ASTRONOMY 2141 - LIFE IN THE UNIVERSE - SP26, Class Number 27261
                 Scott Lab E125,  MWF  11:30-12:25 PM
                  
 

  Professor :  Anil K. Pradhan     Teaching Associate/ Inst. Asst.
               4017 McPherson Lab  Vincent Smedile / Brandon Lam 
               292-5850            4020 McPherson Lab
               pradhan.1@osu.edu   semdile.1@buckeyemail.osu.edu
 Off hrs: Tuesday 12:30-1:30 PM    Via zoom or in person by appt    
   
 Homepage: www.astronomy.ohio-state.edu/~pradhan  (Click on 'Astronomy 2141')

 My office hours are Tuesdays 12:30-1:30 pm via zoom and by appt at:
https://osu.zoom.us/j/4028128638?pwd=ekM4ZHBucGlTTnNmVk1pcnVMbmhqZz09
 Please email first to schedule

Recommended Textbook: 1. ASTRONOMY TODAY, Chaisson and McMillan (6th
edition or later),
2. life in the universe, bennett and shostak (4th edition or later).

Required Reading source material for in-class discussions and homework:

OpenStax Astronomy, Fraknoi, Morrison, Wolff,
https://openstax.org/details/books/astronomy

The Planet Factory: Exoplanets and the Search for a Second Earth by 
Elizabeth Tasker tells the story of exoplanets. This book is on reserve at the 
Thompson Library (on the Oval). ISBN-10 1472917723 ISBN-13: 978-1472917720

Rare Earth: Why Complex Life is Uncommon in the Universe (Peter Ward and 
Donald Brownlee), is a synthesis work about life in the universe. This 
book is on reserve at the 18th Avenue Library. ISBN-10 0387952896 ISBN-13: 
978-0387952895

Internet and AI resources: Use of ChatGPT, Google-AI, or similar platforms is
encouraged for homework and in-class material,
but NOT allowed during examinations. Be aware that AI-generated
answers may be incorrect or inaccurate, especially
for multiple-choice exams where the questions
and answers are deliberately phrased to appear alike or close.

Fieldwork: Arne Slettebak planetarium shows, Director: Wayne Schlingmann
Dates, times and topics on OSU Department of Astronomy Outreach:
https://planetarium.osu.edu/

                       PREREQUISITES
The prerequisites for this course are completion of the Natural Science GE 
Foundation and math at the level of Math 1050. The math in this course will 
not go beyond understanding simple algebraic expressions with
equations and geometrical or mathematical reasoning, but not required to solve
problems except basic arithmetic (multiplication, division, square or cube). 
The concepts themselves will be challenging, and translating into equations and 
back is what you will learn during the course. The GE 
foundation pre-requisite is waived for students taking this course to satisfy 
the legacy GEL requirement (formerly Astronomy 1141). However, students should 
be aware that the material will be presented at a higher level than 
foundations courses, and they should consult with their advisor and/or the 
course instructor to ensure that they have adequate preparation for the 
course.

                       COURSE OVERVIEW
          (Detailed outline is posted on the website daily)

 Mid-Term Tests - Friday: Jan 30, Feb 27, Mar 27, Apr 24 (35 min duration)
 In-class quizzes - Wednesdays prior to mid-term tests: Jan 28, Feb 25, Mar 25
or Mar 18, Apr 22 (5 questions, 10-min duration at the end of class, reflecting 
a sample of questions to appear on the following mid-term test).

  FINAL EXAMINATION: May 1, FRIDAY, 12:00-1:45 PM
  All comprehensive final exam, 100 multiple choice questions

 N.B.: The 4 mid-term tests (35 min, 35 multiple choice questions) 
will have questions on material covered in the lectures in the 
previous ~3-week period.  Lowest test score will be dropped and 3/4 count 
towards final grade. The lectures will cover most topics in the text, but 
not all, and not always in the same order as the chapters listed above.
The lowest test score is discounted (no makeups except emergencies). 
Please keep all tests and grade sheets until the final grade. 


 Grading: 3/4 Tests = 45%, Final (100 Q's, Comprehensive) = 30%,
3/4 in-class 10-min 5-question quizzes = 10%, 3 Fieldwork+Homework
Assignments = 15%.

 Fieldwork: (i) Determine approximate proportion of distances
between planets between markers on the campus, (ii) attend 2/3                 
planetarium shows.

 Homework: (i) Compare measured inter-planetary 
distances (relative to Earth-Sun) with         
those determined by Copernicus (5%), (ii) write a 1-page, 10-point 
description of each of the two planetarium shows and the eclipse (10%).

 GRADES: 1-49 = E, 50-56 = D, 57-59 = D+, 60-62 = C-, 63-71 = C,
 72-74 = C+, 75-77 = B-, 78-83 = B, 84-86 = B+, 87-89 = A-, 90-100 = A.

 COURSE GOALS and OBJECTIVES: GE Theme - Origins and Evolution

 Astronomy 2141 is a General Education Curriculum (GEC) course in 
natural sciences designed for understanding basic scientific methodology 
applied to understanding Life in the Universe.

 Understanding the theories and methods of modern astronomy,
investigating the relationship between science and technology.

 To investigate the basic facts, principles, theories and methods of
modern science as practiced in astrophysics: To learn important events in the 
history of astrophysics, to explore recent studies of extra-solar planets 
and search for life; to consider the effects of
human activity on the Earth.

 Humanity has always wondered about our place in the Universe and the 
possibility of life elsewhere - raison d'detre for astronomy as a science.
 Up to about 30 years ago only one planetary system with life
was known. Today we know of nearly 5000 planetary systems around other 
stars, many completely different than our own. The explosion of knowledge 
about possibly billions of planets around other stars has moved the question, 
(also known as Fermi's paradox): How can we be alone?

 Hitherto, speculation and science fiction is now the forefront of 
astronomical research in the 21st century.
The search for other Earths has emerged as one of the primary 
research questions driving the planning for new observatories and space 
missions. 

 Life in the Universe is an introduction to 
Astrobiology for non-science majors. The topics covered in this course lie at 
the intersections between Astronomy, Chemistry, Biology, and the Earth and 
Planetary sciences. We will learn about scientists' ongoing quest for answers 
to some of the most fundamental human questions: How did life originate on 
Earth? Is there life on other worlds? Are we alone in the universe? 
What is the long-term future of life in the universe?

The course covers three primary topics:
The emergence and nature of life on the Earth
The potential for life on other planets in our Solar System
The search for habitable worlds and life around other stars in our Galaxy.

The first half of the course will largely cover basic science concepts in the 
astronomy context. 
 
 Detailed topics, dates of quizzes, and other information will be posted 
on the daily outline.


 ACADEMIC MISCONDUCT: It is the responsibility of the Committee on Academic
Misconduct to investigate or establish procedures for the investigation of all
reported cases of student academic misconduct wherever com
mitted; illustrated by, but not limited to, cases of plagiarism and cheati
ng on exami nations. Instructors shall report all instances of alleged
misconduct to the committee (Faculty Rule 3335-5-487). For additional 
information, see the Code of Student Conduct (studentaffairs.osu.edu/pdfs/csc
12-31-07.pdf).

 DISABILITY SERVICES: Students with disabilities that have been certified by
the Office for Disability Services will be accommodated; plea
se inform the professor as soon as possible of your needs. The Office for Disa
bility Studies is located in 150 Pomerene Hall, 1760 Neil Avenue, telephone
292-3307, TDD 292-0901, www.ods.ohio-state.edu.