About this course: Learn about the origin and evolution of life and the search for life beyond the Earth.
Created by: The University of Edinburgh
Taught by: Charles Cockell, Professor
Astrobiology
| Language | English |
| How To Pass | Pass all graded assignments to complete the course. |
| User Ratings |
Syllabus
WEEK 1
Life and Its Origins
What is life and what are the definitions of life? What do we know about the origin of life and what are the current hypotheses for how it originated on the Earth?
9 videos
Graded: Introduction and History of Astrobiology
Graded: Life: The Basics
Graded: Origins of Life
WEEK 2
Life on Earth
What was the environment of early Earth like when life first emerged and what do we know about life on the earliest Earth? How did life evolve to cope with survival in extreme environments? What have been the major evolutionary transitions of life on the Earth...
7 videos
Graded: Life on the Early Earth
Graded: Life Through Time
WEEK 3
Habitable Environments Elsewhere in our Solar System?
What are the prospects for life on other planetary bodies in our Solar System and how do we go about searching for it? What conditions are required for a planet to be habitable?
7 videos
Graded: The Habitability of Mars
Graded: Life and Icy Bodies
WEEK 4
The Search for Habitable Exoplanets
How do we search for Earth-like planets orbiting distant stars and how would we detect life on them?
5 videos
Graded: The Search for Exoplanets
Graded: Biosignatures on Exoplanets
WEEK 5
Extraterrestrial Intelligence
What are the possibilities for intelligent life elsewhere? How would we deal with contact with an extraterrestrial intelligence and what would be the impact on society? Who would represent Earth?
4 videos
Graded: The Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence
Graded: Societal Implications of Contact with ET
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Ratings and Reviews
Excellent teacher, very interesting course material, I would definitely recommend this to fellow students who are interested in gaining extra knowledge in the field. Thank you!
Great-
Nice, comprehensive and complet. I recommend it for its content and didactic quality
Loved this course! For us that are not scientist the lectures were very easy to follow and the instructor makes it accessible and interesting. I definitely want to know more about the subject. I'm so sad that it's over!!!
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YG
I have learned a lot in this course and I'm so happy I took it...Mr. Cockell is a very good speaker and taught in a very simple yet effective way. A must do if you are considering astrobiology for your future career.