Interdisciplinary Units
Center for Astrobiology
How did life begin on Earth? How did it evolve to its present complex state, and what are the boundaries of habitable environments on planetary spatial scales and geologic timescales? Does life exist elsewhere in the cosmos? What is the long-term fate of life on the Earth? These are some of the questions motivating the field of astrobiology.
The College of Science established the Center for Astrobiology in 2005 to promote multidisciplinary excellence in research, education and collaboration in astrobiology.
The Center for Astrobiology grew out of LAPLACE, the University of Arizona and National Optical Astronomy Observatory program to study the origin of planetary systems under NASA's Astrobiology Institute. The Center moves beyond LAPLACE into interdisciplinary collaborations with biological sciences, ecology and evolutionary biology, molecular and cellular biology and even hydrology. University collaborations will also forge partnerships nationally and internationally. Students, graduate and undergraduate, eventually will be able to obtain minor and major degrees under the Center.