Astrobiology

Does life exist elsewhere in the universe, or are we alone? The emerging science of astrobiology attempts to answer this fundamental question using an interdisciplinary approach rooted in biology and astronomy. This course will examine the current state of our scientific knowledge concerning the possibility of life elsewhere in the universe. Topics include: the nature and origin of life on Earth, the possibility of life on Mars and elsewhere in the Solar System, the search for extrasolar planets, the habitability of planets, and the search for extraterrestrial intelligence.