Astrobiology

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What is Astrobiology_-04 (1)

Astrobiology, formerly known as exobiology, is a multidisciplinary science that investigates the origins, early evolution, distribution, and future of life in the cosmos. Astrobiology is the study of whether or not alien life exists, and if so, how we can detect it. In this blog, we’ve covered all you need to know about Astrobiology and how to become an Astrobiologist.

What is Astrobiology?

The study of life in the cosmos is known as astrobiology. Understanding life and the nature of the settings that sustain it, as well as, the planetary system, and stellar interactions and processes, is required in the hunt for life beyond Earth. Astrobiology brings together information and techniques from a variety of domains, including astronomy, biology, chemistry, geology, atmospheric science, oceanography, and aeronautical engineering, to give this insight. Astrobiologists can work alone on specific scientific problems, but they frequently collaborate with astrobiologists from other scientific disciplines to investigate complicated questions that no one area can address.

Also Read: How to Become an Astronaut?

What is an Astrobiologist?

An astrobiologist is a scientist who investigates the potential of life on other planets. Astrobiologists aim to figure out how life started and how it can thrive in a variety of conditions. This frequently entails the investigation of extreme life right here on Earth. They investigate many planets and moons to discover if life may exist there. Some astrobiologists work on initiatives that hunt for radio signals from intelligent life throughout the Universe, while others look for regions where the most basic forms of life may exist. A biologist who also studies astronomy is known as an astrobiologist.

Also Read: Astrophysics Colleges in India

How To Become an Astrobiologist?

A usual approach for a student interested in pursuing astrobiology graduate study is to specialize in a particular scientific subject. Choose a field that you are truly enthusiastic about and that fascinates you; this discipline will serve as the foundation upon which you will develop your knowledge. As astrobiology is a very multidisciplinary area, it is open to anyone with any scientific background. To pursue a career in astrobiology, you can take any STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) topic.

Skills Required

  • Analytical abilities are required for precision throughout research experiments.
  • Examining and assessing research work requires critical thinking abilities.
  • For research, technical abilities for operating diverse equipment are essential.
  • Math abilities needed to execute sophisticated computations on data from research studies
  • Flexible in order to obtain an unbiased viewpoint for study.
  • Persistent in their pursuit of new knowledge
  • Out-of-the-box Thinker who can come up with new research ideas

Astrobiology Courses & Programs

NASA has compiled a list of the best astrobiology courses and programmes:

Undergraduate Programs
ProgramsOffered By
Space Sciences AstrobiologyFlorida Institute of Technology
Astrobiology Minor ProgramPennsylvania State University 
Certificate Program in Planets and LifePrinceton University
Astrobiology MinorRensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Undergraduate Minor in AstrobiologyUniversity of Arizona
Graduate Program
ProgramsOffered By
Astrobiology FocusArizona State University 
Graduate Certificate in AstrobiologyGeorgia Institute of Technology 
Graduate Studies in AstrobiologyPennsylvania State University
Master-PhD course on origin-of-life science and astrobiologyTokyo Institute of Technology, Earth-Life Science Institute (ELSI) 
Graduate Minor in AstrobiologyUniversity of Arizona
Graduate Certificate in AstrobiologyUniversity of Colorado 
Graduate Program in the Biology of Extreme EnvironmentsUniversity of Naples Federico II 
Astrobiology Dual-Title PhD and Graduate CertificateUniversity of Washington 

Educational Requirements

You must first earn a bachelor’s degree in science, such as a B.Sc. Most universities offer scientific degrees, and anybody with a science degree can work as an astrobiologist. Students can pursue degrees in biology, chemistry, geology, physics, astronomy, and other subjects that interest them. For more advanced roles in the field, master’s or doctorate degrees are necessary.

Also Read: How To Become A Scientist In ISRO?

Institutes Offering Astrobiology and Astronomy Courses Abroad 

The best universities and institutions offering Astrobiology and Astronomy Courses Abroad are listed below.

Institutes Offering Astrobiology and Astronomy Courses in India

The best universities and institutes in India that provide Astrobiology and Astronomy Courses are listed below.

  • Indian Astrobiology Research Foundation (IARF), Mumbai
  • Amity Center of Excellence in Astrobiology, Amity University
  • M. P. Birla Institute of Fundamental Research, Bangalore
  • Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore
  • Ramana Research Institute, Bangalore
  • Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Mumbai
  • Aryabhatta Research Institute of Observational Sciences, Nainital
  • Indian Institute of Astrophysics, Bangalore
  • Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology, Thiruvananthapuram
  • Savitribai Phule Pune University, Pune

Also Read: 20 Indian Scientists Who Changed The World

Future Scope of Astrobiology

The first ten years of astrobiology have provided a foundation for understanding the origins and development of life in the cosmos. Fieldwork has yielded fossils, creatures, and ecosystems, all of which have contributed to a greater understanding of the early Earth, probable origin scenarios, and a vast extension of the known environmental constraints of life. Laboratory work, in combination with astronomical observations, has provided yet another important piece to the jigsaw and continues to give hints and develop models. Missions are only now beginning to push astrobiology to new heights of knowledge. Astrobiology will be around for a long time, because of people’s insatiable curiosity about the origins and spread of life.

FAQs

What is the General Age to Start Professional Career for Astrobiologists?

If you want to learn how to become an astrobiologist, here’s how much time you’ll need to devote to schooling before landing your first “official” employment. You’ll need to finish four years of university, five to six years of PhD work, and up to two years of postdoctoral study in a laboratory.

Is Astrobiology a Competitive Career to Pursue?

Strong university admissions are incredibly tough, and having a bachelor’s or PhD from one will help you land good employment offers. Only 5% of candidates are accepted into Harvard University’s bachelor’s degree, for example. Then you must enrol in a PhD program, which is similarly competitive. Finally, you must compete with the top of the best from across the world to become a researcher or professor.

Is a License Required to Work as an Astrobiologist?

A license isn’t required, but you will need academic credentials, such as a PhD in a science-related discipline.

This was all about Astrobiology. Planning to study abroad and need any assistance with institutions, the application process, finances, paperwork, or anything else, call the Leverage Edu professionals at 1800-572-000 and let them give you outstanding end-to-end mentorship and advice to help you make your goal a reality in no time!

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