Graduate Certificate in Astrobiology: Student Guide
A
minimum of 15 credits is required for a Certificate in Astrobiology,
including the following courses:
• ASTBIO 501 Astrobiology Disciplines (4 cr)
• ASTBIO 502 Astrobiology Topics (4 cr)
• Three Winter-quarter Astrobiology “in-house”
seminar series (1 cr each)
• One cognate course, approved by the student's advisor, to
ensure sufficient breadth (var. cr)
Additional credits may be earned through:
• A second cognate course
• Preparation course for research rotation (3-10 cr) (if required
by research mentor).
• Autumn/Spring public seminar series (1 cr each)
Additional requirements include:
• One quarter research rotation in an area outside the student’s
home discipline
• Participation in three workshops
• Astrobiology ethics seminar
Also required is
a cumulative GPA of 3.0 for courses required for the Certificate
and a grade of 2.7 or higher for any other course counted toward
the Certificate. A checklist of requirements is appended.
Our
curriculum in Astrobiology is designed to provide a strong interdisciplinary
grounding for each student in the study of astrobiology, irrespective
of the student's primary field of expertise. Each student is provided
with opportunities to develop creative initiative and insightful
approaches to astrobiology research challenges.
The
core curriculum includes two primary courses and a “capstone”
experience comprising a series of annual workshops held at various
field sites and laboratories.
Primary
Courses
ASTBIO
501: Astrobiology Disciplines (4 credits)
Offered every other Autumn Quarter, alternating with ASTBIO 502.
Astrobiology
is the study of the origin of life on Earth and the distribution
of life in the Universe. The cross-disciplinary nature of this
field mandates effective collaboration among biologists, astronomers,
oceanographers, atmospheric scientists, chemists, planetary scientists,
and geologists. To this end, participants are required to understand
the fundamental concepts in all of these disciplines. This course
provides students with a concise background of the subject matter
relevant to astrobiology within these disciplines. Students write
a term paper and give a talk on an astrobiology topic of their
choice.
ASTBIO
502: Astrobiology Topics (4 credits)
Offered every other Autumn Quarter, alternating with ASTBIO 501.
Astrobiology is a rapidly evolving discipline, and this course
is designed to acquaint students with issues of current research
interest. Two or three related segments provide students with
an exposure to astrobiological topics in subjects that are particular
strengths at the UW. Each segment is led by a different faculty
member involved with the particular research under examination.
At least one segment provides information related to the Workshop
scheduled for that year. A lead faculty member is present throughout
the course to provide connections and to coordinate all the segments.
Students do a literature presentation during finals week. Topics
will be taken from a variety of disciplines including, for example,
Earth Sciences (e.g., Archean chemistry, atmospheres and geology,
hydrothermal vents, meteorites and impacts), Planetary Sciences
(e.g., water on Mars, extrasolar planets, Europan ocean), Space
Technology (e.g., Mars biology experiments, Mars exploration,
Moon exploration), and Biology (e.g., origin of life, the Archean
fossil record, extremophiles, mass extinctions).
Capstone
Experience: Astrobiology Workshops (non-credit)
The
annual Astrobiology Workshop is a required two/three-day event
held at a field site or laboratory. These workshops act as a “capstone”
experience in that they provide a unifying experience. Over the
years, by means of the workshops, the student gains experience
in a broad range of physical and biological sciences and interacts
closely with other students and faculty in the Program.
Past
workshops and other AB field opportunities have included (partial
list):
•
Pacific Northwest National Lab, Richland, Washington (1999)
Hands-on experiments concerning subterranean microbial ecosystems
included obtaining (via deep wells) and examining subterranean
samples to assess metabolic activities such as anaerobic CO2 fixation,
sulfate reduction, and hydrogen oxidation. This biological work
was enhanced by geology field tours to understand the context
of the microbial ecosystems.
• NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, California (2000)
Visits were made to labs dealing with microbial mats, the prototype
for the planned Kepler mission to detect transits of extrasolar
planets, and simulation of the conditions for interstellar ices
and organic chemistry. Finally, we carried out an exercise centered
on analyzing imagery in order to evaluate potential landing sites
to search for evidence of life on Mars.
