ASTRONOMY 111: Introduction to Astrobiology
- Office: Dearborn Observatory #6
- Phone: 491-4516
- Email: davemeyer@northwestern.edu
- Office Hours: MWF 12:30 - 1:30 PM
- Office: Dearborn Observatory #5
- Phone: 491-4661
- Email: g-takeda@northwestern.edu
- Office Hours: MW 3:00 - 4:00 PM
Lectures: MWF at 11:00 - 11:50 PM in Tech
LR3
MID-TERM EXAM: Friday,
April 27, 2007 at 11 AM in Tech LR3 (1 hour)
PAPER DUE: Friday,
May 18, 2007 at 11 AM in Tech LR3
FINAL EXAM: Tuesday,
June 5, 2007 at 9 AM in Tech LR3 (2 hours)
Grading Policy
The course grade will be based on the final (45%) and mid-term (25%)
exams,
the paper (20%), and two "pop" quizzes (10%). The pop quizzes
will
be given without warning twice in lecture during the quarter.
There
will be no make-up quizzes. Since only the highest quiz grade
will
be counted, missing one will not hurt your grade. The exams will
consist of multiple choice, short answer, and essay questions.
The
instructor will schedule review sessions before each exam. In the
case of missed exams, make-ups will only be considered under the direst
of circumstances and will consist of an oral test.
The Paper
In this course, we will discuss exciting new developments in
astrobiology.
The public obtains this information through newspaper and magazine
articles.
As an Astro 111 student, you will be in a position to make informed
judgments
as to the accuracy and reliability of such articles. Your
assignment
is to find a recent (within the past 6 months) article reporting a new
astrobiology discovery in a reputable (no tabloids!) publication and
critique
it. The article you choose should be longer than several
paragraphs.
In your paper, you will provide some background on the astrobiology
covered
in the article, discuss the importance of this new development, and
most
importantly, evaluate the accuracy and reliability of the article based
on what you have learned in this course. Papers that exhibit the
most original thinking and creativity in expression will be viewed most
favorably. The finished product should be 4 to 6 double-spaced
typewritten
pages long and include a xerox copy of the article reviewed. No
papers
will be accepted after the deadline on May 18, 2007 at 11 AM.
Observing Sessions
There will be evening observing sessions every Wednesday night
throughout
the quarter utilizing the historic 18.5-inch telescope in the Dearborn
Observatory. If the weather cooperates, you will have an
opportunity
to view the Moon, planets, nebulae, etc. If not, the TA on duty
will
give you an entertaining tour of Dearborn. Either way, you will
be
exposed to interesting information not easily discussed in a lecture
setting.
Attending at least one of these sessions during the quarter is strongly
encouraged and will be of help on the final exam. Since we can
accommodate
only a limited number of students per session, a prior sign-up will be
in effect after lecture each Wednesday for that night's
observing.
DON'T WAIT UNTIL THE END OF THE QUARTER. The instructor will
inform
you where and when to meet for the sessions.
Course Outline
How Big is the Universe?
(March 26, 28)
What is Life? (March 30,
April 2, 4)
The Origin and Evolution of Life on
Earth (April 6, 9, 11)
Life on Mars? (April 13,
16, 18)
The Europa Conjecture
(April 20)
The Search for Extrasolar Planets
(April 25)
REVIEW SESSION: Thursday,
April 26, 2007 at 7:30 PM in Tech LR3
MID-TERM EXAM: Friday,
April 27, 2007 at 11 AM in Tech LR3
The Search for Extrasolar Planets
(continued) (April 30, May 2)
The Nature of Extrasolar Planets (May 4, 7, 9)
Life on Extrasolar Planets?
(May 11, 14, 16)
PAPER DUE: Friday, May 18,
2007 at 11 AM in Tech LR3
The Search for Intelligent
Extraterrestrial Life (May 18, 21, 23, 25)
REVIEW SESSION: Friday, June
1, 2007 at 11 AM in Tech LR3
FINAL EXAM: Tuesday, June
5, 2007 at 9 AM in Tech LR3