Life in the Universe

3.00 credits · Undergraduate

Prereq: Second-year standing; 3 credits from PHYS 1021, 1031; or permission of the Department This course will examine issues concerning the origin, evolution and survival of life in the universe from an astrophysical perspective. Topics covered include cosmology and the origin and evolution of the universe, solar system origin, detection of extrasolar planets, what is life and what conditions are necessary to sustain it, searches for life in the solar system, habitable zones, complex organics in extraterrestrial materials, delivery of organics to the primordial and current Earth and other planets, astrophysical threats to life on Earth, life in space, and searches for extraterrestrial intelligence. (Format: Lecture 3 Hours, Laboratory 3 Hours)