Duration
45h Th
Number of credits
Lecturer
Vincianne Debaille, Véronique Dehant, Emmanuelle Javaux, Yaël Nazé, Annick Wilmotte
Coordinator
Language(s) of instruction
English language
Organisation and examination
Teaching in the second semester
Schedule
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 or podcasts
Mode of delivery (face to face, distance learning, hybrid learning)
This multidisciplinary class is teached by specialists of every topic, from ULiege and outside ULiege. 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.
The course will be online due to the pandemia situation.
On line program: online class, podcasts and ppts (links and files posted on MyULg):
GEOL 263-1 Astrobiology 2021
Astrobiology 2021
Astrobiology and the Universe
11/03/21
AM 9-10
1-Introduction to astrobiology (E Javaux, ULiège)
AM 10-12
2-history of Astrobiology (Y Nazé, ULiège)
PM 14-17
3-from the Big Bang to the solar system : (Y Nazé, ULiège)
What is life? Origins and conditions
18/03/21
AM 9-11
4-liquid water, necessary condition for life? (K Bartik, ULB)
AM 11-12
5- life and artificial life (P Meyer, ULiège)
PM 14-17
6-Earth Sciences misconception on the origin and early evolution of life (E Javaux, ULiège) ; Biological sciences misconceptions on evolution and the origin of life (P Lopez-Garcia, Orsay)
Early Earth
25/03/21
AM 9-12
7-Planet Earth in the Hadean and Archean (H Martin, Clermont-Ferrand)
PM 14-17
8-Impacts of meteorites in the history of Earth and the solar system ( P Claeys, VUB)
classification of meteorites (V Debaille, ULB)
Evolution of life
01/04/21
AM 9-12
9-the first 3 billions years of life evolution (E. Javaux, ULiège)
AM 14-17
10-using star light as energy: phototrophy (P Cardol, ULiege)
Biodiversity and phylogeny
22/04/21
AM 9-12
11-molecular phylogeny and microbial diversity (A Wilmotte, ULiège)
PM 14-17
12-extremophiles : definition and examples (A Wilmotte, ULiège)
Habitability of the solar system: focus on Mars missions
29/04/21
AM 9-12
13-planetary habitability in the solar system and ongoing space missions (INSIGHT, LARA..) (V Dehant, ROB/UCL)
PM 14-16
14-planetary atmospheres-mission EXOMARS TGO-(AC Vandaele, BIRA)
PM 16-17
15-the search for life on Mars: ESA Exomars Rosalind rover and NASA Mars 2020 (E. Javaux, Uliège)
Exoplanets
06/05/21
AM 9-12
16-Techniques of exoplanets detection and study (Y Nazé, ULiège)
PM 14-17
17-The exoplanetary system of TRAPPIST-1 (M Gillon, ULiege)
20/05/21
AM 9-12
18-student presentations of term paper
Organisational adjustments related to the current health context
online teaching
The evaluation will include:
-the redaction of a term paper and its online presentation (May 2021)
Recommended or required readings
online powerpoint presentations, podcasts, and books to consult in prof E Javaux' office
Assessment methods and criteria
Below you will find information on the evaluation methods planned for in-person and remote exams as well as those planned for hybrid sessions. Depending on how the health crisis evolves, the chosen method will be communicated to you no later than one month before the start of the exam session.
Any session :
- In-person
oral exam
- Remote
oral exam AND written work
- If evaluation in "hybrid"
preferred remote
Additional information:
--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 before June 2021.
--oral presentation online or face-to-face (TBA) (see instructions)
Work placement(s)
Organizational remarks
course in english, face to face or online, during the second semester
Contacts
Coordinator : Emmanuelle Javaux (Geology Department)
EJ.Javaux@uliege.be
04 366 5422
Items online
Astrobiolog Part 1 -A.Wilmotte
Course on Diversity and extremophilic life: Basis of molecular biology and how to generate genetic diversity