AST 120 - Life in the Universe

3 credit hours - Three hours of lecture weekly; one term.
This course meets the Biological and Physical Sciences General Education Requirement.

Explore the possibility that life exists elsewhere in the Universe. Study what astrobiologists mean by “life” and the nature and origin of life on Earth. Investigate the properties of worlds where life could thrive, how the properties of stars affect the habitability of planets, and the challenges associated with interstellar travel. Discuss the probability of communication with extraterrestrial intelligent life forms, and discuss the social and philosophical consequences of finding life, intelligent or simple, elsewhere in the Universe.

Prerequisite(s): Eligibility for ENG 101 /ENG 101A and eligibility for any general education math.

Note: This course does not satisfy curricular requirements for a laboratory science course.

Location(s) Typically Offered: Arnold Main Campus (MC) and Online (OL)

Term(s) Typically Offered: Fall, spring, and summer

Course Outcomes:
Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to:

Describe the nature of science in general and astrobiology in particular, including the role of observation and experiment and what distinguishes science from pseudoscience and belief systems.
Discuss the historical and physical context for astrobiology, including the nature of light, gravity, stars, planets, our solar system, and the universe, as well as the challenges associated with interstellar travel.
Discuss the concept of life, including forms of life on Earth, how life originated on Earth, and what characteristics of Earth are essential for the life that exists here.
Describe the habitable zone for extrasolar planets and how stellar, atmospheric, surface, and subsurface conditions affect habitability for both bodies in the solar system and extrasolar planets.
Discuss the evidence that may exist for potentially habitable exoplanets and signs of extrasolar life including single-celled life and intelligent life, as well as our ability to detect that evidence.
Discuss SETI (Search for ExtraTerrestrial Intelligence), the Drake equation, and the Fermi paradox.