Course Description:

This course is a laboratory complement to the lecture course "Life in the Universe" (AST 183), a multi-disciplinary exploration of modern scientific inquiry into the question of life's origin, evolution, and future place in the universe. We will carry out a hands-on introductory study of primary evidence that has shaped a modern scientific view of life's place in the universe. This course uses the exceptional environment of Northern Arizona - its dark skies, deep stratigraphic exposures, meteor impact record, volcanic terrain, and nearby halophilic organisms as a unique laboratory wherein students will have direct contact with the kinds of data used to draw diverse astrobiological conclusions. Focus will be on 1) the astronomical setting for life as we know it, 2) nearby stars and the prospects for life, 3) environmental impact of comets, meteorites, and asteroids in the solar system, 3) the sedimentary record of life's evolution, 4) the environmental impact of volcanic structures on planetary surfaces and atmospheres, and 5) Halophilic and thermophilic extremophiles and the range of life's environments. The primary thematic focuses is Environmental Consciousness with some emphasis on Technology and Its Impact. When taken with AST 183, this course is a liberal studies course in the Laboratory Science distribution block. It will pay particular attention through assessment to critical and creative thinking, quantitative analysis, use of technology, and scientific inquiry.

• From dark-sky observations, students will be able to identify and spatially visualize the cosmological setting of life on Planet Earth, including the orientation and simple motions of the Earth in the plane of the solar system, our location and orientation in the Milky Way Galaxy, and the location of the nearest galaxies. (scientific inquiry, critical and creative thinking)

• Students will be able to explain evidence for the distances to the nearest stellar systems, identify spectral types and their evolutionary pathways, and draw inferences about their suitability for harboring extraterrestrial life (creative and critical thinking, quantitative analysis, use of technology, and scientific inquiry)

• Students will exhibit mastery of first-hand evidence for past and current influx of solar system materials in the form of crater morphology and surface densities together with meteor shower count rates. From quantitative considerations of related orofessional studies, they will draw conclusions about the positive and negative impact of exogenous materials on life (Environmental Consciousness, scientific inquiry, critical and creative thinking, quantitative analysis)

• Students will be able to explain how the chronology of ancient evolution is inferred from stratigraphic principles, sedimentary rock analyses, and radio-isotope age-dating (Environmental Consciousness, scientific inquiry, critical and creative thinking)

• Students will be able to identify extremophilic halophiles in the terrestrial environment and make inferences about their possible survival in similar solar system environments (Environmental Consciousness, scientific inquiry, critical and creative thinking)

This class is primarily a laboratory class (to accompany AST 183 for lab science credit). A 3-hour in-class lab session will be held for consecutive weeks during which 3 fields trips are carried out on dates listed below.

Course Outline:

Jan 11 -- Course Intro and Logistics

Mar 28 -- Introduction to the Celestial Sphere

Apr 4 -- Introduction to Sedimentary Rock Layers

Apr 12 -- Field Trip (All day) - Grand Canyon (Counts as 2 labs)

Apr 19 -- Field Trip - Sunset Crater and Meteor Crater (Counts as 2 labs)

Apr 25-27 -- Field Trip - Stratigraphy of Grand Staircase, Nearby Stars and Meteor Lab. (Counts as 6 labs)

May 2 - Lab Final

Assignments -- Lab Manuals must be purchased from the Phys/Ast office. Individual labs are to be completed and turned in by the following week. Stratigraphy report for grand staircase lab consists of an oral presentation in the field and a written report, due at the time of the final.

Examinations -- Final Lab exam on May 2

Grading System -- Lab assignments will comprise 80% of the grade; final exam will count 20%.

Retests/makeup tests -- No lab makeups unless we have been weathered out of a night astronomy lab. In the latter case, single-evening astronomy labs will be scheduled for make up.

Attendance -- Attendance at field trips and in-class labs is mandatory for credit.

Statement on plagiarism and cheating -- This course requires professional and ethical behavior. Plagiarism, or any form of cheating, violates this principle and will not be tolerated. The University regards acts of academic dishonesty as very serious offenses. Students charged with academic dishonesty are subject to the Arizona Board of Regents Code of Conduct and Procedures established by NAU.