UH Astrobiology Teaching, SPRING 2012
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Read more about the University of Hawaii NASA Astrobiology Institute

ASTR281: ASTROBIOLOGY
Stephen Freeland (freeland@ifa.hawaii.edu)
3CR, WAT 420 (Manoa Campus), every Tue/Thur from 12 noon -1:15pm
Course Description: Are we alone in the universe? Modern astronomical, geological, chemical and biological perspectives on this fundamental question. This course, designed for non-majors, will use the combined expertise of the UH NASA Astrobiology research group to introduce the interdisciplinary science of astrobiology. In a series of lectures, discussions and invited speakers, we will explore components of the Drake Equation to help you draw scientifically valid opinions about the origin(s), evolution, distribution and future of life in the universe. Read more...

CHEM657/ASTR657: ASTROCHEMISTRY - MOLECULAR APPROACH
Ralf I. Kaiser (ralfk@hawaii.edu)
Course Description: The ultimate goal of this class is to understand and to predict the fundamental chemical and physical processes leading to the formation of molecules ranging from diatomics (H2) to complex, astro-biologically important species (amino acids, sugars) in the interstellar medium and in our Solar System - both in the gas phase (e.g. molecular clouds, star forming regions, atmospheres of planets and their moons) and in the solid state (interstellar grains, icy planets and moons, comets). A detailed understanding of these processes is imperative to correctly interpret data from astronomical observations and from actual space missions and to develop realistic models how distinct interstellar and Solar System environments are processed chemically.e. Read more...

AST740: Astrobiology Seminar
Stephen Freeland (freeland@ifa.hawaii.edu)
1CR, PSB211 (Manoa Campus), every Monday from 3:30pm to 4:30pm
Course Description: This is the weekly seminar series for the University of Hawaii node of the NASA Astrobiology Institute (NAI), and can be taken for 1 credit by combining regular attendance with production of 3 abstracts and then a 5-page paper that expands upon one or more of the seminar presentations. Topics vary by semester, but each seminar presents some aspect of current research in astrobiology and relates to one or more of the following topics: astronomy, astrophysics, planetary sciences, geosciences, cosmochemistry, astrochemistry, biochemistry, evolution, microbiology, molecular biology, environmental science, oceanography, atmospheric sciences, information science and computer science. Presenters include UH faculty drawn from diverse departments (Astronomy, HIGP, Chemistry, Oceanography, Microbiology, Marine Biology etc.), UH NAI post doctoral fellows and visiting speakers from other institutions (including JPL, NASA, mainland universities and international universities). Read more...

ASTR777: Star and Planet Formation
Bo Reipurth (reipurth@ifa.hawaii.edu)
2CR, Fern Room (IFA Manoa), every Monday from 1:00 to 2:30 PM
Course Description: This course will primarily review our current understanding of the formation of the Sun, solarlike stars, and their planets. We will discuss the collapse of molecular cloud cores, the properties of protostars, the formation and propagation of supersonic jets and outflows, the different types of young stars, the birth of brown dwarfs, the evolution of young stars towards the main sequence, planet formation, the origin of the solar system and meteorites. Read more...

MICR795: The Evolution of Protein Synthesis
Stephen Freeland (freeland@ifa.hawaii.edu)
3CR, Fern Room (IFA Manoa), every Monday from 1:00 to 2:30 PM
Course Description: This course will review primary scientific literature that has emerged to explain how, when and why genetic coding has evolved on our planet. We will discuss the history of this thought, current perspectives on the origin of genetic coding, the emergence of a standard genetic code and the continuing evolution of the genetic code - both in natural lineages and in the laboratories of synthetic biology engineers. The final grade will consist of one written exam, one written paper, one class presentation, and weekly class participation (weekly readings of primary literature). Read more...

Courses in the past