Astrobiology Courses and Certifications

Astrobiology and the Search for Extraterrestrial Life

34 reviews

Discover the origins of life and explore the search for extraterrestrial life in this 5-week course from the University of Edinburgh.

• Coursera
• 11 hours
• On-Demand
• Free Online Course (Audit)

• Best of All Time

Super-Earths and Life

5 reviews

Explore the intersection of astronomy, biology, and geology in this 15-week Harvard course, delving into the existence of life beyond Earth and the evolution of life on our planet.

• edX
• 15 weeks, 3-5 hours a week
• On-Demand
• Free Online Course (Audit)

From Chemistry to Life

3 reviews

To look for evidence of life on other planets, we have to adapt what we know about chemistry on Earth to aid our search. Astronomer Dimitar Sasselov explains how we can use what we already know to search for alien life in this Master Class.

• World Science U
• On-Demand
• Free Online Course

Emergence of Life

100 ratings at Coursera

Explore the 4-billion-year history of life on Earth and its co-evolution with the planet. Discover the pioneering work of Professor Carl Woese at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign in understanding the Tree of Life.

• Coursera
• 45 hours
• On-Demand
• Free Online Course (Audit)

University of Rochester

Confronting The Big Questions: Highlights of Modern Astronomy

472 ratings at Coursera

An introduction to modern astronomy's most important questions. The four sections of the course are Planets and Life in The Universe; The Life of Stars; Galaxies and Their Environments; The History of The Universe.

• Coursera
• 11 hours
• On-Demand
• Free Online Course (Audit)

University of Arizona

Astrobiology: Exploring Other Worlds

446 ratings at Coursera

Explore the multidisciplinary field of astrobiology with the University of Arizona. In 6 weeks, learn about exoplanets, life emergence, and habitability, preparing you to discuss current discoveries.

• Coursera
• 1 day 2 minutes
• On-Demand
• Free Online Course (Audit)

Moons of our Solar System

15 ratings at OpenLearn

In this free course, Moons of our Solar System, explore the many moons of our Solar System. Find out what makes them special. Should we send humans to our Moon again?

• OpenLearn
• 24 hours
• On-Demand
• Free Certificate

Life in the Universe: Syntheses for Life

Learn about the chemical principles behind key synthetic processes relevant to life such as protein synthesis, photosynthesis, and ammonia synthesis. Nobel Lectures and key scientific papers will be used.

• edX
• 5 weeks, 2-3 hours a week
• On-Demand
• Free Online Course (Audit)

The search for water on Mars

5 ratings at OpenLearn

The possibility of water on Mars has captured human imagination for over a century. In this free course, The Search for Water on Mars, find out more about how scientists have found evidence for ...

• OpenLearn
• 5 hours
• On-Demand
• Free Certificate

Icy bodies: Europa and elsewhere

1 rating at OpenLearn

The new discipline of astrobiology that is, the science of searching for extraterrestrial life, is not only rapdly growing, but has also captured the public imagination. This free course, Icy ...

• OpenLearn
• 17 hours
• On-Demand
• Free Certificate

A New Approach To The Search For Extraterrestrial Life

Astrobiologist Sara Walker challenges our understanding of life and how we might search for life in the universe by looking for signatures of information-generating structures and applying systems-level analysis.

• World Science U
• On-Demand
• Free Online Course

Microcredential

Life on Mars, Earth and Beyond with Dr Louisa Preston

1 review

Explore the big questions about life, the universe, and the future of humankind. Discover the fascinating field of astrobiology; study life on earth, space exploration, and how they intersect. Explore the potential for life on icy moons, what exoplanets…

• FutureLearn
• 15 weeks, 3 hours a week
• On-Demand
• Paid Course

GEO GIRL

Life on Europa - What Conditions Make Europa Habitable? - Astrobiology

1 review

Explore the habitability of Europa with GEO GIRL in this short lecture. Learn about the presence of water, bioessential elements, and energy on Europa, and the types of life that could exist there.

• YouTube
• 27 minutes
• On-Demand
• Free Online Course

Earth and Life

3 ratings at FutureLearn

From the beginning to where we are now, explore the formation of the Earth and the history of life on the blue planet.

• FutureLearn
• 3 weeks, 3 hours a week
• On-Demand
• Paid Course

Life on Mars

6 ratings at FutureLearn

Discover our neighbouring planet, Mars, and delve into the missions and mysteries surrounding life on the planet.

• FutureLearn
• 3 weeks, 3 hours a week
• On-Demand
• Paid Course