Academic Programs

The New York Center for Astrobiology and its faculty offer undergraduate and graduate students at Rensselaer a breadth of opportunities for hands-on research and course work in the emerging area of study.

Excellent opportunities exist for undergraduate students to participate in frontier research programs. During the fall, spring or summer semesters, students may enroll for individual research projects under the supervision of one or more of the principal scientists of the Center.

Although each student normally pursues an independent research topic, teamwork is a distinctive factor of the program, with postdoctoral and graduate researchers working in related fields participating actively in the supervision and training of undergraduates. Undergraduates will be involved in the preparation and publication of journal articles on their results whenever appropriate.

In addition to research experience, undergraduates students majoring in chemistry and biology can receive a minor in astrobiology. The minor requires a minimum of 16 credits of course work in the field.

Undergraduates can also take part in the Interdisciplinary Science program and focus their entire course of study on astrobiology. A similar opportunity is offered to graduates with the Multidisciplinary Science program, allowing graduates to earn an M.S. and Ph.D with a focus on astrobiology. Graduates are also offered strong opportunities for research within the laboratories of center members.

A course entitled "Origin of Life, A Cosmic Perspective is taught each Spring. For more information, click here.