Week
|
Topic
|
Weeks Assignment
|
| January 13-17 |
Introduction and Genesis. |
Introductory questions [Friday, Jan. 17] |
| January 22-24 |
Genesis, The Big Bang and the Origin of the Universe. |
Course web sites and videos [Friday, Jan. 24] |
| January 27-31 |
Stars, Origin of Chemical Elements in Supernovae (gigantic stellar
explosions). |
Pre-Project Essay [Friday, Jan. 31] |
| Feb. 3-Feb. 7 |
Origin of Life on Earth. |
Thoughts on origin of life. [Friday, Feb. 7] |
| February 10-14 |
Evolution and Mass Extinctions. |
Project Proposal [Friday, Feb. 14] |
| February 17-21 |
Age of Universe, Review, Introduction to Comets, Asteroids and Impacts. |
Ages [Friday, Feb. 21] |
| February 24-28 |
Kepler and Newton's Laws of Motion for Comet and Asteroid Orbits. |
Questions on Kepler's laws [Friday, Feb. 28] |
| March 3-7 |
K/T Impact and Death of Dinosaurs, Present Day Impact Threat. |
Midterm [Friday,
March 7]
|
| March 10-14 |
Shoemaker Levy 9 Impact with Jupiter. |
SL9 impact questions [Friday, Mar. 14] |
| March 17-21 |
Spring Break
|
|
| March 24-28 |
Finish Impacts then Mars exploration. |
Project background [Friday, March 28] |
| Mar. 31 - Apr. 4 |
Answer to Mars Rock ALH84001? |
Do you believe ALH84001? [Friday, Apr. 4] |
| April 7-11 |
The Search for Planets Around other Stars. |
Extrasolar planet questions [Friday, Apr. 11] |
| April 14-18 |
Search for Extraterrestrial Intellegence (SETI) and Drake Equation
Try
This Drake Calculator |
Drake equation example [Friday, Apr. 18] |
| April 21-25 |
Are We Alone? [A Debate] |
Project [Friday,
Apr. 25]
|
| Apr. 28-May 2 |
Review and Conclusions. |
Course comments [Friday, May 2] |
Final Exam is Friday May 9 at 8:00-10:00
|