Astrobiology

Catalog description

Is life on Earth all there is? Is there life elsewhere in the solar system or beyond, on planets orbiting distant stars? These are fundamental questions of the human condition, but a growing knowledge of environmental conditions on other planets, the discovery of thousands of planets in other star systems and a deeper (literally in some cases) understanding of life under extreme conditions here on Earth allow us to explore them on multiple levels. After an introduction to astronomy and the geological history of the Earth, this course will focus on the cell biology, ecology and evolution of extremophiles on Earth. We will then use that understanding to investigate other possible sites for life elsewhere in the universe. This will be a seminar style course using primary literature, established texts, and even science fiction to engage with the material. TSI Restriction(s): Reading, Writing, and Math