4.9
stars
413 ratings

Chris Impey

25,922 already enrolled

Offered By

Astrobiology: Exploring Other Worlds

University of Arizona

About this Course

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How are astronomers approaching their search for life in the universe? What have we learned from the surge of exoplanets discoveries? How likely is it that Earth does not host the only life in the Universe? In this course we explore the field of astrobiology, an emerging multidisciplinary field. Progress in astrobiology is driven by telescopes on the ground and in space, and by new insights on how life emerged on Earth and its diversity. The topics in this course range from the science of how exoplanets are detected, to the chemistry that supports the argument that the ingredients for life are common in the Universe.  
We will follow the analyses of experts in chemistry, astronomy, geology and archaeology to build a strong foundation of understanding.  By the final assignment, students will be equipped with the knowledge necessary to identify what makes a planet habitable, and how likely it is that life exists there. Students will graduate from this course informed about one of the most exciting fields in all of science, and ready to discuss the current exoplanet news stories and discoveries.

Flexible deadlines

Reset deadlines in accordance to your schedule.

Shareable Certificate

Earn a Certificate upon completion

100% online

Start instantly and learn at your own schedule.

Beginner Level

Approx. 24 hours to complete

English

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Flexible deadlines

Reset deadlines in accordance to your schedule.

Shareable Certificate

Earn a Certificate upon completion

100% online

Start instantly and learn at your own schedule.

Beginner Level

Approx. 24 hours to complete

English

Could your company benefit from training employees on in-demand skills?

Try Coursera for Business

Instructor

Instructor rating

4.91/5 (210 Ratings)

Chris Impey

Distinguished Professor

Astronomy

227,077 Learners

3 Courses

Offered by

University of Arizona

The University of Arizona is the state’s land-grant university and a member of the Association of American Universities—made up of just 62 universities in the country. As one of the world’s premier public research universities, the university conducts more than $625 million of research annually. Home to two allopathic medical schools in Tucson and Phoenix, the UA Tech Park, and a member of the Arizona Space Grant Consortium, the university creates an $8.3 billion economic impact for Arizona. U.S. News and World Report placed 14 University of Arizona graduate programs among the top 20 in the nation and it is one of the nation’s top producers of Fulbright Scholars. With its strategic academic and business plan, “Never Settle,” as its guide, the university is producing graduates who are global citizens, engaged leaders, and fulfilled individuals.

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Syllabus - What you will learn from this course

Content Rating96%(3,108 ratings)

Week1

Week 1

4 hours to complete

Planets in the Solar System and Beyond

4 hours to complete

9 videos (Total 132 min), 1 reading, 7 quizzes

9 videos

Welcome to Astrobiology: Exploring Other Worlds2mIntroduction to Week 1 - Planets in the Solar System and Beyond3mExoplanets21mPlanet Formation19mPlanets and Moons16mOur Solar System13mHot Jupiters and Planet Migration17mWater Worlds18mCensus of Exoplanets in the Milky Way19m

1 reading

Course Participation and Motivation Survey10m

7 practice exercises

Exoplanets15mPlanet Formation10mPlanets and Moons10mOur Solar System10mHot Jupiters and Planet Migration10mWater Worlds10mCensus of Exoplanets in the Milky Way10m

Week2

Week 2

4 hours to complete

Hunting for Exoplanets

4 hours to complete

7 videos (Total 76 min)

7 videos

Introduction to Week 2 - Hunting for Exoplanets1mGravity and the Doppler shift13mThe Radial Velocity Method15mThe Transit Method12mLearning from Observations8mPlanet Composition8mMicrolensing, Imaging & Selection Effects16m

6 practice exercises

Gravity and the Doppler shift20mRadial Velocity Method20mThe Transit Method15mLearning from Observations10mPlanet Composition15mMicrolensing, Imaging & Selection Effects15m

Week3

Week 3

4 hours to complete

Habitability

4 hours to complete

7 videos (Total 96 min)

Week4

Week 4

3 hours to complete

Life

3 hours to complete

8 videos (Total 107 min)

Reviews

4.9

168 reviews

5 stars
92.73%
4 stars
5.32%
3 stars
0.48%
1 star
1.45%

TOP REVIEWS FROM ASTROBIOLOGY: EXPLORING OTHER WORLDS

by DBSep 22, 2022

I really enjoyed the course. For me it was the right combination of real life information and data that pushed your thinking and thought processes without making it too difficult to grasp.

by ANJan 19, 2022

Dense, clear and well explained content. This course also propose a multi-disciplinary view of the subject that raises a lot of questions, and a lot of interest in side areas.

by VKMay 26, 2020

I loved this course, especially the peer-reviewed assignments, it was really exciting to write those assignments and review others, which gave me understanding of how other people thinks

by DDFeb 15, 2021

This course has been an amazing experience. Although I would have loved to have classes just to get to know everyone and the professor, it was an insightful course that I would do all over again!

View all reviews

Frequently Asked Questions

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Is financial aid available?
Yes. In select learning programs, you can apply for financial aid or a scholarship if you can’t afford the enrollment fee. If fin aid or scholarship is available for your learning program selection, you’ll find a link to apply on the description page.

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Astrobiology: Exploring Other Worlds

Astrobiology: Exploring Other Worlds

About this Course