Astrobiology, Minor

Program Code: ABIOL_UMNR

Program Description

Astrobiology is the study of life in the universe. Astrobiology has become a major focus of scientific research in the United States and a topic often discussed in popular science literature and the general media. The Astrobiology minor is designed to educate students in this interdisciplinary field covering the varied scientific disciplines that contribute to our general understanding of life, the origin of life, the past history of life on Earth, possible futures for life on Earth, and the possible existence of life on other planetary environments. The principal goal of the minor is to develop students' literacy in astrobiology so that they can critically evaluate claims related to this field that they encounter well after their college education has ended.

What is Astrobiology?

Astrobiology is a field devoted to the exploration of potential life outside of Earth and to the investigation of the origin and early evolution of life on Earth. This may include studying ancient Earth rocks that serve as examples of what could have happened to planets in different galaxies, studying meteorites or samples from other bodies in our solar system for indicators that suggest they could or may once have supported life, or observing planetary bodies outside of our solar system to determine if they might exist under appropriate conditions to potentially support life as we know it.

You Might Like This Program If...

  • You want to know more about how life on Earth started.
  • You like learning about microbes and other simple forms of life.
  • You want to understand what kind of environment is necessary for life to survive.
  • You want to know about the environmental limits or “extremes” under which life can exist.
  • You're interested in learning about the potential for life on other planets.

Program Requirements

Requirement Credits
Requirements for the Minor 18-19

At least 6 credits must be taken at the 400 level.

Requirements for the Minor

A grade of C or better is required for all courses in the minor, as specified by Senate Policy 59-10. In addition, at least six credits of the minor must be unique from the prescribed courses required by a student's major(s).

Prescribed Courses
Prescribed Courses: Require a grade of C or better
BIOL/GEOSC 474Astrobiology3
Additional Courses
Additional Courses: Require a grade of C or better
ASTRO 140Life in the Universe Keystone/General Education Course3
or ASTRO 291 Astronomical Methods and the Solar System Keystone/General Education Course
EARTH 2The Earth System and Global Change Keystone/General Education Course3
or GEOSC 21 Earth and Life: Origin and Evolution
GEOSC 204Geobiology3-4
or BIOL 427 Evolution
Supporting Courses and Related Areas
Supporting Courses and Related Areas: Require a grade of C or better
Select 6 credits of the following:6
Stars and Galaxies
Molecular Evolution
General Biochemistry
General Biochemistry
Stable and Radioactive Isotopes in Geosciences: Introduction
The Organic Geochemistry of Natural Waters and Sediments
Planetary Atmospheres
Introductory Microbiology

Academic Advising

The objectives of the university's academic advising program are to help advisees identify and achieve their academic goals, to promote their intellectual discovery, and to encourage students to take advantage of both in-and out-of class educational opportunities in order that they become self-directed learners and decision makers.

Both advisers and advisees share responsibility for making the advising relationship succeed. By encouraging their advisees to become engaged in their education, to meet their educational goals, and to develop the habit of learning, advisers assume a significant educational role. The advisee's unit of enrollment will provide each advisee with a primary academic adviser, the information needed to plan the chosen program of study, and referrals to other specialized resources.

READ SENATE POLICY 32-00: ADVISING POLICY

University Park

Jacob Hoover
Undergraduate Program Coordinator
542 Deike Building
University Park, PA 16802
814-865-7791
undergrad@geosc.psu.edu

Contact

University Park

DEPARTMENT OF GEOSCIENCES
503 Deike Building
University Park, PA 16802
814-865-6711
contact@geosc.psu.edu

https://www.geosc.psu.edu