Astronomy 170B1

Over a series of three interactive homework assignments spread throughout the course, each student will write a final ~8 page essay on the probability of communicating with intelligent life somewhere in our Milky Way galaxy, combining both facts and personal opinion. The portions you write will become part of a working document that will combine into a single ~8-page essay, due on Wednesday, Dec 11. The first two portions will each generate written feedback from the teaching staff about content and writing style. You are expected to incorporate these suggestions in each subsequent version in order to demonstrate overall improvement in writing proficiency, leading to an excellent final document. Each submission must include all the prior portions that have been commented on for improvement and you must incorporate these comments into an ever-improving draft.

Here are some interesting links to articles about this topic. These and other references will be mentioned as you encounter each separate homework assignment.

Your essay will be worth 20% of your course grade. It should demonstrate correct understanding of the Drake Equation, Fermi-type thinking, and all the Communication and Numerical Daily Skills we will accumulate this semester. It will be graded according to the rubric used in the Writing Program of the Dept. of English: Content (45%), Organization (15%), Expression (15%), Mechanics (10%), along with demonstrated improvement during each of the prior six submissions (15%).

Submit your Introduction electronically via our D2L Web site. First, select the "Assignments" tab from the upper toolbar. Second, select the "Alien Essay Introduction" link. Third, upload your file by "Add a file."

Maintain an electronic copy for yourself so you can continue to revise, and resubmit, your paper based on cumulative feedback from the teaching staff.

Each assignment will be a specific homework assignment. Schedule of due dates for three portions of the required essay:

• Sep 20 (Homework #10)
  Introduction, the Drake Equation, and "Fermi Thinking"


• Nov 1 (Homework #25)
  Search techniques and NASA's Kepler Mission; Begin calculating your personal Drake Equation


• Dec 11 (final submission in PRINT and upload to D2L)
  (Homework #38)
  Finish your personal Drake Equation; the "Fermi Paradox," "Galactic Habitable Zone," SETI, and personal reflection