Whitman College Magazine Winter 2022

SYLLABUS
ASTR 228
Exoplanets and
the Search for Life
in the Universe
3 CREDITS | A. DOBSON
“I HOPE STUDENTS CAN TIE IT TO SOMETHING ELSE THEY’RE
STUDYING. IF IT’S PHILOSOPHY OR BIOLOGY, THEN PONDERING
‘WHAT IS LIFE?’ OR IF IT’S RHETORIC, ASKING IF THERE’S
ACTUALLY INTELLIGENT LIFE OUT THERE, WHAT WOULD
WE HAVE TO SAY TO THEM?” —ANDREA K. DOBSON
Course Description:
A survey of planetary
systems around other
stars and current
research into the
possibilities for
life elsewhere in
the universe.
Coursework includes
problem sets and exams,
a short research paper,
an oral presentation and
occasional outdoor labs.
PROFESSOR BIO
Andrea K. Dobson, associate
professor of astronomy and
general studies and astronomy
department chair. Her interests
include solar-type stars, the history
of cosmology, gender and science,
and public outreach. She believes
any extraterrestrial life is likely
to be microbial but, “It doesn’t
keep me from wondering what it
would be like if it were possible for
somebody to show up here and
want to communicate?”
Some topics the course
covers include:
» The evolution of the universe
and origin of the elements.
» The origins of life on Earth.
» The evolution and effects
of life on Earth.
» Methods of detecting
planets around other stars.
» Potentially habitable
locations in the solar system.
Scientists believe Mars has the greatest potential
to have life or to have had it in the past. As chief
engineer for NASA’s Jet Propulsion Lab,
Rob Manning ’80 plays a major role
in that search. His team designs the
rovers that explore the surface of the
Red Planet, including Perseverance,
which touched down in February
2021. Hear him talk about it at
whitman.edu/magazine.
50 / WHITMAN MAGAZINE