Are we alone in the Universe? If so, why? If not, where are our cosmic cousins? Such questions, once the domain of science fiction, are on the verge of being answered with science facts. Astronomers are discovering planets around other stars. Planetary scientists are exploring the worlds in our solar system. Biologists are unlocking the secrets of metabolism and evolution. Geoscientists are determining how the Earth supports life. And as we struggle to build a sustainable future for ourselves, all of us are finding out how technologically advanced civilizations rise and how they might fall. Inspired by this ongoing scientific revolution, Habitable Worlds surveys key concepts from across the major areas of science that help us to understand what makes Earth - or any other planet - a habitable world.

Explain the conditions that can make a planet habitable

Identify and justify the steps necessary to determine if an exoplanet is habitable

Describe the history of Earth as an inhabited world and how this knowledge informs the search for life on other worlds

Describe and interpret observations using data analysis, foundational mathematics, and accessible computational methods

Apply scientific reason, particularly using hypothesis-driven processes to create scientific models, test models using basic qualitative and quantitative reasoning, choose among competing ideas that have different levels of uncertainty

Apply problem-solving skills including breaking complex problems into multiple steps, identify the knowledge needed to solve each step, and obtain and interpret that knowledge quantitatively and qualitatively

Pathiva offers the Arizona State University (ASU) Universal Learner courses through our partnership with Global Town School (GTS). GTS is a U.S. based online private school that has a user agreement with ASU to facilitate learner (eligible student) enrollment in the ASU Universal Learner courses.

Please note the significance of providing accurate personal information, including your full name, surname, and email address, when registering for our courses. This information is crucial as it initiates the registration process with Arizona State University (ASU).

Are we alone in the Universe? If so, why? If not, where are our cosmic cousins? Such questions, once the domain of science fiction, are on the verge of being answered with science facts.

Online Earth and Space Science