This course is aimed at physics and other science students who would like to understand the astrophysics background to the multi-disciplinary question of Life in the Universe.
Abstract
Nature of Life and thermodynamics; the evolution of stars and the origin of the chemical elements; planet formation and interstellar chemistry; searches for extra-solar planets; impacts and mass extinctions on Earth; extra-terrestrial Life in the Solar System; searches for extraterrestrial Life and extraterrestrial intelligence (SETI); Cosmology and the conditions for Life; Anthropic Principles.
Learning objective
Content
This course is aimed at physics and other science students who would like to understand the astrophysics background to the multi-disciplinary question of Life in the Universe. Topics to be covered will include: the nature of Life and the thermodynamics of living systems and the general conditions for Life; the formation and evolution of stars and the origin of the chemical elements; planet formation and interstellar grain chemistry; extra-solar planets; Life on Earth and the role of catastrophic impacts; the possibility of extra-terrestrial Life in the Solar System; searches for extraterrestrial Life and extraterrestrial intelligence SETI; Cosmology and the conditions for Life in the Universe, Anthropic Principles. The course will be in English.
