Pomona College, Astronomy 3

     Life in the Universe




Spring term, 2007

Dr. Thomas Jarrett, Instructor
Mondays, 7-10pm


Laboratory:
Dr. Bryan Penprase, Instructor
Dr. Phil Choi, Instructor
Tues/Thur 7:30 - 10:00 PM

Welcome/Synopsis
Topics
Text
Assignments
Lectures
Resources
News
Links

Welcome

Life in the Universe is an exploration of our role in the Cosmos, starting here on Earth where the very definition of "life" derives, to wondrous worlds in our Solar System and finally to the great divide of interstellar space. The quest for life is the search for who we are and why we are here. Carl Sagan phrased it concisely,
    "The nature of life on Earth and the quest for life elsewhere are the two sides of the same coin: the search for Who We Are.

It has only been in the last two decades or so that humans have developed the tools and machines capable of traveling to the outer planets (and to the stars) to seek out life. NASA has only recently initiated (and funded!) an ambitious program to find planets encircling nearby stars, with the ultimate goal to find "earth-like" planets where life may have arisen. Ongoing searches for extraterristrial intelligence may some day reveal that we are not alone. Now is an exciting and adventurous time in the search for Life in the Universe.


Topics

    What is Life?
    The Quest for Life Beyond Earth
    The History of Evolution of the Universe
    History of Life on Earth
    Is Carbon/Water-based Life Possible Beyond Earth?
    Exploring Our Solar System
    Mars, Titan and Europa, the Search Goes On
    ExtraSolar Planets
    The Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence
    Origins: NASA's Mission to Find ET Life
    Are there ET Aliens Amongst Us?
    Are We Alone? The Pale Blue Dot

Text

Life in the Universe, 2/E
by Bennett & Shostak
(2006) ISBN: 0805347534; Publisher: Benjamin Cummings

Life in the Universe takes non-science majors on a journey through the solar system and beyond, using a rigorous yet accessible introduction to astronomy, biology, chemistry, and geology to explain natural phenomena and explore unanswered scientific questions. The Second Edition has been thoroughly revised to include updated scientific discoveries, optional quantitative coverage, an enhanced illustration program, and expanded coverage of the solar system and stellar material.

Designed for the emerging astrobiology course, but also suitable for introductory astronomy, Life in the Universe captures the imagination of students by exploring fundamental pan-scientific questions: How did life begin on Earth? What are the most extreme forms of life currently known? What are the challenges of trying to colonize another planet?

The text motivates non-science majors to develop basic reasoning skills and an understanding of the process of science through skillful writing and a wealth of pedagogical features, such as Learning Goals that keep students focused on key concepts. Sidebars provide optional mathematical material for courses that fulfill quantitative requirements.

Assignments/Course Work

The course will consist of lectures, in-class discussion and laboratory exercises. Open debate and skepticism will be encouraged. Attendance is mandatory and graded as such for both lectures and labs. There will homework (readings, research) and exams.

Final Grades:

    attendance/participation: 25%; reports/quiz: 25%; labs: 25%; final exam: 25%
NEW
Fall Exam Score Distribution (April 2007)

Fall Grade Distribution (May 2, 2007)

Life in the Universe Poll -- Jan. vs. April

Lectures

News

Links
final thoughts ...

"We do not ask for what useful purpose the birds do sing, for song is their pleasure since they were created for singing. Similarly, we ought not to ask why the human mind troubles to fathom the secrets of the heavens ... The diversity of the phenomena of Nature is so great, and the treasures hidden in the heavens so rich, precisely in order that the human mind shall never be lacking in fresh nourishment."

--Johannes Kepler, Mysterium Cosmographicum