Join a flexible astrobiology course you can study 100% online.
Learn about the tools used to identify signs of life and potentially habitable environments of our solar system.
In this online short course, you’ll join expert astrobiologists and planetary scientists to explore the origins and likely extent of life on Earth and in space.
You’ll study the elements and building blocks of life, and develop expertise in:
- fossil analysis and how microbial life may be fossilised
- identifying ancient and extra-terrestrial signs of life
- Raman spectroscopy, electron and optical microscopy
- analysing potentially habitable environments across the solar system.
You’ll learn about current and future astrobiological exploration missions, Martian rovers, sample-return missions, and more.
Who can join this online astrobiology course?
Space exploration needs bright minds from every field of study.
This Masters-level short course is open to students from any discipline.
Build credits towards a Masters degree
This short course is part of online:
You can use the credits you earn on this course towards this MSc qualification.
What you’ll study
In this course, we’ll explore the origins and likely extent of life on Earth and in the solar system.
You’ll cover topics including:
- elements, precursors and synthesis of life
- searching for ancient and extra-terrestrial microbes: biogenicity and biomarkers
- techniques including Raman spectroscopy
- electron and optical microscopy
- stable isotopes
- examining samples from sites, including modern and ancient hot-springs, lake and stream deposits
- finding and prioritising potentially habitable environments across the solar system, and
- astrobiological exploration missions: instrument observations and interpretation.
Identifying signs of life
We’ll make use of online tools to show you how biotic signals can be distinguished from abiotic effects.
We’ll then look at organic carbon biomarkers and examples of fossilisation of microorganisms from lakes, streams, hot-springs, and oceans.
We’ll also provide you with information about interesting sites in your area that you can go out and explore for yourself.
Finding potentially habitable environments
We’ll then move on to analyse potentially habitable environments of our solar system.
You’ll learn about current and future astrobiological exploration missions, as well as Martian rovers and orbiters, asteroids, comets, sample-return missions, and ocean worlds.
By the end of this course, you’ll be able to...
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Understand the fundamental concepts related to the emergence, evolution, and future of life, and its implications for extraterrestrial life.
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Discuss the relationship between life and its environment through biogeochemical cycles and ecosystem dynamics.
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Understand how different analytical facilities can be used for studying biomarkers and biotic signals.
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Explore how morphological analysis of samples can be used to distinguish between biotic and abiotic structures.
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Plan campaigns to collect and analyze samples indicative of life processes.
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Critically assess published research in astrobiology, and apply observational and analytical skills to theoretical models.
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Plan analytical field or lab work relevant to astrobiology, and then evaluate its success.
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Use visual presentation skills to communicate scientific findings related to astrobiology, biogeochemistry, and geobiology effectively.
Choose the University of Aberdeen for flexible online planetary sciences courses
Fits around full-time work
This course is designed to fit around work. With flexible hours and 24/7 study access.
Over 525 years of excellence
Study with the fifth-oldest university in the English-speaking world, founded in 1495.
You’re in expert hands
We’ve been delivering online and distance learning for decades.
We’re funded by the UK Space Agency
We are one of seven universities in the UK that have been funded to work towards international space science and exploration projects.
We’re working on the integration of the HABIT instrument, developed by our team to measure key conditions on Mars, in the first Japanese mission to Mars.
How you’ll study
Online learning
This distance-learning astrobiology course is delivered flexibly, 100% online.
You can learn with us anywhere in the world, no student visa required, and manage your study hours to suit you.
Your teaching
This course is taught at Masters level.
Teaching is delivered through MyAberdeen, our online Virtual Learning Environment (VLE). It holds all the materials, tools and support you’ll need in your studies. Take a look around MyAberdeen.
You can access your learning materials on computer, smartphone and laptop, 24 hours a day. You’ll find a range of resources available, including:
- videos
- pre-recorded video lectures
- online tutorials
- live online sessions
- audio clips
- slide shows
- online tools
- reading materials
- discussion boards with your tutors and peers
- the online resources of our award-winning Sir Duncan Rice Library.
Live online sessions
This course features between two and four live online sessions. These sessions will be recorded, so you can view them anytime if you’re unable to attend live.
