- Docente: Barbara Cavalazzi
- Credits: 6
- SSD: GEO/01
- Language: Italian
- Teaching Mode: Traditional lectures
- Campus: Bologna
- Corso: Second cycle degree programme (LM) in Geology and Territory (cod. 9073)
Course contents
- Astrobiology, life and space missions
- First billion of years on Earth
- Habitability and origin of life
- Archean fossil record and biosignatures
- Earth life, rise of oxygen, mass extinctions
- Extreme environments
- Planetary habitability
- Planetary geology
- Astrobiology of Mars and exoplanets
- Future of ife
Field activity focusing in mapping and sampling a site of astrobiological interest. Samples collected will be studied via SEM-EDX for biosignatures detection.
Readings/Bibliography
PDF of the lectures will be available (via AMS campus) during the semester.
Suggested books for further readings:
- Cavalazzi, Westall, 2019. Biosignatures for astrobiology. Springer, 347 pagine.
- Rossi, van Gasselt, 2018. Planetary Geology. Springer, 433 pagine.
- Cockell, 2015. Astrobiology: Understanding Life in the Universe. Wiley-Blackwell, 472 pagine.
- Kolb, 2014. Astrobiology: An Evolutionary Approach. CRC Press, Taylor & Francis Group, 504 pagine.
- Gargaud et al., 2012. Young Sun, Early Earth and the Origins of Life: Lessons for Astrobiology. Springer, 301 pagine.
Teaching methods
Traditional lectures, seminars, lectures/exsercises in the museum and in the field, seminars.
Assessment methods
The exam will consist in preparing a critical report of the field and lab activities.
Teaching tools
Slide projections, PC, lab. experience, visit at the Museum of Mineralogy-BiGeA Dept., follow-up material and readings, online contents.
Office hours
See the website of Barbara Cavalazzi