Introduction to Astrobiology: A Biochemical Perspective

CH 391L, unique no. 53713.  Meets in 0.132 GAR, Tues. & Thurs. 11:00-12:15.

Prerequisites.  Since the course number is > 380, undergraduates will need to be at least a junior, have a 3.0 or higher GPA, and have permission of instructor or your undergraduate adviser.  I will assume that students are familiar with basic chemical concepts. Enrollment will be limited to a maximum of 30 students.  The course should be appropriate for upper-level undergraduates majoring in some sort of science.

Rationale and description.  The past decade has brought remarkable discoveries that demonstrate the extreme conditions under which life can exist.  In parallel, earth-based observations and unmanned probes have provided new information regarding past and present conditions elsewhere in our solar system. During the next decade, there will be a vigorous search for the signs of extraterrestrial life, inside and outside our own solar system. An aim of this course is to provide the scientific background necessary to understand the strategies and observational tools that may be used in this search. 

The course should provide a good introduction to (or review of) biochemical principles, along with some astronomy, earth science, geology, and chemistry.
 
Organization.  The course will be based on readings and class notes.  Grades will be based on homework assignments, mid-term exams, class participation, and a final exam. 

Planned course content is listed below. The order of the material is still under consideration. 

I.     Introduction.  Where are we, and how did we get here?  A brief history of the last 13.5 billion years.

II.   Review of the life that we know.  
        1.  Features that are common to all life on earth.
                a.  Water.  
                b.  The major classes of biomolecules. Genes to proteins.
                c.  Cells: Prokaryotes and eukaryotes, bacteria and archaea.  
                d.  Energy and metabolism.  
                e.  Photosynthesis.
        2.  Life on the fringe: A look at life on earth under extreme conditions.
                a.  Temperature limits.
                b.  Lithotrophs: Life where rocks are the source of material and energy.

III.  Earth history and evolution.
        1.  Formation of the earth, sun and solar system.
        2.  Evolution of the earth: atmosphere, land and oceans.
                a.  Life on early earth.
                b.  The arrival of oxygen.
                c.  Terrestrial carbon cycles.
        3.  What makes a planet suitable for life?
        4.  Life during the next 4 billion years.

IV.  Looking for life elsewhere.
        1.  What's in the neighborhood: Mars, and the moons of Jupiter and Saturn.
                a.  Where is the water?
                b.  Opportunities for metabolism.
                c.  Signs of life: Molecules and isotope ratios.
                d.  Recent and planned missions to Mars, Jupiter and Saturn
        2.  Looking outside of the neighborhood.
                a.  Classes of stars and stellar evolution.
                b.  Finding terrestrial planets.
                c.  Looking for life's evidence:  Spectroscopy with large telescopes.
        3.  Rare earth?  How rare or common are the conditions required for life.   


  Related links.

        Astronomy picture of the day.
        The astrobiology primer (PDF) 
        NASA astrobiology 
        Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter
        Mars Phoenix Mission 
        NASA astrobiology roadmap (PDF) 
        Astrobiology (journal) 
        International Journal of Astrobiology  
        Astrobiology.com 
        Atlas of the universe