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Course

High School: Astrobiology

SCI-90038

Unlock the mysteries of life beyond Earth through astrobiology exploration.

 

If there is life beyond our planet, what does it look like? Astrobiologists try to answer that question in part by looking at how organisms have evolved to live in the most extreme environments on Earth.
 
We will survey locations on Earth where conditions approach the limits of survival – places like Antarctica’s ancient red waterfall, the deadly Crystal Caves in Mexico and the Challenger Deep. Students will learn about adaptations that allow organisms to live in these harsh environments. They will get an introduction to extremophile microbes such as diatoms, tardigrades and nematodes. We will also look at conditions on some of the potentially habitable planets that astronomers have discovered and consider the potential for past or present life on these planets. Students will design a planet that could sustain life and plan an astrobiology mission to Mars.

What you'll learn

  • Gain insight on what extraterrestrial life might look like by learning how organisms have evolved in extreme environments on Earth.
  • Learn about the characteristics of potentially habitable planets beyond Earth.
  • Explore the conditions that are necessary for life to exist.
  • Survey extreme environments on Earth, including the Challenger Deep, polar deserts and Crystal Caves of Mexico.
  • Learn about the adaptations that allow life to survive in these extreme places.
  • Look at different kinds of extremophile microorganisms.
  • Review the history of NASA’s efforts to find extraterrestrial life.
  • Design a planet that could sustain life and plan an astrobiology mission to Mars.

Course Information

Live Online
1.50 units
$175.00

Course sessions

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Section ID:

188820

Class type:

Synchronous web-based class meetings that are scheduled to meet online at published times (time/date).

Textbooks:

All course materials are included unless otherwise stated.

Policies:

  • No refunds after: 5/31/2025
  • 1st meeting mandatory
  • Early enrollment advised
  • No UCSD parking permit required
  • No visitors permitted

Schedule:

Date Day Start End
7/21/2025 Mon 9:00 a.m. 12:00 p.m.
7/22/2025 Tue 9:00 a.m. 12:00 p.m.
7/23/2025 Wed 9:00 a.m. 12:00 p.m.
7/24/2025 Thu 9:00 a.m. 12:00 p.m.
7/25/2025 Fri 9:00 a.m. 12:00 p.m.
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Instructor: Joseph Kennedy

Joseph Kennedy
Born in New York and raised in San Diego, Joseph F. Kennedy is an architectural designer and fine artist. Joseph is well-known for his writing, photography and ink illustrations in the award-winning Art of Natural Building and other publications. He is a two-time winner of publication grants from the Graham Foundation for Advanced Studies in the Fine Arts. He has taught design around the world in both community and academic settings, most recently as a professor at the NewSchool of Architecture in San Diego, where he taught architectural design studio and graphic representation for many years. He is a pioneer in the natural building and tiny house movements, and is currently developing new ideas for creating sustainable communities, not only on Earth, but on the Moon and Mars as well.
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