Your tutors
This online short course is delivered by our Department of Planetary Sciences, within the School of Geosciences.
The Department of Planetary Science is focused on the study of Earth and planetary sciences, and the development of instruments for Earth and planetary exploration.
You’ll learn from a team of internationally experienced academics, who are actively involved in multidisciplinary research in this area.
Outstanding expertise
You’ll learn from teaching staff who are involved in the Planetary Protection Boards of NASA and ESA, and the Mars Sample Return Scientific Advisory Team.
Our team is currently collaborating with Oxford Nanopore Technologies on pioneering Space DNA Sequencing and is also deeply engaged in planetary sciences and astrobiology.
This course is assessed online.
You’ll be assessed throughout the course via:
- a written abstract
- an exploration campaign plan, and
- a presentation.
Live online sessions
This course features live online sessions.
They’re scheduled to last for around one hour.
Session times will be organised at the start of the course. Your coordinator will consider everyone’s circumstances and time zones before setting up times.
Live sessions will be recorded, so you can view them anytime if you are unable to attend.
Study hours
The course totals approximately 150 hours of study and assessment time. That’s around 10 – 15 hours per week.
This is an indicative guide to the time required for a typical student at this level to achieve the learning outcomes. This includes time for independent study, as well as teaching and assessments.
You can largely set your own study hours each week to cover the materials. MyAberdeen is available 24/7, so you can log in and study when it suits you.
Activities at fixed times
There will be some activities scheduled at fixed times, such as meetings with your tutor or assessments with deadlines. But otherwise, you can access and work through each course at your convenience.
Our first-class support structure will ensure that you aren’t alone in your studies. You’ll have contact with your coordinator via email, MyAberdeen and Microsoft Teams. You can use social media and discussion boards to chat with your fellow students too.
We provide a wide range of services to support you in your studies and beyond:
- Careers and Employability Service
- Disability support
- IT support
- Library support
- Student Support Service – help with finances, stress, wellbeing and non-academic issues
- Student Learning Service – study support, with advice sessions available via phone or Skype
- Aberdeen University Students’ Association (AUSA) – run by students for students
- Toolkit – clever apps and free training that can make your study life easier
Wherever you are in the world, you’ll feel part of our very special Aberdeen learning community.
Your course coordinators
Professor Javier Martin-Torres
Javier is Personal Chair of Planetary Sciences in our School of Geosciences. He is a Fellow of the Royal Astronomical Society, and the Royal Society of Edinburgh.
Javier has worked for the European Space Agency, California Institute of Technology, and also worked for NASA for over ten years at the Langley Research Centre and Jet Propulsion Laboratory.
View Javier’s profile
Dr Alexander Brasier
Alexander is a Senior Lecturer in Geology. His research spans stable isotope and elemental geochemistry, astrobiology and geobiology, diagenesis, and examining deposition and diagenesis of non-marine carbonates.
Alexander is involved in delivering several undergraduate and postgraduate degree programmes, including coordinating the postgraduate course Astrobiology for Explorers.
View Alexander’s profileWhere this will take you
Towards a Masters
You’ll earn 15 credits at Masters level (SCQF Level 11) with this course. You can use these credits towards our:
Masters in Planetary Sciences
Move into a career in the space industry, whatever your academic background. Join our online Masters degree and study anywhere, at your own pace.
View MSc Planetary SciencesCareers
This course is valuable learning for career progression within:
- the space sector
- astrobiology
- planetary sciences
- government consultancy
- research in academia, public, or private research institutions.
Further learning
If you want to take your studies in planetary sciences further, this course is also excellent preparation for a PhD in this area.
Continuing Professional Development (CPD)
Your employer or professional institute may recognise this course for CPD hours. Talk to your employer or institute to find out more.
Free career support
Access our free careers service while you study.
- 1:1 appointments
- CV checks
- Interview prep
- Job opportunities
Entry requirements
Entry requirements
We welcome students from all over the world.
This course has no formal entry requirements. You do not need to provide proof of your qualifications.
But you do need to check the entry guidance above to understand the level of teaching delivered, to decide if this course is right for you.
If you do not have qualifications from the UK, check the equivalent teaching level for your country.
