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| GEOL0263-1 | Astrobiology
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| Duration : | 30h Th, 15h Pr |
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| Credits/ECTS : |
| Master in Geology, Research Focus, 1st year | | Second semester | | 5 |
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| Master in Space Sciences, Research focus, 1st year | | Second semester | | 4 |
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| Master in Space Sciences, Research focus, 1st year | | | | 4 |
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| Master in Space Sciences, Research focus, 2nd year | | | | 4 |
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| Master in Space Sciences, Research focus, 2nd year | | Second semester | | 4 |
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| Master in Geological Sciences | | Toute l'année | | 5 |
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| Holder(s) : | Philippe Claeys, Véronique Dehant, Moreno Galleni, Emmanuelle Javaux, Yaël Nazé, Pascal Poncin, Annick Wilmotte |
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| Coordinator : | Emmanuelle Javaux |
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| Language : | French language |
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| Course contents : | How does life begin and evolve? Does life exist elsewhere in the Universe? What is life's future on Earth and beyond? These most profound questions are the focus of Astrobiology, the study of the origin, evolution, distribution and destiny of life in the Universe. Recent advances in biology and space exploration and technology make it possible for us to find answers. Astrobiology is multidisciplinary and closely linked to diverse research topics in astrophysics, molecular biology, biochemistry, prebiotic chemistry, ecology of extremophiles, microbiology, physiology, planetary sciences, geology, palaeontology, space exploration and technology, law, and philosophy. |
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| Course objective : | This class will provide a general overview of basic knowledge and research developped in astrobiology. Students will have the opportunity to discuss topics of common interest with multidisciplinary points of view through exchanges with teachers and students from various scientific backgrounds. |
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| Prerequisites : | 1st degree in sciences |
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| Workshops : | -the redaction and presentation of an astrobiology-related topic by multidisciplinary group
-observation of material (meteorites, rocks, fossils, microorganisms)
-participation to public conferences |
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| Organization : | This multidisciplinary class is teached by specialists of every topic, from ULg and outside ULg. It comprises powerpoint presentations, a debate, public conferences in the evening, and the redaction and presentation of an astrobiology-related topic by multidisciplinary group.
here is the program, which may vary slightly.
1-Introduction to Astrobiology (E Javaux, ULg)
2-Plurality of the worlds or astrobiology since the ancient Greeks (Y Nazé/ULg)
4-from the Big Bang to the solar system
(Y Nazé, ULg)
5-Planet Earth at Hadean and Archean Times (Ph Claeys, VUB)
6-Meteoritic impacts in Earth and the solar system history (Ph Claeys, VUB)
7-Liquid water, a necessary condition for life? (K Bartik, ULB)
8-Origins of cellular life : definition of "life", hypotheses, prebiotic chemistry (E Javaux, ULG)
9-Co-evolution of life and Earth (E. Javaux, ULG)
10-Planetary Habitability and the search for life in the solar system (V Dehant, ROB/UCL)
11-Molecular phylogeny and microbial diversity (A Wilmotte, ULg)
12-Extremophiles (A Wilmotte, ULg)
13-Biochemical Adaptations to extreme condtions (M Galleni, ULG)
14-the search for extra-solar life and exoplanets detection and characterization (Y Nazé, ULg)
15-what is intelligence? Homo sapiens sapiens, just another animal? (P Poncin, ULG)
16-Life elsewhere: dramatic discovery, a lesson from history (P Raxhon, ULg)
17-students presentation |
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| Written notes : | online powerpoint presentations |
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| Assessment : | the redaction and presentation of an astrobiology-related topic by multidisciplinary group. |
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| Contacts : | Coordinator : Emmanuelle Javaux (E.Javaux@ulg.ac.be, geology department ) 04 366 5422 |
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| Remarks : | this class is offered only once every two years (academic year 2010-11, ...) on the second semester (spring 2011) |
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