Astrobiology

Duration

30h Th, 15h Pr

Number of credits

Lecturer

Vincianne Debaille, Véronique Dehant, Emmanuelle Javaux, Yaël Nazé, Annick Wilmotte

Coordinator

Emmanuelle Javaux

Language(s) of instruction

French language

Organisation and examination

Teaching in the second semester

Schedule

Schedule online

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, possibly 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 (V Debaille, ULB)
6-Meteoritic impacts in Earth and the solar system history (V Debaille, ULB)
Presentation of meteorite collection
7-Liquid water, a necessary condition for life? (K Bartik, ULB)
8-biological life and atificial life (P Meyer, ULg)

9-Origins of cellular life : definition of "life", hypotheses, prebiotic chemistry (E Javaux, ULG)
10-Co-evolution of life and Earth (E. Javaux, ULG)
11-Planetary Habitability and the search for life in the solar system (V Dehant, ROB/UCL)
12-Molecular phylogeny and microbial diversity (A Wilmotte, ULg)
13-Extremophiles (A Wilmotte, ULg)
14-Biochemical Adaptations to extreme condtions (M Galleni, ULG)
15-the search for extra-solar life and exoplanets detection and characterization (Y Nazé, ULg)
16-what is intelligence? Homo sapiens sapiens, just another animal? (P Poncin, ULG)
17-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 2019, on thurdays 8h30-12 am and 1-5 pm, room R168 B18
dates: March 7 , 14 , 21 , 28 , April 4 , 25 , May 2 , 9 , 16

Contacts

Coordinator : Emmanuelle Javaux (E.Javaux@uliege.be, geology department ) 04 366 5422

Items online