Astrobiology

Astrobiology (ANAT-205B, ESPC-205B)
Winter 2006

Download Syllabus: [Word ][PDF]

MS PowerPoint (and also PDF) lectures can be found on the appropriate Lectures pages!

Instructor/Coordinator
Hojatollah Vali
Office Hours: after class or by appointment
M 1-44, Strathcona Anatomy & Dentistry Building
(T) 514.398.3025; (F) 514.398.5047; (E) vali@eps.mcgill.ca

Guest Lecturers:
Dale Andersen (SETI Institute) dandersen@seti.org
Andrew Higgins (Mechanical Engineering/McGill) andrew.higgins@mcgill.ca
Hyman Hartman (MIT)
Hans Hofmann (Earth & Planetary Sciences/McGill) hofmann@eps.mcgill.ca
Ram Jahku (Faculty of Law) ram.jahku@mcgill.ca
Robert Lamontagne (Physics/Université de Montréal) lamont@astro.umontreal.ca
Jay Nadeau (Biomedical Engineering/McGill) jay.nadeau@mcgill.ca
Edward Shields (Dentistry/McGill) edward.shields@mcgill.ca
Douglas Watt (Physiology/McGill) doug.watt@mcgill.ca
Lyle Whyte (Natural Resources/McGill) whyte@nrs.mcgill.ca

Teaching Assistants:
Lila Dolansky
Guillaume Girard
Dirk Schumann
E-mail written assignment to the T.A.'s

Format:
M/W/F 1:30-2:30

Location:
Strathcona Anatomy and Dentistry Building, Room C2-36

Evaluation:
50% Final Examination (short answer - includes lecture material and assigned readings)
10% Assignments (One 500 word summary of important points of the special lecture – Hyman Hartman)
40% Three term tests [Best 2 out of 3 - short answer - includes lecture material and assigned readings)

Texts:
Bennett, J.O., Shostak, S., Jakosky, B. (2003): Life in the Universe. Addison Wesley/Pearson. (Recommended)
Lunine, J.L. (2005): Astrobiology - A Multidisciplinary Approach. Addison Wesley/Pearson. (Reference)
Selected readings. A reading list will be updated throughout the term - see Lectures.
Library Resources: www.library.mcgill.ca/PSEL/guides/astrobio.htm

Please read the assigned readings before coming to class.

Scope of the course:
Where did we come from? How did we get here? Are we alone in the universe? Questions about their origin and that of life on Earth and elsewhere have long fascinated humans. It is only recently, however, that modern science has been in a position to provide some elements of answers to these questions. The objective of this course is to discuss the theoretical and practical aspects of the formation and development of the universe with emphasis on the processes responsible for the origin of life.

Date Topic ___________ Lecturer Lecture

Jan 4 Introduction to Astrobiology Vali

Jan 6 Development of astrobiology and the NASA Astrobiology Roadmap Vali

Jan 9 Cosmic foundations of the origin of life Vali

Jan 11 Planetological foundations for the origin of life I Vali

Jan 13 Planetological foundations for the origin of life II Vali

Jan 16 Evolution of Earth as a habitable planet I Vali

Jan 18 Evolution of Earth as a habitable planet II Vali

Jan 20 Magnetic Earth Vali

Jan 23 Development of the atmosphere on Earth Vali

Jan 25 SETI: Search for extraterrestrial intelligence Vali

Jan 27 Search, discovery and dynamics of exoplanets Lamontagne

Jan 30 Implications of exoplanets for the development of life Lamontagne

Feb 1 Current hypotheses for the origin of life on Earth Vali

Feb 3 First Term Test (A-L, Room 1-56; M-Z, Room 2-36)

Feb 6 Biological foundations for the origin of life I Nadeau

Feb 8 Biological foundations for the origin of life II Nadeau

Feb 10 From the origin to the diversification of life Nadeau

Feb 13 Extremophiles: Life under extreme conditions I Whyte

Feb 15 Extremophiles: Life under extreme conditions II Whyte

Feb 17 Evolution: Roles of impacts, volcanism, and mass extinctions Vali

Feb 27 Second Term Test (Covers lectures from January 27 to February 17, inclusive - A-L, Room 1-56; M-Z, Room 2-36)

Mar 1 Denizens of the distant past Hofmann

Mar 3            Special Lecture: The Origin of Eukaryotic Cells: A Genomic Study                    Hartman
                         Assignment: 500-word summary of the lecture: Due March 17, 2006
                    at 5:00 pm.

Mar 6 The evolution of Mars Vali

Mar 8 Case study: Life on Mars? Viking Mission and Martian meteorite ALH84001 Vali

Mar 10 Search for biological activities in extraterrestrial materials I Vali

Mar 13 Search for biological activities in extraterrestrial materials II Vali

Mar 15 Planetary protection issues Jakhu

Mar 17 Human adaptation in space Shields
Assignment due by 5:00 pm

Mar 20 Terraforming Mars Andersen

Mar 22 Mars analogue sites in the Arctic and Antarctic Andersen

Mar 24 Third Term Test (Covers lectures from March 1 to March 22, inclusive - A-L, Room 1-56; M-Z, Room 2-36)

Mar 27 How to move around the solar system: An introduction to orbital mechanics Higgins

Mar 29 The engines we use: An introduction to rocket propulsion Higgins

Mar 31 Mission analysis: Mars (and back!) and to the stars Higgins

Apr 3 Challenges imposed by space flight Watt

Apr 5 Life support systems Watt

Apr 7 Physiological adaptation to microgravity Watt

Apr 10 Review and return of third term test

Vali

FINAL EXAM: Friday, April 28, 2006 2:00 - 5:00 pm Gym

Note regarding plagiarism: McGill University values academic integrity. Therefore, all students must understand the meaning and consequences of cheating, plagiarism and other academic offenses under the Code of Student Conduct and Disciplinary Procedures (see www.mcgill.ca/integrity for more information).

Questions or comments: S. Kelly Sears