Duration
30h Th
Number of credits
| Master in biology of organisms and ecology (120 ECTS) | 3 crédits |
Lecturer
Vinciane Debaille, Véronique Dehant, Emmanuelle Javaux, Yaël Nazé, Annick Wilmotte
Coordinator
Language(s) of instruction
French language
Organisation and examination
Teaching in the second semester
Units courses prerequisite and corequisite
Prerequisite or corequisite units are presented within each program
Learning unit 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.
Learning outcomes of the learning unit
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.
Prerequisite knowledge and skills
1st degree in sciences
Planned learning activities and teaching methods
-the redaction and presentation of an astrobiology-related topic by multidisciplinary group
-observation of material (meteorites, rocks, fossils, microorganisms)
-participation to public conferences
Mode of delivery (face-to-face ; distance-learning)
This multidisciplinary class is teached by specialists of every topic, from ULg and outside ULg. It comprises powerpoint presentations, illustrations with samples, 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)
Presentation of meteorite collection (F Hatert)
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-students presentation
Recommended or required readings
online powerpoint presentations and books to consult in prof E Javaux' office
Assessment methods and criteria
-75% of the final mark: the redaction and oral presentation of an astrobiology-related topic by multidisciplinary group.
-25% of the final mark: Multiple choice interrogation
Work placement(s)
Organizational remarks
this class is offered only once every two years (academic year 2012-13, ...) on the second semester (spring 2013)
the next class is scheduled on spring 2017
Contacts
Coordinator : Emmanuelle Javaux (E.Javaux@ulg.ac.be, geology department ) 04 366 5422