REU Site: Exploring the Possibilities for Life in the Universe through Astrobiology

宾夕法尼亚州立大学将接待10名本科生参加为期十周的天体生物学课程。该计划的重点是地球上生命的早期进化和生命在宇宙中的可能性，通过生物学，化学，地球科学和天文学的多学科研究。参与者进行由教师导师指导的原创性研究。过去已经解决的问题包括氧气，甲烷和大气中其他成分的上升时间，地球表面的温度，微生物活动及其在不同时期如何影响环境，全球冰川（雪球地球事件），包括植物，动物和真菌在内的真核生物的多样化，以及太阳系外行星的探测和进化。除了10周的密集研究外，该计划还包括方向，实地考察，与研究生的互动，以及包括天体生物学教授在内的每周会议。专业发展活动包括提高沟通技巧和申请研究生院的研讨会。该计划以一个研讨会结束，在此期间，学生们介绍了他们的研究。鼓励在科学期刊上发表。欲了解更多信息和申请材料，请联系布莱尔对冲在astrobio@bio.psu.edu，（814）869-9991，或访问HTTP://EVO.BIO.PSU.EDU/ASP/。

Pennsylvania State University will host 10 undergraduate students to participate in a ten-week program in Astrobiology. The program focuses on the early evolution of life on Earth and the possibilities for life in the Universe through multidisciplinary studies in biology, chemistry, geosciences, and astronomy. Participants undertake original research directed by faculty mentors. Questions that have been addressed in the past include the timing of the rise in oxygen, methane, and other components of the atmosphere, the temperature of the Earth's surface through time, microbial activity and how it influenced the environment at different times, global glaciations (snowball Earth events), the diversification of eukaryotes including plants, animals, and fungi, and detection and evolution of extrasolar planets. Aside from 10 weeks of intensive research, the program includes an orientation, field trips, interactions with graduate students, and weekly meetings that include astrobiology professors. Professional development activities include communication skills enhancement and a seminar on applying to graduate school. The program concludes with a symposium during which students give a presentation of their research. Publication in a scientific journal is encouraged. For further information and application materials, please contact Blair Hedges at astrobio@bio.psu.edu, (814) 869-9991, or visit HTTP://EVO.BIO.PSU.EDU/ASP/.