• UW Friday Harbor Lab, San Juan Island, Washington (2001)
Marine biology and paleontology in the San Juan Islands.
•
Eastern Washington (2002)
Extremophiles in Soap Lake; Channeled Scabland and Mars
•
RV Thomas H. Thompson (2003)
Cruise to the Juan de Fuca Plate hydrothermal vents field for sonar-mapping
and sampling experiments
•
Grand Canyon and Meteor Crater, northern Arizona (2004)
Hiking through the Canyon; tour of the Crater
•
Kitt Peak National Observatory, Tucson, Arizona (2005)
Solar astronomy, radio astronomy of interstellar molecules, optical
and infrared astronomy of star-forming regions
Other
Courses and Activities
Cognate
Courses
This is not an exclusive list. Special-topic interdisciplinary graduate
seminars often qualify. Ask your advisor if in doubt.
Astronomy
555/Atm Sci 555/ESS 581: planetary atmospheres
Astronomy 557/ESS 583: origin of the solar system
ESS 450: paleobiology
ESS 588/Atm Sci 588/Ocean 588: global carbon cycle and climate
ESS 517: early Earth evolution
Microbiology 530: microbial diversity
Microbiology 412: fundamentals of microbiology (prokaryotes)
Ocean 523/Atm Sci 508: global biogeochemical cycles
Ocean 530: biological oceanography: bacteria and protozoa
Ocean 534: methods in biological oceanography
Ocean 535: biological oceanography for non-biologists
Ocean 570: marine microbial interactions
Genome Sciences 414: molecular evolution
Genome Sciences 570: construction of phylogenetic trees
Aero & Astro 499: space mission design seminar
Tech Commun 440 or 540: science writing
Astrobiology
Research Rotation (min 3, max 10 cr)
One quarter of research outside the student's discipline is required,
in an AB research group, either at the UW or at another institution.
The topic and mentor for this experience must be approved beforehand
by the Astrobiology Graduate Advisor as being both sufficiently
broadening and relevant to the student’s research interests.
In particular, students in the physical sciences are encouraged
to do their rotation in the biological sciences, and vice-versa.
At the end of the rotation the student will make an oral presentation
of the research accomplished.
Preparatory
quarter. Before the research rotation, a lab techniques course
or reading course may be taken in the intended research area.
In each instance, it will be up to the research supervisor to
determine whether this course is needed or desirable.
Astrobiology
Ethics Seminar (offered triennially)
Every three years the Astrobiology seminar focuses on ethical
questions of particular concern to astrobiologists.
Astrobiology
Seminar (1 credit, Tuesdays 2:30 pm)
A
lecture series on astrobiology research topics. Some quarters,
the lectures are open to the University community and consist
of colloquia mostly by visiting researchers. In other quarters
the focus is on research talks by Astrobiology faculty, postdocs
and students. In Winter Quarter, the seminar series is closed
to the public (“in-house”) and focuses on a particular
astrobiology topic, with tutorial presentations by student participants
under faculty guidance. Past topics have included Planetary Atmospheres,
Origin of Life, and Engineering Aspects of Astrobiology.
Annual
Evaluations of Student Progress
In Spring Quarter each year the Astrobiology faculty review the
progress of each student working towards the Certificate. This
is in addition to any periodical departmental reviews. The review
procedure is as follows.
1)
Prior to the annual evaluation, each student prepares a 1-2 page
report of his/her progress over the previous year in academics,
research, and specifically for the AB Certificate. The latter
is summarized through updating the Checklist of AB Certificate
Requirements (at end of this Guide). This report is discussed
with the primary AB Advisor.
2)
AB faculty meet as a group to discuss each student’s progress
and make recommendations regarding:
(a)
Academic performance
(b) Research progress
(c) Student participation in AB activities and progress toward
meeting AB program requirements
(d) Status of financial support
(e) Status of PhD Committee composition. A minimum of two AB faculty
members should be on the Committee, with representation from both
the biological and physical sciences.
