ASTR 116 Fundamentals of Astrobiology

Introduces students to the fundamentals of astrobiology by providing an overview of the basic physical, chemical, and biological processes that are relevant to the study of the origin, evolution, and distribution of life in the universe. Students investigate the definition of life, its origin and evolution on Earth, the physical properties that make Earth amenable to life, and the generalization of those properties to objects in the solar system and beyond. Students are expected to have declared a science major within the Division of Physical and Biological Sciences at UCSC and have completed their lower-division pre-requisites for that major. Exceptions require instructor approval.