Short Course Description
The purpose of the course is to provide the students with an introduction to the emergence of life field. This subject has been studied scientifically for nearly a century and various theories have been proposed. Life emergence was assumed to occur through biogenesis - the spontaneous formation of biological molecules from simple compounds that were present on primordial Earth, and the assembly of these molecules into the first living cells. In the course we will discuss some of the key studies conducted and try to assess the plausibility of the abiogenesis process and the required conditions. In addition, we will discuss the principle characteristics of life, as they appear in contemporary organisms, and the possibility of life on other planets and moons in our solar system.
The first part of the course will include frontal lectures, and in the second part the students will present specific studies in the above topics, based on research papers.
The final grade will be determined based on the students' presentations and a home exam.
Full Syllabus