Program Overview

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Program Overview

The University of Copenhagen offers a Master's program in Physics, with a course on Exoplanets and Astrobiology (NFYK16008U).

Course Description

The purpose of the course is to present an understanding of how the complexity of matter has evolved from its simplest forms during the Big Bang to the rise of intelligent life that is capable of understanding its own place in this development.

Course Content

The course covers the following topics:

• Formation of the elements during the Big Bang, supernovae, and red giants
• Dust formation, stellar winds, and the re-circulation of cosmic material
• Formation of the solar system
• Planets around other stars
• The physical-chemical basis for life
• The arise and development of life on Earth
• Conditions for finding life beyond Earth
• The search for extraterrestrial intelligence

Learning Outcome

When the course is finished, it is expected that the student is able to:

• Explain how the simplest material arose and developed into the complex matter of the modern-day universe
• Put our own solar system in context of planetary systems in the Galaxy in general
• Explain the difference between dead and living material and explain what is meant by intelligence and by alien life
• Explain how we at least in principle can identify and communicate with extraterrestrial life forms

Literature

Lecture notes are provided.

Recommended Academic Qualifications

It is expected that you have finished a bachelor's degree in one of the natural science fields, typically physics, astronomy, geophysics, geology, or biology, or in other ways have obtained a similar knowledge.

Teaching and Learning Methods

The course includes lectures, exercises, and group presentations and discussions of chosen larger subjects.

Workload

The workload is distributed as follows:

• Lectures: 48 hours
• Preparation: 129.5 hours
• Exercises: 28 hours
• Exam: 0.5 hours
• Total: 206 hours

Exam

The exam is an oral examination, 30 minutes, without preparation time after drawing one of the approximately 8 known exam questions.

Examination Prerequisites

To pass the exam, it is required that you have participated in one of the large group presentations during the course.

Aid

No aids are allowed.

Marking Scale

The marking scale is a 7-point grading scale.

Censorship Form

There is no external censorship.

Re-exam

The re-exam is the same as the ordinary exam. If the student has not done a group presentation during the course, a new presentation should be given in front of the teacher no later than 2 weeks before the re-exam.

Criteria for Exam Assessment

See learning outcome.

Course Information

• Language: English
• Course code: NFYK16008U
• Credit: 7.5 ECTS
• Level: Full Degree Master
• Duration: 1 block
• Placement: Block 3
• Schedule: A
• Course capacity: No limitation – unless you register in the late-registration period (BSc and MSc) or as a credit or single subject student.

Study Board

The study board is the Study Board of Physics, Chemistry and Nanoscience.

Contracting Department

The contracting department is The Niels Bohr Institute.

Contracting Faculty

The contracting faculty is the Faculty of Science.

Course Coordinators

The course coordinator is Uffe Gråe Jørgensen.