What is Integrative Biology 167: Astrobiology: The Scientific Search for Life in the Universe?

This course is designed for non-science and science majors to delve into this emerging discipline, from public perceptions to the latest scientific research. 

What topics will the course cover?

The course will cover topics such as:

• What makes a planet habitable?
• How do we recognize life elsewhere?
• Did life arise elsewhere in the Universe?
  
• How do ecosystems respond to changes?
  
• How do terrestrial organisms, including us, respond to conditions in space or on other planets?
• How did life arise on Earth?
  
• How is life organized into systems?
  
• How does life evolve at all levels?
  
• How has terrestrial biota coevolved with Earth?
  
• What are the limits for life?
• And many more!

What are the course requirements?

There are three lectures and one discussion session each week. The lectures will provide guidelines for discussion, classroom work, Web-based activities, e-mail discussions, as well as basic information. The class will decide where we will go with each topic.


Students will be graded on:

• Lecture attendance
  
• Discussion Section participation
  
• Two Midterms & Final 
  
• Class Participation (Lecture hand-ins & Discussion, Bulletin Board, News Clippings, Website Suggestions, Field Trips)
  

How is the course graded?

Two Midterms = 50% (25% each)
Final Exam = 35%
Class Participation = 15%
TOTAL = 100%


Grades will be assigned as follows:

A = 90 – 100%
B = 80 – 89%
C = 65 – 79%
D = 50 – 64%

How is the class participation grade determined?

The expectation is that you will have 3 credits/week on the average. You do not need 3 credits every week, if you have more in other weeks. It's an average or goal. If you get all your credits in the last 3 weeks of class, this does not count as class participation (that's class panic!)

You will receive 1 credit for:

1. Each current news, magazine or internet article relevant to astrobiology (topics covered in lecture or identified in article as astrobiology). Highlight 4 important points.

2. Earthquake survey for the USGS after any earthquake in northern California.

You will receive 5 credits for:

Attending the Dome theater, planetarium, telescope viewing, or exhibits at Chabot Space and Science Center, Oakland, the California Academy of Sciences Planetarium show and exhibit "Life Through Time", or any other museum with appropriate astrobiology exhibits. List 4 scientific thoughts you got from the it.

Any lecture on campus or in the Bay Area on a topic covered in lecture or on astrobiology. Provide 4 important things you heard.

Telescope viewing: "Stargazing Session", at Campbell Hall on campus. Check schedule.
Describe and draw what you see.

A thorough survey of your dorm, apartment or other living quarters for earthquake hazards Propose solutions to each hazard. Make a 2-column list of hazards and solutions.

Do the same for your parents home.

Write a one page review of a TV program or movie related to astrobiology.

Plan your own field trip to observe something related to a topic in the lectures.

You are also expected to use the Newsgroup. No credits will be tallied for this, but a record is kept. A poor performance here will detract from your class participation grade.

Take a look at the Newsgroup at least once a week and post your own comments.

Turn in lecture assignments.
No assignment = -3 credits.