Academic Year 2018/2019

Course contents

Module I: History of astrobiology. Astrobiology in society: mission and exploration. Definition of life. Earth-Moon Formation. Impact craters and meteorites. Evolution of the geosphere and habitability during the Hadean and Archean Eons. Origin of life and Archean fossil record. Extreme environments and extremophiles. Geomicrobiology and microbial palaeontology. Microscopy applied to trace of life. Planetary protection.

Modulo II: Origin of the Universe and Solar System formation. Habitability of planetary bodies. Habitability of Mars and ice Moons. Europa, Titan and Enceladus. Methods and strategies for trace of life detection in our solar system and exo-planets.

Readings/Bibliography

Lectures (pdf) are available for students, they also contain suggestions for further readings on the covered topics.

Other suggested books:

- Cockell, 2015. Astrobiology: Understanding Life in the Universe. Wiley-Blackwell, 472 pp.

- Gargaud et al., 2012. Young Sun, Early Earth and the Origins of Life: Lessons for Astrobiology. Springer, 301 pp.

Teaching methods

Classroom (5 credits) and lab. activities (1 credit)

Assessment methods

Written examination.

Teaching tools

Traditional lessons, lab. on microscopy technics applied to the study of microbial paleonotology.

Office hours

See the website of Barbara Cavalazzi

See the website of Roberto Orosei