In this course we will address fundamental questions of the natural world including: Are we alone?, Is life common or rare in the Universe?, How do we go about looking for life elsewhere? and What is the future of life on Earth and beyond?
To wrestle with these questions we will take an interdisciplinary planetary science approach that involves the content, origin and evolution of the Solar System and the potential for life elsewhere. That is to examine the chemical and physical aspects of habitability, the overarching characteristics of life, the physical and chemical conditions for life and so on. We will draw on material from planetary and Earth science, chemistry, biology, astronomy and physics. Additionally, students will gain insight into how scientists unravel the meaning of experimental and observational evidence. This course emphasizes the scientific method helping students hone their critical thinking skills.
Spring 2018 TR 11:00-12:15pm
Why take astrobiogeochemistry?
ENVS180A astrobiogeochemistry
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Meet The Professor:
Felisa Wolfe-Simon
Chan-Norris Distinguished Visiting Professor
Department of Chemistry and Physics
Mills College
Who I Am
Dr. Wolfe-Simon did her undergraduate work at Oberlin College and Conservatory of Music where she graduated with a B.A. in Biology (Chemistry) and a B.M. in Music Performance. She went on to earn her Ph.D. in Oceanography from Rutgers University. She has been recognized with numerous academic honors inlcuding being a Kavli Fellow from the U.S. National Academy of Science, a NASA Fellowship and a National Science Foundation Postdoctoral Fellowship. She has authored or co-authored more than a dozen scientific publications and her work has been published in or covered by Science, Nature, The New York Times, The Washington Post, NPR, the BBC, Wired and Time among others.
Dr. Wolfe-Simon has also garnered a number of popular accolades including TED speaker, named one of the Time 100 in 2011 and featured in Glamour magazine. Schedules permitting, she helps when she can with various media outlets indluding PBS, the BBC, Discovery Channel and NOVA. She also regularly speaks at museums and schools.
For more information, go here.
What I Do
Dr. Wolfe-Simon spent more than 15 years as a research scientist. Some of her work attracted international attention. Since that time, she has committed her life to helping train the next generation of scientists. She is focused on teaching and scientific outreach at all academic and interest levels.
Watch my TED talk here.