LIFE ON OTHER WORLDS
Fall 2002 * TR 2:30 - 3:20 pm * 430 Aderhold Learning Center
Instructors
Dr.
Douglas R. Gies
Department of Physics and Astronomy
719 One Park Place Bldg.
Tel: 404-651-1366
E-mail: gies@chara.gsu.edu
Dr. W. Crawford Elliott
Department of Geology
340 Kell Hall
Tel: 404-463-9548
E-mail: geowce@panther.gsu.edu
Dr.
John E. Houghton
Department of Biology
416 Science Annex Building
Tel: 404-651-0549
E-mail: biojeh@panther.gsu.edu
"Sometimes I think we're alone in the universe, and sometimes I think we're
not. In either case, the idea is quite staggering."
- Arthur C. Clarke,
science fiction writer (1917- )
Course Notes
- August 20: The Search for Life on Other Worlds (Chap. 1)
- August 22: Galaxies and the History of the Universe (Chap. 2,6)
- August 27: The Birth of Stars and Planets (Chap. 3)
- August 29: Life and Death of Stars (Chap. 4,5)
- September 3: Test 1 on lectures from Aug. 20 to Aug. 29.
- September 5: Formation and Evolution of the Earth (Elliott) (Chap. 8,11)
- September 10: Structure and Tectonics of Earth (Elliott) (Chap. 8,11)
- September 12: Cosmic Impacts (Elliott) (Chap. 8,11)
- September 17: Mars (Chap. 13,14)
- September 19: Terraforming Mars
- September 24: Moons of Giant Planets (Chap. 15)
- September 26: Test 2 on lectures from Sept. 5 to Sept. 24 (Chap. 8, 11, 13, 14, 15).
- October 1: Fundamentals of Life (Houghton) (Chap. 7)
- October 3: From Fundamentals to Origins (Houghton) (Chap. 7,8)
- October 8: Development of Biological Diversity (Houghton) (Chap. 7,8)
- October 10: Evolution (Houghton) (Chap. 7,8,9)
- October 15: Probing Evolution through the Fossil and Genetic Record (Houghton) (Chap. 7,8,9)
- October 17: Evolution and Origin (Houghton) (Chap. 7,8,9)
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October 22: Test 3 on lectures from Oct. 1 to Oct. 17 (Chap. 7, 8, 9).
Bring your answers to Dr. Houghton's Bonus Questions based on the PBS Evolution Series. - October 24: Earliest life on Earth (Elliott) (Chap. 8,11)
- October 29: Life in Extreme Environments (Chap. 9)
- October 31: Is Earth Unique? (Chap. 16)
- November 5: Planets Around Other Stars (Chap. 17)
- November 7: Extraterrestrial Civilizations (Chap. 18)
- November 12: Life Beyond Earth (part 1)
- November 14: Life Beyond Earth (part 2)
- November 19: Test 4 on lectures from Oct. 24 to Nov. 14 (Chap. 8, 9, 11, 16, 17, 18, and the "Life Beyond Earth" video).
- November 19: Interstellar Spaceflight (Chap. 19)
- November 26: Interstellar Radio and Television Messages (Chap. 20)
- December 3: Where is Everybody? (Chap. 22)
Please complete the class evaluation at www.gosolar.gsu.edu
Final Exam
- Tuesday, December 10, 2:45 pm
- 100 True/False and Multiple Choice questions
- Comprehensive
Essay Assignment
- Write an essay about the Rare Earth debate.
- Exchange essay with another student before Tuesday, October 29, 2002
- Essay due to Dr. Gies, Tuesday, November 5, 2002
Textbook
You can learn more about the book at the publisher's Web site:
http://www.uscibooks.com/gold.htm
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