EPS 296: Finding a Habitable Planet: The Search for Exoplanets (EPS 196)

Course Description

Could there be life on other planets? This course explores humanity's quest to answer one of our most profound questions by examining planets orbiting distant stars. This course uses observational astronomy and theoretical modeling to identify planets orbiting other stars and study their characteristics. Students will explore the fundamental techniques for exoplanet detection and atmospheric characterization, analyze the properties of specific planetary systems, and investigate the broader statistical trends within the current catalog of discovered exoplanets. We will combine theoretical foundations with practical applications, preparing students to understand both individual case studies and population-level analyses in contemporary exoplanet research.