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GL5563: ASTROBIOLOGY, BIOGEOCHEMISTRY AND GEOBIOLOGY FOR EXPLORERS (2022-2023)

Last modified: 31 Jul 2023 11:19


Course Overview

This course will explore the origins and likely extent of life on Earth and in the Solar System. We will begin by discussing the elements and building blocks of life and processes that can make precursors of life (e.g. amino acids). We will then discuss how microbial life may be fossilised and how to identify ancient and extra-terrestrial signs of life. We will make use of our excellent analytical facilities to show how biotic signals can be distinguished from abiotic effects, including exploring organic carbon biomarkers, and using examples of fossilisation of microorganisms by siliceous and carbonate minerals from lakes, streams, hot-springs and oceans. From there, we will be able to explore potentially habitable environments of our Solar System, and learn about current and future astrobiological exploration missions (Martian rovers and orbiters, asteroid, comets, sample return, ocean worlds…)

Course Details

Study Type Postgraduate Level 5
Session Second Sub Session Credit Points 15 credits (7.5 ECTS credits)
Campus Aberdeen Sustained Study No
Co-ordinators
  • Dr Alexander Brasier

What courses & programmes must have been taken before this course?

  • Any Postgraduate Programme (Studied)

What other courses must be taken with this course?

None.

What courses cannot be taken with this course?

None.

Are there a limited number of places available?

No

Course Description

Outline of Topics:

  • Elements, precursors and synthesis of life (periodic table, presence of elements in life, amino acids, sugars, lipids, proteins, chirality…)
  • Searching for ancient and extra-terrestrial microbes: biogenicity and biomarkers (techniques including Raman spectroscopy; biomarkers; electron and optical microscopy; stable isotopes; and samples from sites including modern and ancient hot-springs (including the Rhynie Chert), lake and stream deposits, with a day-trip to microbe-fossilising sites within reach of Aberdeen where possible
  • Finding and prioritising potentially habitable environments across the Solar System

Astrobiological exploration missions: review of instrument observations and interpretation (Martian rovers and orbiters, asteroid, comets, sample return, ocean worlds…)


Contact Teaching Time

Information on contact teaching time is available from the course guide.

Teaching Breakdown

More Information about Week Numbers


Details, including assessments, may be subject to change until 31 August 2023 for 1st half-session courses and 22 December 2023 for 2nd half-session courses.

Summative Assessments

Design Project: Individual

Assessment Type Summative Weighting 40
Assessment Weeks Feedback Weeks

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Feedback

Plan for an Astrobiological exploration mission that incorporates techniques learned on the course. 

Learning Outcomes
Knowledge LevelThinking SkillOutcome
ProceduralCreateEnhance visual presentation skills
ProceduralEvaluatePlan analytical field or lab work relevant to astrobiology, and then evaluate its success
ReflectionEvaluateEnhance critical thinking and reasoning skills
ReflectionEvaluateChallenge published investigations and interpretations against own observations and deductions

Lab Report: Individual

Assessment Type Summative Weighting 40
Assessment Weeks 35 Feedback Weeks 36

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Feedback

Written feedback followed by individual discussion

Learning Outcomes
Knowledge LevelThinking SkillOutcome
ConceptualAnalyseUndertake morphological analysis of samples using imaging techniques including microscopy
ConceptualUnderstandUnderstand the relationship between life and the environment
ConceptualUnderstandUnderstand the fundamentals of emergence, evolution and future of life and implications for life in other planets
ProceduralApplyLearning and applying analytical techniques, such as XRF analysis
ReflectionEvaluateEnhance critical thinking and reasoning skills

Oral Presentation: Individual

Assessment Type Summative Weighting 20
Assessment Weeks 34 Feedback Weeks 34

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Feedback

Form completed by examiners to be provided to student following presentation, with reflective discussion

Learning Outcomes
Knowledge LevelThinking SkillOutcome
ConceptualAnalyseUndertake morphological analysis of samples using imaging techniques including microscopy
ConceptualUnderstandUnderstand the fundamentals of emergence, evolution and future of life and implications for life in other planets
ConceptualUnderstandUnderstand the relationship between life and the environment
ProceduralApplyLearning and applying analytical techniques, such as XRF analysis
ReflectionEvaluateEnhance critical thinking and reasoning skills

Formative Assessment

There are no assessments for this course.

Resit Assessments

Resubmission of failed elements

Assessment Type Summative Weighting 100
Assessment Weeks Feedback Weeks

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Feedback
Learning Outcomes
Knowledge LevelThinking SkillOutcome
Sorry, we don't have this information available just now. Please check the course guide on MyAberdeen or with the Course Coordinator

Course Learning Outcomes

Knowledge LevelThinking SkillOutcome
ConceptualUnderstandUnderstand the fundamentals of emergence, evolution and future of life and implications for life in other planets
ConceptualUnderstandUnderstand the relationship between life and the environment
ProceduralApplyLearning and applying analytical techniques, such as XRF analysis
ConceptualAnalyseUndertake morphological analysis of samples using imaging techniques including microscopy
ProceduralEvaluatePlan analytical field or lab work relevant to astrobiology, and then evaluate its success
ReflectionEvaluateChallenge published investigations and interpretations against own observations and deductions
ReflectionEvaluateEnhance critical thinking and reasoning skills
ProceduralCreateEnhance visual presentation skills

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