An Upper Level Astrobiology Course with Discussion Sections

Abstract

ASTR 380, Life in the Universe, has been offered here every semester since the mid-seventies. One of four upper level, special topic classes for junior and senior non-science students, the enrollment in ASTR 380 always reached the maximum of 80 students per section. A few years ago, as a result of a change in University requirements, the enrollment dropped to 20–30 students per section. Taking advantage of this situation and keenly aware of student interest in examining certain aspects of the course content more closely, I decided to teach the course with an additional hour per week devoted to a discussion section. While ASTR 380 is the only one of the four upper level classes to have a discussion section, students have enthusiastically seized the opportunity to discuss specific areas of astrobiology.