assignments
due Fri Sep 5
Assignment 1
The topic of this meeting is Solar System layout and formation:
- Your assignment is to find some material about this topic read it and write a short (one page) summary of your reading.
- The goal of the assignment is not for you to cover all aspects of the solar system or of the solar system's formation, but select one aspect you find particularly interesting and and study it in depth.
- Take into account that this should be done at a college level, but it is only a weekly assignment, so focus on one or two articles, without overwhelming yourself too much.
Some key words/sentences on this topic that can help your search:
Molecular cloud
Planetesimals
Kuiper belt objects
Oort Cloud
Formation of terrestrial planets
Formation of jovian planets
Formation of the asteroid belt
Frost line
Formations of moons
- Do not focus on a single planet we will study in more detail the properties of a number of planets during the rest of the semester.
- You can use one or more references, but be sure to cite every resource you use, and bring the original article to class on friday.
- To make a summary doesn't mean to cut and copy sentences from your source. The write up must be done using with your own words!!!
due Fri Sep 12
Assignment 2
The topic of this class is What's life.
- Take notes highlighting what in your opinion are the most important points in the article
- Do some research around the aspect of the article that has been assignment to you (see below [**]).
- Write down at least two questions or comments that you think will help the class discussion.
[**] Here are the topics, you can work together, but it is not mandatory; if you don't see your name please choose one of the topics and let me know your choice by email:
Emma H, Emma R, Matteo, Garret, Christopher:
Here are a number of options (choose one):
The section "Definitions" (page 328) of the article talks about things "that are commonly called "definition"".
a) Select two objects and define them using all the various kinds of definition listed in the article.
b) You can search some of the material around this topic in more depth.
c) You can decide to read one of the appendixes in more depth.
Please send me an email as soon as you choose what you would like to do, so that I can post it here and we will avoid too many repetitions.
Erik, Nick, Forrest, Mazie, Salvatore, Dylan : In the section "Attempts to Define Life" of the article, a number of definitions are mentioned (e.g Metabolic definition). Your assignment is to study in more detail one or two of these definitions (or other definitions of life not mentioned here). You should find some (at least two) examples of things you don't consider alive that would be defined as a living thing using this definition, also try to find living things that are not included in the definition (if there are any). You should also come to class with an opinion on why the definition you are analyzing works or not.
Please send me an email as soon as you choose one definition, so that I can post it here and we will avoid too many repetitions.
due Fri Sep 19
Assignment 3
The topic of discussion this week is "The Habitability of Earth".
I used the book "Life in the Universe" by Bennet and Shostak. A copy of this book is in the library on the reserve shelf.
The class agenda will be:
- 30/40 minutes: Sara’s Presentation
- 40 minutes: group’s presentations
Some geological features are important for the existence of life (Volcanism, Plate tectonics, Earth's magnetic field). To understand the probability that these features exist in other worlds, we needs to study how these geological features work, and why they are present on the Earth. With this goal in mind, we need to study the geological history of Earth.
During the presentation I will give you some background on the "history of earth and life". We will talk about how to use rocks and fossils to study the history of our planet.
Your assignment is to read material about how Volcanism, Plate tectonics, and Earth's magnetic field are connected with life on Earth, and bring this material to class.
- You are divided in groups (see below). You must collaborate with the people in your group. You can switch topics if you like, but a) you need to find someone willing to switch and take your place b) you need to let me know.
- Each of the topics has a section on the book "History of Life". I suggest that you to read that section as starting point. There is only one book on the reserve shelf, so, please read your section and bring back the book, so everybody in the class can use it. Starting from this reading, collect more sources and information on the topic. You can focus more on one aspect, but remember: people in the class have various backgrounds, so you will need to give everybody the tools to understand the material you are presenting. This means that you need to explain in simple words how the process your are talking about works.
- Take notes. These notes are part of you grade. Although you work in groups, indivuduals must turn in notes, and these notes must reflect each individual’s own understanding.In other words, your notes should not duplicate another student’s notes. See here to review how to take notes:
- You can decide to bring to class a few images or a presentation to help you in the class discussion. It will be helpful, If you send me the presentation or the images the night before, so that we don't have to change the computer linked to the projector.
Groups and Topics (Please, let me know if you don't see your name):
- Emma R, Sam B., Erik Volcanins and earth atmosfere
- Nick, Matteo, Dylan Earth Magnetic field
- Mazi, Emma H, Forest Plate tectonic in stabilizing climate
- Mikaela, Salvatore Ice age and Snowball Earth
Please contact me if you have any questions.
due Fri Sep 26
Assignment 4
Reading: Life in the Universe, Chapter 5: sections 5.2, 5.3 and the first two parts of 5.4 (through & including “How is heredity encoded in DNA?”). Login too see it! the login is on the upper right corner:
Assignment
Prepare written responses to the following questions, on the topic assigned to your group, and be prepared to discuss the reading in class. You may work as a group, but you must turn-in your own responses.
- What are some ways you could describe metabolism or genetic material to a general audience?
- What are defining features of metabolism or genetic material?
- How universal are metabolism or genetic material in life on Earth?
- How are genetic material and metabolism connected?
- Group metabolism: Dylan, Salvatore, Emma H, Erik, Sam B.,
- Group genetic material: Emma R, Matteo, Mikaela, Mazi, Forest, Nick
due Fri Oct 3
Assignment 5
Reading:
A copy of the book Life in the Universe on the reserve shelf, another copy of this section is in the dropbox with my name (Salimbeni) located in the library (This copy is accessible at any time).
During this class, we will discuss a conclusion of last week’s topic - proteins, metabolism, genetic material - and then we will have a discussion of the RNA world. Be prepared for the discussion. Prepare written responses to the following questions:
- What do we mean by an "RNA world"?
