellular life
• The evolution of intelligence, communication, culture and technology
• Exploring for life in the solar system: Mars and icy satellites
• Discovering other Earth's: The search for planets around other stars
• Calculating the probability of extraterrestrial life: The Drake Equation
• "Terraforming" Mars: Can we? Should we? How long would it take?
• Long-term adaptation and survival in space

  Grading is based on participation in weekly discussions and completion and delivery of a topic-related term paper.