Department of Physics, University of
Utah
Course Number: 1490 (3)
Course Title: Does ET Exist?
- REPRESENTATIVE TEXTBOOK
- The Search for Life in the Universe, Goldsmith & Owen; The Sciences---an
Integrated Approach, Trefil & Hazen
- COURSE DESCRIPTION
- A multidisciplinary science course built around the question "Does ET Exist?"
- CO-REQUISITE
- College Algebra
- OTHER COMMENTS
- Previous exposure to some other science, Chemistry, Physics, Biology helpful but not
essential.
- MANDATORY TOPICS
- Topic 1:
- The Origin of Science
- Topic 2:
- The Big Bang; Origin of Light Elements
- Topic 3:
- Stars: The Production of Heavy Elements
- Topic 4:
- The Origin of Solar Systems; comparative Planetology
- Topic 5:
- The Basis and Emergence of Life on Earth
- Topic 6:
- Life in the Solar System
- Topic 7:
- Factors that Affect the Lifetime of Species
- OPTIONAL TOPICS
- Topic 1:
- The Necessity of Colonizing Space
- Topic 2:
- Space Travel; Eelativity
- Topic 3:
- The Probability of Finding and Estabishing Contact with ET
Prepared by George L. Cassiday (2/18/99)