Introductory Astrobiology: The Search for Life in the Universe

3 credits · Undergraduate credit

This course covers one of the most exciting areas of modern astronomy: understanding our own origins and the search for life elsewhere. First, we survey our understanding of life's origin on the Earth. Second, we apply this knowledge by exploring our own solar system and asking what planets or moons could potentially harbor life. Third, we move beyond our star system to outline the search for other planets in the Galaxy, speculate on the existence of life in the Universe, and consider the possibility of start travel sometime in the future.