USU 1360 IPS: Intelligent Life in the Universe

Fall 2008

  

 

Instructor: Tonya B. Triplett

Office Hours: in SER 234 Tuesday and Thursday 1:30-4:00 by appointment.

Class: ESLC 130 12:00-1:15 Tue/Thur

 

Contact: Office 797-8308 message only or secretary at 797-2857

Home (801)397-5738

E-Mail tonya.triplett@usu.edu

 

Text: (Required) Life in the Universe, Second Edition by Bennett and Shostak.

 

Lab Fee: USU 1360 Students were assessed a $5 laboratory fee that is used for upkeep of observatory equipment. This should have been paid at registration.

 

Goal: The most profound questions of the human experience will be asked, and in some cases answered.  How and why did our existence become possible?  Are these conditions necessary for life in general?  Could we find life elsewhere in the universe?  Where should we look?  This course will take a critical look at how science evaluates questions and where the search for life is today.

 

If there is any student in this class who has a disability that will require some accommodation by the instructor, that student should contact the instructor and the Disability Resource Center (797-2444) as soon as possible.  Class notes can be made available in large print, Braille, or audio format.

 

Grading: Your final grade will be determined as follows:

                       

4 Tests                         600

               Observation                     50

               Quizzes                         100

               Media Project                  150

               Classroom Points               100

 

               Total                           1000

 

                       

Tests: will be in class and closed book, closed notes.  Each will be worth 150 points.  The format will be multiple choice.  Please bring a #2 pencil.

 

Final: will be Tuesday, December 11 1:30-3:20 in ENG 103.  It will be worth 150 points and will not be comprehensive.

 

Observation: You must attend the physics department observatory during the semester.  The TAs there will provide a form for you to fill out and operate the telescopes.  The visit is worth 50 points and due date is shown on the schedule.  The observatory is only open on clear nights and hours vary (since it must be dark.)  Call before trying to attend at 797-2942.

 

Quizzes: These points can be earned by taking Blackboard Vista quizzes. Quizzes will be given on line corresponding to each chapter of the text.  Carefully check the schedule as these cannot be made up.   More quiz points are available than will be allowed so that you may accumulate a maximum of 100 points.

 

Media Project: Hollywood has provided many examples of what an alien encounter would do.  During the semester you will watch 3 movies from many possible choices on reserve at the Library or on your own.  You will then complete a review of the movie on Blackboard Vista.  The questions that appear on the review are available on Blackboard for you to print in advance if you wish.  The essay question is intended to be an evaluation of what you have learned during the semester regarding that topic and will be graded as such.  You may substitute another movie with the instructorÕs approval.  Get instructions first.

 

Classroom Points:  We will use a personal response system (i-clicker) in class as instant feedback on knowledge.  Most questions will be graded such that attempting the question is worth points whether or not you get it right.  These points can only be obtained during class and cannot be made up.  You will need your i-clicker to answer.  No amount over 100 points will be allowed.

 

Grade Scale: Grades will be given based upon points earned.

 

 

A         950-1000

A-        900-949

B+        870-899

B         840-869

B-       800-839

C+       770-799

C        740-769

C-       700-739

D+       670-699

D        600-669

F             <600

 




 

 Course Schedule

 

Date

Note

CH

Material Covered

Aug 26

1

1/3

Course Information, Tour of Universe

28

2

1

A Universe of Life?

Sep 2

3

2

Ancient Astronomy

4

4

2

Scientific Method and Astrobiology

09

5

3

History of the Universe

11

6

3

Worlds, Matter and Energy

16

7

1-3

Exam 1

18

8

4

EarthÕs History

23

9

4

EarthÕs Geology and Atmosphere

25

10

5

What is Life? Cells and Metabolism

30

11

5

Metabolism, Heredity, Life at the Extreme

Oct 4

12

6

Origin of Life, Early Evolution and Oxygen

7

13

6

Oxygen, Diversity, Extinction, Human Evolution

09

14

4-6

Exam 2

14

15

7

Requirements for Life, Exploration, Telescopes

16

 

 

FALL BREAK—NO CLASS

21

16

7

Exploring the solar system and a biological tour

23

17

8

Mars History and Fantasy

28

18

8

Searching for life, Meteorites, Ongoing Exploration

30

19

9

Life on Jovian Moons

Nov 4

20, 21

9

Habitability factors Present and Future

6

21

10

Venus and Global Warming

11

22

10

Exam 3

13

23

7-10

The Search for Habitable Worlds

18

25

11

Rare Earth

OBSERVATION DUE TODAY

20

26

12

Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence

25

 27

12

Aliens and UFOÕs

Media Project Due Today

27

 

 

Thanksgiving Holiday

Dec 2

28

13

Interstellar travel

4

29

13

Fermi Paradox

Dec 11

30

11-13

Final Exam 1:30-3:20