Each
student's primary advisor brings the student's report (and academic
file if necessary) to the meeting in order to lead a discussion
on the student. Should any advisor not be able to attend the scheduled
meeting, a copy of the yearly progress report, including a paragraph
by the advisor addressing items a-e above, is made available to
the meeting.
3)
Faculty advisor meets with student to discuss recommendations
of the AB faculty.
4)
Faculty advisor prepares a final progress report for student's
file, with a copy to the student.
International
Internships
NSF
recognizes the global character of research and education and
the need for students to become globally aware. The IGERT international
internship program was initiated to foster international perspective
and encourage the development of international experience, competence,
and outlook among new generations of US scientists.
Participation
in this program is limited by NSF to IGERT Astrobiology students
who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents. Eligible students
may apply for an internship after their first year of study, when
they have identified their Astrobiology faculty research advisor
and have formulated a research plan. To apply, submit a 2-3 page
proposal, with the concurrence of your Astrobiology faculty advisor,
describing the proposed internship activity and demonstrating
the scientific value it will hold for your research. Internships
are anticipated to last from 3 to 6 months, permiting sufficient
time for the intern to learn new procedures or carry out essential
experimental work. They cannot be used for attending conferences
and workshops.
Applications
for internships are reviewed by the AB Steering Group on an ad
hoc basis. Successful applicants are placed in contact with the
liaison person at the host institution to request permission to
work closely with a specific scientist who will function as the
intern’s research mentor. A written mutual agreement of
responsibilities and activities between the host institution’s
research mentor and the intern’s UW Astrobiology faculty
supervisor is required before the internship can be finally approved.
Internship
support includes roundtrip airfareand limited per diem living
expenses.A small institutional allowance may also be available
to help cover approved research expenses at the host institution.
Upon
conclusion of the internship, the host research mentor will be
requested to prepare an evaluation of the intern’s performance.
Upon their return, interns must submit a written report of their
activities and present a seminar on their research accomplishments.
Internships
may be taken at any foreign location, but the UW AB Program is
developing a special relationship with research institutions near
Bremen, Germany. Good contacts include Professor Bo Jorgensen
at the Max Planck Institute (MPI) for Marine Microbiology, Prof.
Lorenz Thompsen at the International University of Bremen (IUB),
and Prof. Gerhard Dieckmann at the Alfred-Wegener Institute (AWI).
The
MPI for Marine Microbiology is renowned for its studies in marine
microbial processes, including extreme thermal and high-pressure
environments, as well as for the development of technical approaches
for identification and assessment of microbial activities using
fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) techniques and microautoradiography.
IUB has an educational emphasis in Geosciences and Astrophysics,
with research programs on early Earth biogeochemistry and contemporary
biogeological exploration of the deep seafloor using remotely
operated "crawlers." AWI is world-renowned for its studies
of Arctic and Antarctic environments, including facilities to
access extreme sites and to simulate them in the laboratory for
experimental manipulations using state-of-the-art micro-optode
and NMR techniques.
Students
will be informed as these and other international internship opportunities
present themselves.
Funding
for Student Research and Travel
Limited funding is available for approved travel and research support
for AB students. Students should first determine if their needs
can be met through departmental resources (access to computers/software,
lab services, etc.).
Requests for funding are addressed to the Chair of the AB Steering
Committee and must be accompanied by a letter of support from the
student's AB faculty advisor.
Orders for services, equipment or supplies, as well as travel arrangements,
must be coordinated through the Astrobiology Program Office (Nancy
Quense). Otherwise, students may be liable for expenses.
Conference travel
Conferences
in North America are more likely to be supported, although overseas
conferences are possible in unusual cases. Students beyond the first
year must have a poster or talk scheduled on the program.
Research travel
Requests
must be supported in writing by the host lab and the student's AB
faculty advisor. Duties and scope of work must be clearly defined,
and planned costs must be itemized. Unforeseen costs must be approved
in advance of expenditure in order to receive reimbursement.
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