Search for Life in the Universe

1. Search for Life in the Universe Organization AST 248, Spring 2007

2. Everything is on the Web • No need to copy slides! It’s all on the Web: • http://pixon.com/ayahil/07SP_AST248 (case-sensitive & the gap is an underline _) • You can also navigate from the Web site of the Department of Physics & Astronomy • Don’t copy the slides: they are on the Web • Do write down verbal information that is not on the slides AST 248, Spring 2007

3. Summary Movie AST 248, Spring 2007

4. Course Description • Course embarks on scientific analysis of • Conditions for the development of life • Probability that extraterrestrial life exists • Our ability to find such life • Whether other forms of life have found us • Prerequisites: • Self-contained course: no specific prerequisite • One D.E.C. category E course • High-school mathematics and science AST 248, Spring 2007

5. Schedule & Teachers • Lecture: TuTh 3:50-5:10, ESS 001 • Lecturer: Professor Amos Yahil • E-mail: Amos.Yahil@stonybrook.edu • Office: ESS 461 • Office hours: Tu 11:2012:15, or by appointment • Telephone: (631) 632-8224 • TA (grading and help): Hyunoo Shim • E-mail: hshim@grad.physics.sunysb.edu • Office: Physics A-108 • Office hours: M 3:004:00 & W 4:00-5:00, or by appointment • Telephone: (631) 632-4072 AST 248, Spring 2007

6. Textbook & Web Site • Bennett, J., & Shostak, S. 2003, “Life in the Universe”, 2nd edition (Reading, MA: Addison-Wesley) • IMPORTANT NOTE: do not use the 1st edition • Associated Web site: http://wps.aw.com/aw_bennett_liu_2 AST 248, Spring 2007

7. Course & Textbook Parts • LIU 13: Introducing Life in the Universe Jan 23  Feb 13 • LIU 46: Life on Earth Feb 15  Mar 8 • LIU 710: Life in the Solar System Mar 13  Apr 12 • LIU 1113: Life Among the Stars Apr 17  May 3 AST 248, Spring 2007

8. Exams • Midterm 1 (15% of the course grade) February 13, in class: LIU chapters 13 • Midterm 2 (15% of the course grade) March 8, in class: LIU chapters 46 • Midterm 3 (15% of the course grade) April 12, in class: LIU chapters 710 • Final (35% of the course grade) May 10, 5:007:30 PM, Location TBA: entire lecture material, LIU chapters 113 AST 248, Spring 2007

9. Quizzes • Home quiz assignment for each of chapters 113 • Quiz grade is 20% of course grade and is based on the 10 best quizzes • Submit quiz answers on Stony Brook Optscan forms (NCS answer sheets) • Due in class on Thursdays according to schedule on the Web • Late submittals will be rejected AST 248, Spring 2007

10. Grades • Grades are posted on the course Web site • We may not use your student ID, or any part of it, when posting the grades • We therefore need a 4-digit Personal Identification Number (PIN) from you • Please send e-mail to the TA with your name, student ID, and 4-digit PIN • In case of conflict with another PIN, you will be asked for a new PIN AST 248, Spring 2007

11. Students with Disabilities • If you have a physical, psychological, medical or learning disability that may impact your course work, please contact Disability Support Services, ECC (Educational Communications Center) Building, room 128, (631) 632-6748.  They will determine with you what accommodations are necessary and appropriate. All information and documentation is confidential.Students requiring emergency evacuation are encouraged to discuss their needs with their professors and Disability Support Services. AST 248, Spring 2007