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  • Astronomy and Planetary Science
  • Astrobiology Minor

Contact the Dept. of Astronomy & Planetary Science

Email:
astro​@nau.edu
Call:
928-523-2661
Get application information


Astrobiology, Minor

Students minoring in Astrobiology will benefit from a strong foundation in astronomical, biological, ecological, and environmental principles. This foundation will prepare students for fields in industry, laboratories, research facilities, government organizations, K-12 education, and academia. As a minor, this degree is designed to provide broad perspectives and a foundational appreciation for the scale of space and challenges that may arise in the investigation of astrobiology. Skills including creativity, problem solving, teamwork, and concept integration are emphasized in this degree and would help to broadly and holistically prepare students for their future endeavors, specifically in technological and scientific fields of high and emerging growth. NASA’s recent emphasis on astrobiological research is also evident through the expansion of their Planetary Protection Office and the growing number of astrobiology-related federally funded grants (and new funding programs) awarded over the past decade.

Astrobiology is one of the fastest developing subfields of astronomy and planetary science, with a particular emphasis on the formation of life on Earth and other planets, survival in extreme environments, and the “migration” of life through space. This minor combines a broad astronomical perspective and understanding to students with interests in the formation, evolution, and survival of life on Earth under a variety of environmental conditions. Students minoring in Astrobiology will be prepared to provide a cosmic perspective to more traditional biological and ecological fields, while this strong biological and ecological background will also enable students to truly appreciate the uniqueness of Earth and comparisons to other planetary bodies both within and outside of our own solar system.
 

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Requirements Accordion Open

University Requirements

  • A minor is earned in conjunction with a bachelor's degree.

    To receive a minor (18 to 24 units) at Northern Arizona University, you must complete a planned group of courses from one or more subject matter areas with a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.0. At least 12 units of the minor must be unique to that minor and not applied to any other minor.

Overview Accordion Closed

Overview

In addition to University Requirements:

  • Complete individual plan requirements.

Please note that students may be able to use some courses to meet more than one requirement. Contact your advisor for details.

No more than 50% of the units used to satisfy minor requirements may be used to satisfy major requirements.

Minimum Units for Completion23
Highest Mathematics RequiredMAT 137

Purpose Statement

The purpose of this minor in Astrobiology is to combine a broad astronomical perspective and understanding to students with interests in the formation, evolution, and survival of life on Earth under a variety of environmental conditions.  The wide variety of electives available through this minor option highlights the interdisciplinary nature of this growing field and emphasizes the unique avenues that students can pursue to gain a strong foundational background in this growing field.  Specific courses in microbiology, astronomical scales and perspectives, and biological responses to environmental factors will constitute the bulk of the required coursework.  Students minoring in Astrobiology will be prepared to provide a cosmic perspective to more traditional biological and ecological fields, while this strong biological and ecological background will also enable students to truly appreciate the uniqueness of Earth and comparisons to other planetary bodies both within and outside of our own solar system.

Student Learning Outcomes

Students minoring in Astrobiology will be able to:

  • Critically evaluate the properties and conditions that likely lead to the formation of life at or near planetary surfaces;
  • Understand the linkages between biological evolution and the geological and astronomical conditions that facilitate, promote, encourage, and require such evolution to occur;
  • Describe what makes the Earth unique from the perspective of planetary habitability, and articulate the challenges that must be overcome on other planetary bodies; and
  • Critically evaluate the requirements necessary to perform “traditional” biological and ecological studies on other planetary bodies, which would help to inform current efforts to search for extraterrestrial life beyond Earth.

Details Accordion Closed

Details

Minor Requirements
  • Take the following 23 units:

    • AST 183, AST 184L, AST 280, AST 390 (10 units)
    • BIO 205, BIO 205L  (4 units)
    • Select from (9 units):
      • BIO 240, BIO 344, BIO 346, BIO 471C, BIO 479
      • CHM 462C
      • CHM 360 or CHM 461
      • BIO 485, BIO 497, BIO 499

  • Minor Requirements for Biology, BS Majors
    Take the following 23 units:

    • AST 183, AST 184L, AST 280, AST 390 (10 units)
    • BIO 205, BIO 205L (4 units)
    • One additional course that cannot be used for your major (3 units) 
    • Select from (6 units):
      • BIO 240, BIO 344, BIO 346, BIO 471C, BIO 479
      • CHM 462C
      • CHM 360 or CHM 461
      • BIO 485, BIO 497, BIO 499

  • Minor Requirements for Biomedical Sciences, BS Majors
    Take the following 23 units:

    • AST 183, AST 184L, AST 280, AST 390 (10 units) 
    • BIO 205, BIO 205L (4 units)
    • Select from (3 units):
      • BIO 471C, BIO 479
    • Select additional from (6 units):
      • BIO 240, BIO 344, BIO 346, BIO 471C, BIO 479
      • CHM 462C
      • CHM 360 or CHM 461
      • BIO 485, BIO 497, BIO 499

  • Minor Requirements for Microbiology, BS Majors
    Take the following 23 units:

    • AST 183, AST 184L, AST 280, AST 390 (10 units) 
    • BIO 205, BIO 205L (4 units)
    • Select from (3 units)
      • CHM 462C
      • CHM 360 or CHM 461 This course cannot be used for your major.
    • Select additional from (6 units)
      • BIO 240, BIO 344, BIO 346, BIO 471C, BIO 479
      • (CHM 360 or CHM 461), CHM 462C
      • BIO 485, BIO 497, BIO 499

    For all minor requirements, be aware that some courses may have prerequisites that you must also take. For prerequisite information click on the course or see your advisor.

     

Availability Accordion Closed

Campus Availability

  • Flagstaff

Department of Astronomy and Planetary Science
Location
Room 209 Building 19
Physical Sciences
527 S. Beaver St.
Flagstaff, Arizona 86011-6010
Mailing Address
NAU Box 6010
Flagstaff, Arizona 86011-6010
Email
astro@nau.edu
Phone
928-523-2661
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