- Why do scientists suggest that such a world preceded the current "DNA world"?
- Briefly summarize current ideas about the sequence of events through which life may have originated on Earth.
due Fri Oct 10
Assignment 6
Be prepared for the discussion. Prepare written responses to the following questions:
- In your opinion what are some of the major evolutionary novelties (Ernst Mayr defined novelties as “any newly acquired structure or property that permits the performance of a new function, which, in turn, will open a new adaptive zone” ) throughout the evolution of life and why?
due Fri Oct 17
Assignment 7
In this class we will focus on Mars, we will study its characteristics and habitability.
Your assignment is composed of three parts:
- Use the NASA’s Mars website to compile a table with the properties of Mars and Earth (e.g. distance from the sun etc…). Compare the properties you listed and write a paragraph discussing how in your opinion the different properties of the two planets affect their habitability.
- Read the fallowing Press release . What is the position of NASA toward evidence of life in the meteorite ALH84001? Write one or two paragraphs summarizing this press release.
- Select a recent news article (max 2 years old) about Mars from NASA’s news page about Mars . You should select something that you consider fun and interesting. I will not collect notes about this article, but you will share it with the rest of the class. You will have 3 minutes to talk about it. Some items in this webpage are proper articles (some have videos as well) others are just short announcements, you must choose a news article with some substance.
due Fri Oct 24
Assignment 8
During this lesson we will focus mainly on the moons Europa and Titan.
Reading (Including videos, and all the tabs (introduction, virtual tour, Atmosphere etc) in the Titan's webpage ):
Prepare a written answer to the following questions:
- Describe the evidence suggesting that Europa has liquid water ocean beneath its icy crust.
- What energy source can be available to life on Europa?
- Based on recent data, describe the main features of Titan and how they could affect its habitability.
due Fri Oct 31
Assignment 9
During this class we will focus on defining the habitability zone, and understanding what factors affect its size, distance from the star and evolution. In this context we will compare the habitability of Venus and Earth
Reading:
Write a response for the following questions:
- How would you define habitable zone and what, in your opinion, are the main factors that affect the size and distance of the habitable zone from a star?
- Discuss how, in your opinion, the distance of Venus from our sun affects its habitability.
- Here more information about Europa: "Hubble Space Telescope Sees Evidence of Water Vapor Venting off Jupiter Moon"
due Fri Nov 7
Assignment 10
Last day for submitting late work for assignments 4 & 5
This week we will focus on the search for life outside the solar system.
Reading:
Write a respond for the following questions:
- Write one or two paragraphs describing one of techniques used to detect extrasolar planets. Discuss what are in your opinion the pros and cons of the technique you selected.
- Discuss if in your opinion the observed extrasolar planets imply that Earth-like planets are rare.
Select a news article at the following link to present to the rest of the class;
due Fri Nov 14
Assignment 11 - NOV 14
Final deadline for assignments 6 and 7
In this class we will focus on the search for intelligent life:
Reading (For the files login before to click on the link!):
Please write an answer for the following questions:
- Define and discuss each of the terms in the Drake's equation.
- What do you think a first contact protocol should include?
- Select a topic or news article related to the search for intelligent life and SETI to share with the class. You are allowed to select one of the topics of the reading as well. You will have to explicitly state your sources.
due Fri Nov 21
Assignment 12 - NOV 21
Final deadline for assignments 8 and 9
This week Amer will join the class discussion. We will focus on the implication of extraterrestrial life on religion.
It will be a discussion class, so read very carefully the articles listed. I will not ask for written notes but I suggest that you:
- take notes for yourself
- highlight the important sections of the article
- highlight parts that you think you may quote during the discussion
- write down thoughts you would like to share and questions
Each one of you will have to come to class with two written meaningful discussion questions. Your grade it will be based on class participation and on the questions you bring.
Reading (Login before to click on the links):
due Fri Dec 5
Assignment 13 - DEC 5
Final deadline for assignments 10, no assignment will be accepted after Dec 10
Select a topic connected to one of the concepts presented during this semester. You will have to present the topic to the rest of the class.
Rules to follow:
- You can decide to review one of the topics covered or to present some news articles connected with the subject.
- Each one of you will have about 5 minutes to give a presentation
- You can decide to work as a group. In this case you will have 5 minutes times the number of people in the group to give your presentation
- You presentation must be supported by slides. You will have to send me the presentation by the end of Thursday. Please save your presentation in a pdf file. I will accept ppt files or keynote files if you have animations that cannot be saved as a pdf file.
- You have a short time for the presentation, so you should do a nice job analyzing the material and select those concepts that are important for people to understand and have a sense of what you are talking about. I don't expect that you are an expert in the subject but I expect that we can have a discussion about your presentation. You have to build some background knowledge that is not limited to what you are saying in class.
- You can bring notes as a support for your presentation
Suggestions on how to build a slide presentation:
- Remember you are telling a story, connect the content of the various slides in a clear way
- Put the topic you are presenting in a context. If the topic you present involves some concepts of physics don't assume that everyone will know what are you talking about unless it is something extremely basic.
- Avoid making your slides too crowded. It is best to have one important message per slide.
- Avoid to many words, and if you write something it should be clear.
- Use diagrams instead of sentences to express concepts as much as you can. They are more immediate to look at, and people will not get distracted while reading and they will listen to you more carefully
- Your slide should support your word. If someone gets distracted for a second they should be able to go back on track by watching your slides.
- The number of slides depends on how much time you will spend on each one of them. I generally count 1 minutes per slide average. The best way to know if you are short or long is to test your presentation.
- If there is a plot describe it in detail.
- a check list for your slides:
- More information on the book " Trees, maps and theorems'' on reserve in the library
GRADE FOR THE WHOLE CLASS
