P111 Course Assignments
  The Physics of Extraterrestrial Life and Death  
C. J. Horowitz, Spring 2003

First Week: Jan. 13-17, 2003

Text, Bruce Jakosky, "The Search for Life on Other Planets": Read Chapter 1, The search for life in the universe, pages 1-15.  Course Packet: Read "T.rex and the Crater of Doom", pages 59-76.
 

Second Week: Jan 22-24, 2003

Note, no class Jan. 20 for Martin Luther King day.
Text: Read chapter 2, Impacts, extinctions, and the earliest history of life on Earth, pages 16-34.
Course Packet: Read "The Perfect Machine", pages 77-101.
List of Web Sites and class videos: Start looking at some web sites related to the class.  Prepare a list of five that you find good and write a paragraph on each telling what is there, why you liked it and how it relates to the class. Also view at least one of the class videos (http://cecelia.physics.indiana.edu/video/E105videos.html) and describe it in one sentence.  Due Friday Jan 24, 2003.
 

Third Week: Jan 27-31, 2003

Text: Read chapter 3, The history of the Earth, pages 35-53.
Course Packet: Read "Alchemy of the Heavens", pages 25-58.
Pre-project Essay: In one or two typewritten pages discuss some of the events important for life on earth between the Big Bang and the evolution of man. Due Friday Jan. 31, 2003.
 

Fourth Week: Feb 3-Feb 7, 2003

Text: Read chapter 4, The Earth's geological record and the earliest life, pages 54-71.
Course Packet: Read "Vital Dust", pages 1-23.
Think about your class project.
 

Fifth Week: Feb 10-14, 2003

Text: Read chapter 5, Energy and life in unique environments on Earth, pages 72-92.
Course Packet: Read p115-126 of course packet about searching for life where there is water.
Your project proposal will be due Fri. Feb. 14. This is a one or two page paper listing your topic, a short description of what you would like to do and a small amount about possible sources.  See P111 Class Project   for information and suggestions for your project.
 

Sixth Week: Feb 17-21, 2003

Text: Read chapter 6, Origin of life on Earth, pages 93-109.
Course Packet: Review "T.rex and the Crater of Doom", pages 59-76.
 

Seventh Week: Feb 24-28, 2003

Text: Read chapter 7, Requirements for extraterrestrial life, pages 110-118.
Course Packet: none.
Midterm is Friday March. 7.

Eight Week: Mar 3-Mar 7, 2003

Text: Review chapter 2, pages 16-34.
Course Packet: Read pages 127-134.
MIDTERM FRIDAY MARCH 7.

Ninth Week: Mar 10-14, 2003

Text: Read chapter 13, Exobiology in the Jupiter System, pages 208-227.
Course Packet: Pages 115-126.
 

Tenth Week: Mar 17-21, 2003

Enjoy Spring Break!
 

Eleventh Week: Mar 24-28, 2003

Text: Read chapter 8, Is life on Mars possible? pages 119-141.
Course Packet: Pages 103-114.

Project background:  This is a 3-5 page paper due March 28, 2003. Discuss how your project relates to the themes in the class. In general discuss as much of the science in class as possible.  This is also your chance to discuss related topics you won't cover in your project.  Example:  Your project is on manned mission to Mars.  For your background you could discuss what is the probability for life to arise given suitable conditions (liquid water).  IE we would go to Mars to explore for past life and this would have important implications on the probability for life to arise elsewhere.  Include information on your sources.
 

Twelfth Week: Mar 31- Apr 4, 2003

Text: Read chapter 9, Possible fossil martian life in meteorites from Mars, pages 142-159.  Optional: Read chapter 10, Implanting life on Mars, pages 160-171.  This is about terraforming Mars.
Course Packet: none.
 

Thirteenth Week: Apr 7-11, 2003

Text: Read chapter 14, Formation of planets around other stars, pages 228-243.  Also read chapter 15, Searching for planets around other stars, pages 244-259.
Course Packet: Pages 143-149.
 

Fourteenth Week: Apr 14-18, 2003

Text: Read chapter 16, The habitability of planets around other stars, pages 260-275.
Course Packet: none.
 

Fifteenth Week: Apr 21-25, 2003

Text: Read chapter 17, Intelligent life in the universe, pages 276-292.
Course Packet: none.
Class Project due April 25, 2003.  See Class Project   for details.

Sixteenth Week: Apr 28- May 2, 2003

Text: chapter 18, Life in the universe, pages 293-309.
Course Packet: none.

Final Exam: May 9, 2003

The final exam is Friday May 9 at 8:00-10:00. It will cover all of the material in the
class but will focus more on things since the midterm.