Astrobiology Minor

University Park, College of Earth and Mineral Sciences (GEOSC)

Coordinator: Jenn Macalady

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An inter-college undergraduate program in Astrobiology was established in the Fall 2000 semester. Astrobiology is the study of life in the Universe. Astrobiology has become a major focus of scientific research and a topic often discussed in popular science literature and the general media.

The Astrobiology Minor is designed to educate students in this interdisciplinary field covering the varied scientific disciplines that contribute to our general understanding of life, the origin of life, the past history of life on Earth, possible futures for life on Earth, and the possible existence of life on other planetary environments.

The principle goal of the minor is to develop student's literacy in astrobiology so that they can critically evaluate claims related to this field that they encounter well after their college education has ended.

Requirements

To qualify for the Minor students are required to take 18 course credits from the list below, with at least six credits at the 400-level. (A grade of C or better is required for all courses in the minor.)

1. REQUIRED Introductory courses (3 credits, semesters 1-6):
   • EARTH 002: The Earth System (3)
     ----OR----
   • GEOSC 021: Biodiversity and Earth (3)
     
     
2. REQUIRED courses (9-10 credits, semesters 5-8):
   • ASTRO 140: Life in the Universe (3)
     ----OR----
   • ASTRO 291: Astronomical Methods and the Solar System (3)
     
   • GEOSC 204: Geobiology (4)
     ----OR----
   • BIOL 427: Evolution (3)
     
   • BIOL/GEOSC 474: Astrobiology (cross-listed course)
     
     
3. Additional courses (5-6 credits, semesters 5-8):
   • ASTRO 475W: Stars and Galaxies (3)
   • BIOL 405: Molecular Evolution (3)
   • BMB 401: General Biochemistry (2)
   • BMB 402: General Biochemistry (3)
   • GEOSC 416: Stable and Radioactive Isotopes in Geoscience (3)
   • GEOSC 419: Organic Geochemistry (3)
   • GEOSC 481: Solid Earth and Planetary Geophysics (3)
   • METEO 466: Planetary Atmospheres (3)
   • MICRB 201: Introductory Microbiology (3)