4.9
stars
402 ratings

Chris Impey

25,035 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 (206 Ratings)

Chris Impey

Distinguished Professor

Astronomy

223,092 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%(3,051 ratings)

Week

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 Worlds2m

Introduction to Week 1 - Planets in the Solar System and Beyond3m

Exoplanets21m

Planet Formation19m

Planets and Moons16m

Our Solar System13m

Hot Jupiters and Planet Migration17m

Water Worlds18m

Census of Exoplanets in the Milky Way19m

1 reading

Course Participation and Motivation Survey10m

7 practice exercises

Exoplanets15m

Planet Formation10m

Planets and Moons10m

Our Solar System10m

Hot Jupiters and Planet Migration10m

Water Worlds10m

Census of Exoplanets in the Milky Way10m

Week

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 Exoplanets1m

Gravity and the Doppler shift13m

The Radial Velocity Method15m

The Transit Method12m

Learning from Observations8m

Planet Composition8m

Microlensing, Imaging & Selection Effects16m

6 practice exercises

Gravity and the Doppler shift20m

Radial Velocity Method20m

The Transit Method15m

Learning from Observations10m

Planet Composition15m

Microlensing, Imaging & Selection Effects15m

Week

Week 3

4 hours to complete

Habitability

4 hours to complete

7 videos (Total 96 min)

Week

Week 4

3 hours to complete

Life

3 hours to complete

8 videos (Total 107 min)

Reviews

4.9

164 reviews

5 stars
92.53%
4 stars
5.47%
3 stars
0.49%
1 star
1.49%

TOP REVIEWS FROM ASTROBIOLOGY: EXPLORING OTHER WORLDS

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!

by CTMar 4, 2021

I enjoyed this course so much, I'm actually really sad It has ended. I love how well developed it is, the peer marked assignments are a fun way to apply what you've learned.

by BPJul 2, 2020

This is my first course in coursera. The material and explanation given by the instructor was awesome. I really learned a lot. Peer graded assingments really helped me to knew the concept very well.

by DWSep 11, 2021

Excellent teaching style, easy to digest sometimes-difficult information, tests got to the main points of the sections, instructor has a nice, easy to follow style of delivering info. Great Course!

View all reviews

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Is financial aid available?
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Astrobiology: Exploring Other Worlds

Astrobiology: Exploring Other Worlds

About this Course