Astrobiology

Duration

45h Th

Number of credits

Lecturer

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

Coordinator

Emmanuelle Javaux

Language(s) of instruction

English 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 future of life in the Universe. 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 or Master degree

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

course in english
Q2 weeks 5 to 8 and 11 to 14 on thursdays 9-12h and 14 to 17th

Contacts

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

Adaptation of teaching commitments following the COVID-19 pandemic for the May-June 2020 session

Teaching methods implemented : distance-learning

Following the first class in presence of the students, the next classes are taught remotely by podcasts and powerpoint presentations deposited in a file in MyULg. A second file includes scientific papers for preparing the term paper.

Assessment subjects

The classes provide an overview of Astrobiology. With this knowledge, the student should be able to understand the relevant scientific litterature, and to develop a term paper on a chosen topic.
GEOL 263-1 Astrobiology 2020 
(12/03) AM 9-10 Introduction to astrobiology (E Javaux, ULiège) AM 10-12 Astrobiology since the ancient greeks (Y Nazé, ULiège) PM 14-17 From the Big Bang to the solar system (Y Nazé, ULiège): Formation and evolution of the universe, stars and planets, description of the solar system
podcasts and ppts (links and files posted on MyULg):
(19/03)  Origins of life (E Javaux, ULiège) ; Misconceptions in origin of life (P Lopez-Garcia (Paris); Earth sciences misconceptions in origin of life  (E Javaux, ULiège)
(26/03) Liquid water, necessary conditions for life? (K Bartik, ULB);  Planetary atmospheres-mission EXOMARS TGO-(AC Vandaele, BIRA)
(02/04) Environments for early Life (H Martin, Univ Clermont-Ferrand); Météorites en Antarctique: archives de notres système solaire  (V Debaille, ULB); Impacts and consequences for Life (P Claeys, VUB)
(23/04) Molecular phylogeny and microbial diversity (A Wilmotte, ULiège);  Extremophiles : definition and examples (A Wilmotte, ULiège); "Life in extreme environments" (C Cockell, Univeristy of Edinburgh)


(30/04) solar system exploration and the search for life on Mars (J Vago, ESA); Interior dynamics, plate tectonics and habitability (L Noack, Freie Universitäta Berlin)
(7/05) Techniques of exoplanets detection and study (Y Nazé, ULiège) ; Exoplantes and habitability (F Selsis, CNRS - Université de Bordeaux)
Term paper to send  no later than June 8th 2020 (date extended from original program)
Interview TBA after June 15th 2020 (to fix with students)

Assessment methods

the evaluation is based on
-the redaction of a term paper following the modalities described during the first class and summarized in a powerpoint. The topic is to be chosen and develop from one of the scientific articles deposited in a file on MyUlg. The electronic version of the paper should be send by email to  ej.javaux@uliege.be  on June 8th 2020.
-an individual meeting online (10-5 minutes)  between each student and 2 teachers (E Javaux and Y Nazé) who will ask questions on the term paper (date to fix with the students, depending on their exam schedule, no less than a week after reception of the term paper)

Contacts

Prof Emmanuelle Javaux ej.javaux@uliege.be

Adaptation of teaching commitments following the COVID-19 pandemic for the Aug-Sept 2020 session

Assessment subjects

Assessment methods

Contacts

Items online