Visa requirements
You do not need a student visa to study online with us.
English language requirements
Teaching is delivered in English.
You do not have to provide proof of your English language skills to join this course. But we want to make sure that you can use English well enough to study successfully.
Recommended level of English
For this course, we recommend the following level of English language proficiency.
These are our Postgraduate Standard requirements, and these are minimum scores.
IELTS Academic, IELTS UKVI Academic, and IELTS Online (not IELTS Indicator or IELTS General Training)
- 6.5 overall
- 5.5 for listening, reading and speaking
- 6.0 for writing
TOEFL iBT and TOEFL iBT Home Edition
- 90 overall
- 17 for listening
- 18 for reading
- 20 for speaking
- 21 for writing
- TOEFL DI code is 0818
Cambridge English: B2 First, C1 Advanced, or C2 Proficiency
- 176 overall
- 162 for listening, reading and speaking
- 169 for writing
LanguageCert Academic/LanguageCert Academic SELT
- 70 overall
- 60 for listening, reading and speaking
- 65 for writing
LanguageCert International ESOL B2 Communicator (Written and Spoken) – Online / In-centre
- Overall High Pass
- 33 for listening, reading and speaking
- 38 for writing
Oxford ELLT Digital – English Language Level Test Online
- 7.0 overall
- 5.0 for listening, reading and speaking
- 6.0 for writing
PTE Academic (online test not accepted)
- 62 overall
- 59 for listening, reading, speaking and writing
Duolingo – tests taken from 1 July 2024 onward
- 120 overall
- 95 for listening, reading and speaking
- 105 for writing
University of Aberdeen English Pre-sessional Programme (PSE)
- Pass
- Valid for one year. Refresher can be offered if out of date
Pre-sessional academic English preparation programmes undertaken at other UK universities
- Pass at an equivalent of 6.5 (C1)
- B2 in all four skills
- Certification must be within one year prior to the start of your course
For full information about language requirements, see our English Language Requirements page.
You will need access to:
A computer (PC, laptop or Mac) operating on either:
- Windows 10 or later
- macOS 10.15 (Catalina) or later.
Most teaching materials are smartphone- and tablet-friendly. But we recommend a proper laptop or desktop for completing assignments comfortably.
Reliable internet access
We recommend:
- a wired connection
- a minimum download speed of 2 Mbps so you can take part fully in live sessions.
Speakers or headphones
- We recommend a headset with built-in microphone and earphones if you’re likely to study in an environment with background noise.
- A webcam is optional, but you may like to use one for some interactive sessions.
Software
We’ll give you access to Office365 applications. This means you can use online versions of Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint and install these programs on up to five personal devices.
If your course requires specialist software, we’ll provide you with access to this and a licence that lasts throughout your studies.
See our detailed IT requirements for more information.
When you study with us, you can expect a first-class support structure so that you’re never alone in your studies.
But learning online does mean you have to motivate yourself and manage your own time.
Your most important commitment will be time – the time to work through, reflect on and understand your teaching materials.
Before you start a course that involves a high degree of independent study, we recommend looking at the time you will be able to devote to your studies each week:
- Be realistic
- Create a weekly schedule as a guide
If you have any questions about studying online, get in touch with our friendly team. We’re here to help.
Fee payment
Your course fee needs to be paid in full before you start your course.
We accept payment via Visa Debit, Visa Credit and Mastercard.
Ways to save
You may be able to get help funding this course via:
- discounts – if any discounts are available for this course, they’ll appear in the section below
- employer sponsorship – we accept full and partial fee payments from sponsors.
Find out more about funding options.
Student card
All our students are entitled to a University of Aberdeen student card. This gives you access to a range of student discounts around the city and online.
Learning resources
Access to all the books and resources you need are included in your tuition fee. They’ll be made available to you online and you do not have to buy your own copies.
Printing
You may wish to set aside a small budget for printing, depending on how you like to work.
This course has no formal entry requirements. You decide if it’s suitable for you.
The course is delivered at Masters level. At this level, you’d usually have at least:
- a 2:2 UK honours degree (or equivalent) in any discipline, or
- relevant professional experience that supports this level of learning.
Apply for this course
