Unit information: GEOS204: Life, the Universe and Everything (3 cps). Prerequisites: 12 cps

Convenor:
A/Prof Simon George  Simon.George@mq.edu.au     02 9850 4424            E7A 519

Unit Description

This is a broad-based interdisciplinary science unit which aims to present a non-technical overview of recent ideas in science. Many of these ideas, but not all, relate to astrobiology, which is about the origin of life on Earth and the possibility of finding life elsewhere in the universe. The presentation will be suitable for students without any science background. The unit will:
•      Present an integrated view of science across a broad range of disciplines (geoscience, biology, cosmology, chemistry).
•      Look at some of the “Big Questions” (e.g. Origin of the Universe, What is Life?, Are We Alone?, Early Earth Environments).
•      Present science as it is actually done, not just as a set of facts.
UUnit assessment is weighted towards three assignments and weekly assessed practicals, with just 30% on an exam.

This unit was ELS204 in 2007, and utilises some material from the 2003-2007 GEOS309 Astrobiology unit. The unit usually attracts a wide range of students from many different departments. Although having some prior science units would be an advantage, it is not necessary as the material is taught assumming no prior knowledge. Astrobiology is an interdisciplinary subject involving aspects of astronomy, geology, biology and chemistry; few students (or indeed staff!) have a background in all of these areas. In previous years some students with limited and no science background have done very well on this unit. From 2010 this unit is one of Macquarie University's "Planet" units.

The Unit will be presented in 4 broad themes:
1.  Life and The Universe: (Cosmology, Astronomy and Space, Geoscience). What is Life? Concepts about the origin of life. Origin of the Universe, formation of the Solar System.
2.  Life and rocks on Early Earth: (Geoscience). Formation of the Earth; Early Earth environments and the first billion years of life; complex organic molecules on Earth.
3.  Life elsewhere, biology of life: (Biology, Geoscience).The environments of the planets. Molecular biology and predictions about the earliest organisms.
4.  Geochemistry, SETI: (Chemistry, Astrobiology). Biomarkers as proxies for life; The chemistry of space; Are We Alone?

Why Choose Life, the Universe and Everything?
If you are interested in finding out about the origin of life on Earth and the possibility of finding life elsewhere in the universe, you will find this unit informative, interesting and challenging.

Key Learning Outcomes
The key learning outcomes for this unit are:

• Understanding the origin of life on Earth and the possibility of finding life elsewhere in the Universe.
• Understanding of scientific methodology.
• Competence in accessing, using and synthesising appropriate information.
• Understanding that scientific knowledge is always advancing and changing.
• Distinguishing between complex and sometimes mutually exclusive hypotheses.
• Application of knowledge to solving problems and evaluating ideas and information.
• Capacity to present ideas clearly with supporting evidence.