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B016314 - ASTROBIOLOGY
Main information
Teaching Language
Course Content
Suggested readings
Learning Objectives
Prerequisites
Teaching Methods
Type of Assessment
Course program
Academic Year 2019-20
Course year
First year - Second Semester
Belonging Department
Physics and Astronomy
Course Type
Single education field course
Scientific Area
FIS/05 - ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS
Credits
6
Teaching Hours
48
Teaching Term
24/02/2020 ⇒ 12/06/2020
Attendance required
No
Type of Evaluation
Final Grade
Course Content
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Course program
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Lectureship
Teaching Language
Astrobiology
Course Content
The origin of the Universe. The origin of the biogenic lements. Organic matter in the universe. Dust in the Galaxy. Asteroids and Comets. Mars. Titan. Extrasolar planets. Habitability. Early Earth. Prebiotic chemistry. The hypotheses of the origin of life. The RNA World. The origin of living cells. Life in the extreme environments. The search for the life in the Universe. Planetary protection.
Suggested readings (Search our library's catalogue)
I. Gilmour & M.A. Sephton: “An Introduction to Astrobiology”, Cambridge University Press.
J. Lunine: “Astrobiology”, Pearson Education, Inc.
D.C.B. Whittet: “Dust in the Galactic Environment” Institute of Physics Publishing, Bristol.
C. Cockell Astrobiology: Understanding Life in the Universe
F. Dyson Origin of Life
J. Lunine: “Astrobiology”, Pearson Education, Inc.
D.C.B. Whittet: “Dust in the Galactic Environment” Institute of Physics Publishing, Bristol.
C. Cockell Astrobiology: Understanding Life in the Universe
F. Dyson Origin of Life
Learning Objectives
Basic knowledges on: 1) how life can begin and evolve on a habitable planet such as Earth; and 2) the conditions under wich life can exist in other zones of the Universe.
Prerequisites
Basic knowledge (Bachelor courses) of chemistry, physics and astronomy.
Teaching Methods
CFU: 6
Total hours of the course includes the time spent in attending lectures, seminars, private study, examinations, etc.
Contact hours for: Lectures (hours): 48
Total hours of the course includes the time spent in attending lectures, seminars, private study, examinations, etc.
Contact hours for: Lectures (hours): 48
Type of Assessment
Oral examination
Course program
The origin of the Universe. The biogenic elements. The interstellar medium. Meteorites, comets and cosmic dust as vectors of organic marterials in the Universe. The early Earth. The role of atmosphere and that of water. Prebiotic chemistry. Hypotheses on the origin of life.
The hypothesis of Oparin. The “mineral hypothesis. The Paspermia. The RNA World. Origin of first living organisms. Prokaryotes and eukaryotes. Life in extreme conditions. The search for extraterrestrial life.
Planetary Protection
The hypothesis of Oparin. The “mineral hypothesis. The Paspermia. The RNA World. Origin of first living organisms. Prokaryotes and eukaryotes. Life in extreme conditions. The search for extraterrestrial life.
Planetary Protection