The Astrobiology minor will provide a broad, interdisciplinary introduction to the field of astrobiology while encouraging exploration beyond a student’s primary field of study. Minor graduates will be prepared to apply their knowledge as well-rounded scientists and engineers to engage in the cutting-edge endeavors of the astrobiology discipline.
Students in any Georgia Tech major are eligible to complete the Astrobiology minor.
The minor aligns with Georgia Tech’s mission of “Creating the Next” generation of
Upon completion of the minor, students will be able to:
- Understand the physical and chemical conditions for development of a habitable planet;
- Obtain in-depth knowledge related to Earth, space, and planetary science;
- Obtain in-depth knowledge related the origin and evolution of life on Earth;
- Critically evaluate scientific issues related to astrobiology in media and popular culture.
REQUIREMENTS
All courses counting toward the minor must be taken on a letter-grade basis and be completed with a grade of C or higher.
Courses used to satisfy Core IMPACTS areas in a student’s major degree program may not be used to satisfy the course requirements for the minor.
Courses in Field of Study courses may be counted as coursework in the minor.
Credits in excess of 11 may be applied to free electives in the student’s degree program of study.
Required course (4 credits):
Electives (at least 11 credits, with at least 3 credits from each of three divisions):
All courses are 3 credits unless otherwise noted by number in parentheses.
Division 1: Earth, Space, and Other Worlds:
AE 4361: Space Flight Operations
AE 4451: Jet & Rocket Propulsion
AE/EAS 4803: Planetary Spacecraft Development
AE/EAS 4803: Space Instrumentation for Life Detection
EAS 4220: Environmental Geochemistry
EAS 4224: Mineral Surface Geochemistry
EAS 4300: Intro to Phys & Chem Oceanography
EAS 4305: Physical and Chemical Oceanography
EAS 4350: Paleoclimatology & Paleoceanography
EAS 4360: Space Physics & Instrumentation
EAS 4370: Physics of Planets
EAS 4375: Earth and Planetary Materials
EAS 4602: Biogeochemical Cycles
EAS 4610: Earth System Modeling
EAS 4801: Planetary Sci & Astrobiol Seminar (1)
CHEM 3216+3216L: Analytical Chemistry (5)
CHEM/AE/EAS 4770: Instrument Design for Astrobiology Missions
PHYS 3022: Stars and Planets
PHYS 4247: Cosmology
PHYS 4347: Theoretical Astrophysics
Division 2: Foundations of Life
BIOS 3380+3381: Microbiology (4)
BIOS 3450+3451: Cell & Molecular Biology (4)
BIOS 3600: Evolutionary Biology
BIOS 4012: Protein Biology
BIOS 4225: Molecular Evolution
BIOS 4410: Microbial Ecology
BIOS 4418: Microbial Physiology
BIOS 4550: Origin of Complex Life
BIOS 4560: RNA Biology and Biotechnology
BIOS 4607: Molecular Biology of Microbes
CHEM 3511: Survey of Biochemistry
CHEM 3521: Biochemistry I
CHEM 3522: Biochemistry II
CHEM 4521: Biophysical Chemistry
CHEM 4532: Chemistry of the Origins of Life
PHYS 4251: Biophysics
Division 3: Astrobiology in a Wider World
EAS 4420: Environmental Field Methods (4)
EAS 4802: Seminal Papers in Astrobiology (2)
HTS 3021: Women in Science and Engineering
HTS 3082: Sociology of Science
INTA 3043: Space Policy
LMC 3104: The Age of Scientific Discovery
LMC 3106: The Age of Scientific Revolution
LMC 3112: Evolution and the Industrial Age
LMC 3214: Science Fiction
LMC 3215: Science Fiction Film and Television
LMC 3302: Science, Technology, and Ideology
LMC 3304: Science, Technology, and Gender
LMC 3306: Science, Technology, and Race
LMC 3310: The Rhetoric of Scientific Inquiry
LMC 3316: Science, Technology & Postcolonialism
Students may petition for eligibility for substitution of electives with other courses not on the above list, on a case-by-case basis. Email jennifer.glass@eas.gatech.edu to petition.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Q: Do I need to take the classes in order?
A: No. You may take the courses in any order.
Q: What paperwork do I need to fill out to declare this minor?
A: You must follow the directions here to add an undergraduate minor.
Q: I took EAS 1600 Introduction to Environmental Sciences. Am I allowed to substitute EAS 1600 for the required course EAS 1601 (Habitable Planet)?
A: No. EAS 1601 (Habitable Planet) is a required course for the program and therefore must be taken to obtain this minor.
EAS 1600 Introduction to Environmental Science is a different course with much less of an astrobiology emphasis. Therefore, it is not allowed to be substituted for EAS 1601.