- Level Foundation
- Duration 11 hours
- Course by The University of Edinburgh
-
Offered by
About
Learn about the origin and evolution of life and the search for life beyond the Earth.Modules
Introduction and History of Astrobiology
1
Assignment
- Introduction and History of Astrobiology
3
Videos
- Welcome
- Introduction
- History of Astrobiology
Life: The Basics
2
Videos
- What is Life?
- Life on Earth
Structure of LIfe
2
Videos
- Structure of Life: Building Blocks
- Structure of LIfe: Cells
1
Quiz
- Life: The Basics
Origins of Life
1
Assignment
- Origins of Life
3
Videos
- Origins of Life: Building Blocks
- Origins of Life: Location
- Origins of Life: Alternative Chemistries
The Early Earth
4
Videos
- Formation of the Solar System
- Conditions on the Early Earth
- Evidence of Early Life
- The Tree of Life
1
Quiz
- Life on the Early Earth
Life Through Time
1
Assignment
- Life Through Time
3
Videos
- Life in Extreme Environments
- The Rise of Multicellularity
- The Great Oxidation Event
Life on Mars
4
Videos
- What Makes a Planet Habitable?
- The Search for Life on Mars
- Mars as a Location for Life
- Could We All be Martians?
1
Quiz
- The Habitability of Mars
Europa, Enceladus, and Other Icy Bodies
3
Videos
- Europa
- Enceladus
- Other Icy Bodies
1
Quiz
- Life and Icy Bodies
The Search for Exoplanets
1
Assignment
- The Search for Exoplanets
2
Videos
- Methods
- Types of Planets
Biosignatures
1
Assignment
- Biosignatures on Exoplanets
3
Videos
- Biosignatures of Life in Exoplanet Atmospheres
- How to Look for Biosignatures
- Missions to Search for Biosignatures
Making Contact
1
Assignment
- Societal Implications of Contact with ET
4
Videos
- Is There Anybody Out There?
- Contacting Extraterrestrial Civilizations
- The Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence
- The Social Dimension
1
Readings
- Post-Course Survey
1
Quiz
- The Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence
Auto Summary
Discover the origin and evolution of life and explore the search for extraterrestrial life in this foundational Astrobiology course by Coursera. Ideal for science enthusiasts, the 660-minute course offers engaging content with a Starter subscription.

Charles Cockell