Introduction to astrobiology 0800-ASTROBIO

https://moodle.umk.pl/WFAIIS/course/view.php?id=196

What is astrobiology?
Drake's equation,
Silentium Universi,
What is life?
Interstellar medium, interstellar chemical processes,
Photodissociation regions, star formation,
Protoplanetary disks,
Formation of giant planets,
Formation of terrestrial planets,
Solar System formation,
Stellar nucleosynthesis,
Habitability, architecture of exoplanetary systems
Exoplanet habitability,
Search for exomoons,
The origin and evolution of the Earth's oceans and continental crust,
Earth's atmosphere, the Earth as a habitable planet,
Mars,
Possible life niches in the Solar System,
Searching for live beyond the Solar System.

Total student workload

Contact hours with teacher: - participation in lectures - 30 hrs Self-study hours: - preparation for lectures - 10 hrs - reading literature - 15 hrs - preparation for examination- 20 hrs Altogether: 75 hrs (3 ECTS)

Learning outcomes - knowledge

W1: is acquainted with astronomical terminology in the field of astrobiology and has in-depth knowledge of physical processes essential to astrobiology (K_W01) W2: is familiar with the latest results of scientific investigations of interstellar matter, stars in young and advanced stages of stellar evolution, Solar System bodies, and exoplanets (K_W06) W3: knows principles of the formation of the Solar System and extrasolar planetary systems, as well as the emergence of life on Earth (K_W03) W4: knows the methods used for astrobiological researches, is familiar with methods of detection of rocky exoplanets and studies of planetary atmospheres (K_W04)

Learning outcomes - skills

U1: is able to describe to specialists and non-specialists the astronomical phenomena related to astrobiology and the latest achievements of astrobiology (K_U07)

Learning outcomes - social competencies

Student K1: understands the relations of astronomy with physics, chemistry and biology (K_K01, K_K04) K2: can form opinions on contemporary physical and astronomical issues, understands the need to present astronomical achievements to non-specialists (K_K04)

Expository teaching methods

- informative (conventional) lecture

Prerequisites

None.

Course coordinators

Gracjan Maciejewski

Assessment criteria

Assessment methods:
- written and/or oral examination - W1, W2, W3, W4, U1, K1, K2

Assessment criteria:
fail- below 50 pts (below 50%)
satisfactory- 50-60 pts (50-60%)
satisfactory plus- 60-70 pts (60-70%)
good - 70-80 pts (70-80%)
good plus- 80-90 pts (80-90%)
very good- 90-100 pts (90-100%)

Bibliography

1. D.A. Rothery, I. Gilmour, M.A. Sephton, "An Introduction to Astrobiology", Cambridge University Press, Cambridge 2010 (or a newer edition)
2. M. Gargaud, R. Amils, J. Cernicharo Quintanilla, et al. (Eds.), "Encyclopedia of Astrobiology", Springer-Verlag, Berlin-Heidelberg 2011 (or a newer edition)
3. M. Gargaud, B. Barbier, H. Martin, J. Reisse (Eds.), "Lectures in Astrobiology", Springer-Verlag, Berlin-Heidelberg 2005 (or a newer edition)

Further reading:
- P. Bond, "Exploring the Solar System", Wiley-BlackWell, 2012
- I. Pater, J. Lissauer, "Planetary Sciences", Cambrigde University Press, Cambrigde 2010
- S. Seager, "Exoplanets", Univ. of Arizona Press, 2010
- H.J. Deeg, J. A. Belmonte (Eds.), "Handbook of Exoplanets", Springer-Verlag, Berlin-Heidelberg 2018

Additional information

Additional information (registration calendar, class conductors, localization and schedules of classes), might be available in the USOSweb system:

Description of 0800-ASTROBIO in USOSweb