Last modified: 23 Jul 2024 10:43
This course will explore the origins and likely extent of life on Earth and in the Solar System. We will begin by discussing the elements and building blocks of life and processes that can make precursors of life (e.g. amino acids). We will then discuss how microbial life may be fossilised and how to identify ancient and extra-terrestrial signs of life. We will make use of our excellent analytical facilities to show how biotic signals can be distinguished from abiotic effects, including exploring organic carbon biomarkers, and using examples of fossilisation of microorganisms by siliceous and carbonate minerals from lakes, streams, hot-springs and oceans. From there, we will be able to explore potentially habitable environments of our Solar System, and learn about current and future astrobiological exploration missions (Martian rovers and orbiters, asteroid, comets, sample return, ocean worlds…)
| Study Type | Postgraduate | Level | 5 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Term | Second Term | Credit Points | 15 credits (7.5 ECTS credits) |
| Campus | Aberdeen | Sustained Study | No |
| Co-ordinators |
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Outline of Topics:
Astrobiological exploration missions: review of instrument observations and interpretation (Martian rovers and orbiters, asteroid, comets, sample return, ocean worlds…)
Information on contact teaching time is available from the course guide.
| Assessment Type | Summative | Weighting | 40 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Assessment Weeks | Feedback Weeks | |||
| Feedback |
Plan for an Astrobiological exploration mission that incorporates techniques learned on the course. |
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| Knowledge Level | Thinking Skill | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Procedural | Create | Enhance visual presentation skills |
| Procedural | Evaluate | Plan analytical field or lab work relevant to astrobiology, and then evaluate its success |
| Reflection | Evaluate | Challenge published investigations and interpretations against own observations and deductions |
| Reflection | Evaluate | Enhance critical thinking and reasoning skills |
| Assessment Type | Summative | Weighting | 40 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Assessment Weeks | 35 | Feedback Weeks | 36 | |
| Feedback |
Written feedback followed by individual discussion |
|||
| Knowledge Level | Thinking Skill | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Conceptual | Analyse | Undertake morphological analysis of samples using imaging techniques including microscopy |
| Conceptual | Understand | Understand the relationship between life and the environment |
| Conceptual | Understand | Understand the fundamentals of emergence, evolution and future of life and implications for life in other planets |
| Procedural | Apply | Learning and applying analytical techniques, such as XRF analysis |
| Reflection | Evaluate | Enhance critical thinking and reasoning skills |
| Assessment Type | Summative | Weighting | 20 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Assessment Weeks | 34 | Feedback Weeks | 34 | |
| Feedback |
Form completed by examiners to be provided to student following presentation, with reflective discussion |
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| Knowledge Level | Thinking Skill | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Conceptual | Analyse | Undertake morphological analysis of samples using imaging techniques including microscopy |
| Conceptual | Understand | Understand the relationship between life and the environment |
| Conceptual | Understand | Understand the fundamentals of emergence, evolution and future of life and implications for life in other planets |
| Procedural | Apply | Learning and applying analytical techniques, such as XRF analysis |
| Reflection | Evaluate | Enhance critical thinking and reasoning skills |
There are no assessments for this course.
| Assessment Type | Summative | Weighting | 100 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Assessment Weeks | Feedback Weeks | |||
| Feedback | ||||
| Knowledge Level | Thinking Skill | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
|
|
||
| Knowledge Level | Thinking Skill | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Conceptual | Understand | Understand the fundamentals of emergence, evolution and future of life and implications for life in other planets |
| Conceptual | Understand | Understand the relationship between life and the environment |
| Procedural | Apply | Learning and applying analytical techniques, such as XRF analysis |
| Conceptual | Analyse | Undertake morphological analysis of samples using imaging techniques including microscopy |
| Procedural | Evaluate | Plan analytical field or lab work relevant to astrobiology, and then evaluate its success |
| Reflection | Evaluate | Challenge published investigations and interpretations against own observations and deductions |
| Reflection | Evaluate | Enhance critical thinking and reasoning skills |
| Procedural | Create | Enhance visual presentation skills |
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