EXTRATERRESTRIAL ELSEWHERES: ASTROBIOLOGY AND IMAGINING LIFE ON OTHER WORLDS

Credit Hours: 3 · Undergraduate Upper-Level

Are we alone in the Universe? How did Life begin? Might humans and other terrestrial species spread beyond Earth? How would living on other worlds change us? This course explores the field of astrobiology by considering how people have approached these questions over time and how they do so today. Topics include detecting life on other worlds, planetary protection, habitability, the biology of extremophiles, synthetic biology and bioengineering, space exploration, and the biological prerequisites and consequences of space settlement. Cross-list: BIOS 363 .