PHY 319 - Introduction to Astrobiology - Fall 2006

Note: the schedule, list of topics and associated bibliographic references are subject to change; this page might not reflect those changes. Check with the instructor when in doubt.

Since the textbook doesn't cover the all the topics presented in this course, the consultation of the bibliographic resources listed below and mentioned in lecture is strongly recommended.

Important note: the bibliography shown here is for reference and is given here if one wants to learn more about a certain topic; for example, this list could be a starting point to search for sources for the project. The actual assigned reading list will be given at the end of each lecture. See also a list of Web resources.

Click on the highlighted entry in "Topic" for a summary of the lecture, reading and homework assignments.

Last up-date: 12/7/06

Date


Topic

Bibliographic References

8/28/06

Class 1

Introduction to the Course: What is life? Roadmap to Astrobiology

8/30/06

Class 2

Physics Primer: The Four Forces

9/1/06

Class 3

Physics Primer: Quantum Mechanics
Observational Cosmology I

9/4/06

No Class

Labor Day


9/6/06

Class 4

Observational Cosmology II: The Origin of the Elements


9/8/06

Class 5

Exercises
Nucleosynthesis in Stars:Energy production in stars


9/11/06

Class 6

Star Formation

9/13/06

Class 7

Star Formation and Evolution:energy produciton in stars

9/15/06

Class 8

Star Evolution:continued
  • www.astronomynotes.com
  • sounds of pulsars
  • Am.Sci. Nov.-Dec.'00 v.88, p.498; Am.Sci. July-Aug.'96 v.84, p.342; Science v.276 p.1355-1386 (introductory paragraphs); Am.Sci. Nov.-Dec.'01 v.89, p.506; Sci.Am. July '00, p.66; Am.Sci. Sept.-Oct.'99 v.87, p.418; Sci.Am. June '02 p.46 .

9/18/06

Class 9

Star evolution: Red Giants, Planetary Nebulae, White Dwarfs, Neutron Stars, Supernovae
  • Rev.Mod.Phys. v.73,p.1031 (2001); Annu.Rev.Astron.Astophys. v. 38, p.427-483 (2000)(selected sections)

9/20/06

Class 10

The Interstellar Medium II

Sci.Am. Jan.'02 p.34; Rev.Mod.Phys. v.72,p.1031 (2001) - selected sections; Sci.Am. Dec.'00 p.70; Sci.Am. July'99 p.42; Sci.Am. Aug.'01 p.44

9/22/06

Class 11

The Solar System: Formation and Characteristics of Planets

9/25/06

Class 12

The Solar System: Moons, Meteorites, Comets

9/27/06

Class 13

The Earth: Structure, Composition, Atmosphere, Plate Tectonics

9/29/06

Class 14

The Earth: Evolution

  • Chapter 11

10/2/06

No Class

Yom Kippur

10/4/06

Class 15

Evolution of the Earth

  • Chapter 11

10/6/06

Class16

Elements of Chemistry I

10/9/06

No Class

10/11/06

Midterm exam


10/13/06

Class 17

Exam solutions - Elements of Biology
  • Chapter 4

10/16/06

Class 18

Elements of Biology I

10/18/06

Class 19

Elements of Biology II

10/20/06

No Class

10/23/06

Class 20

Life on Earth: Origins and Evolution I

10/25/06

Class 21

Life on Earth: Origins and Evolution II

 Chapter 8

10/27/06

Class 22

Life on Earth: Origins and Evolution III

 Chapter 9

10/30/06

Class 23

Life in Extreme Environments I

 Chapter 10


11/1/06

Class 24

Life in the Early EarthI
  • Chapter 10
  • Scientific American Jan.2000 issue
  • journal Nature articles: v.409, p.1083 and 1092 (2001))

11/3/06

Class 25

Mars


11/6/06

Class 26

Jovian Moons

  • Chapter 13

11/8/06

Class 27

Saturn's Moons I
  • Chapter 13

11/10/06

Class 28

Saturn's Moons II

  • Chapter 13

11/13/06

Class 29

The Habitable Zone

  • Chapter 14

11/15/06

Class 30

Extrasolar planets

11/17/06

Class 31

Interplanetary and interstellar travel

11/20/06

Class 32

Searches for life
  • Chapter 14

11/22/06

No Class

Thanksgiving Holiday


11/24/06

No Class

Thanksgiving Holiday


11/27/06

Class 33

Presentations

11/29/06

Class 34

Presentations

12/1/06

Class 35

Presentations


12/4/06

Class 36

Presentations


12/6/06

Class 37

Presentations


12/8/04

Class 38

Presentations


Final Exam: Wed, Dec 13, 2:45-4:45pm

Important Note on Bibliographic Resources

In the "Bibliographic References" column, there are listed useful articles or electronic resources that complement what has been presented in class. There might be some overlap among the selected resources. The shifting through this material in looking for the desired piece of information is an important research tool that one needs to master. Some of the selected articles might contain sections where material is presented at a higher level than it is done in class. In lectures, detailed information on which parts are to be skipped will be given. When in doubt, ask!

The bibliographic resources given here are an excellent starting point for the project.

Recommended search engine: google

Listed reference materials are available electronically (in several cases you need to connect from a syr.edu domain or otherwise use a proxy - see libwww.syr.edu for more information) or in print - in the Science and Technology Library (Carnegie Bldg.). Additionally, some material will be distributed in class.

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