Duration
45h Th
Number of credits
Lecturer
Kristin Bartik, Pierre Cardol, Vinciane Debaille, Michaël Gillon, Emmanuelle Javaux, Yannick Lara, Yaël Nazé, Ann-Carine Vandaele
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, including Earth. 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, anthropology 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
-observation of material (meteorites, rocks, fossils, microorganisms)
-participation to classes, public conferences or podcasts
Mode of delivery (face to face, distance learning, hybrid learning)
Blended learning
Further information:
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.
The course will be in english
example of content (may vary)
Astrobiology
Astrobiology and the Universe
Introduction to astrobiology (E Javaux, ULiège)
History of Astrobiology (Y Nazé, ULiège)
From the Big Bang to the solar system (Y Nazé, ULiège)
Origin and early evolution of life
Liquid water, necessary condition for life? (K Bartik, ULB)
Origin and early evolution of life on Earth and implications for ESA Exomars Rover mission (EJavaux, ULiege)
Microbial diversity and evolution
Molecular phylogeny and microbial diversity (prokaryotes), extremophiles (Y Lara ULiège)
Origin and evolution of complex cellular life (eukaryotes) (E Javaux, ULiège)
Star light as a source of energy
using star light as energy: phototrophy (P Cardol, ULiege)
cyanobacteria and astrobiology (Y Lara, ULiege)
Early Earth and Habitability of the solar system
Planet Earth in the Hadean and Archean (V Debaille, ULB)
Classification and study of meteorites (V Debaille, ULB)
Planetary habitability in the solar system and Mars missions (NASA Mars 2020 and Mars sample Return) (V Debaille, ULB)
Planetary atmospheres
Planetary atmospheres (AC Vandaele, BIRA)
Space Ethics: should we go to Mars? (students debate, E Javaux, ULiege)
Detection and habitability of exoplanets
Techniques of exoplanets detection and study (Y Nazé, ULiège)
The habitability of planets around red dwarfs: theoretical constraints and observational perspectives (M Gillon, ULiege)
Astrobiology and Society
Anthropology and astrobiology (M Barkou, ULiège),
Serious games in astrobiology (Y Nazé)
Evening public conference : (date TBA)
Les détectives de l'espace : à la recherche de la vie ailleurs dans l'univers-JL Margot (Francqui International chair)
Course materials and recommended or required readings
Platform(s) used for course materials:
- MyULiège
Further information:
powerpoint presentations, notes, papers posted on MyUlg; podcasts
All these documents are made available exclusively for a strictly personal and private use, and shall not be shared with a third party. If a student wants to record a lesson, he/she must ask for the teacher's authorization and sign the adequate copyright form (which also requires non-sharing).
Exam(s) in session
Any session
- In-person
written exam
Further information:
Multiple choice exam
Work placement(s)
Organisational remarks and main changes to the course
course in english, face to face or online, during the second semester, on thursdays (9 to 12 AM and 14 to 17 PM)
Contacts
Coordinator : Prof Emmanuelle Javaux
Université de Liège Bât. B22
Early Life Traces & Evolution-Astrobiology
Quartier Vallée 1
Chemin de la Vallée 4
4000 Liège (Sart-Tilman)
Belgique
EJ.Javaux@uliege.be
04 366 5422
www.earlylife.uliege.be
www.astrobiology.uliege.be
www.origins.uliege.be