Thursdays, 10:15 am–12:15 pm | May 1–June 5
Location: Baker Free Library, Bow
Instructor: Curtiss Rude

Are we alone in the cosmos? How are scientists seeking signs of life beyond our home planet? This course will explain our past, current, and future search for evidence of extraterrestrial life in our own solar system and among the thousands of exoplanets that have been discovered. We will explore how our increasing understanding of geology and our newest insights into the nature, origin, and evolution of life on Earth inform this search. No prior knowledge of geology, chemistry, biology, or astronomy is required to benefit from this course.

Curtiss Rude has a BS in Physics from Carnegie-Mellon University and an MS in Electrical Engineering (solid-state physics) from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. He worked in the microelectronics industry for IBM in Vermont for 20+ years in various engineering and engineering management roles. His second career was as a high school chemistry and physics teacher for seven years. Curtiss has previously taught LINEC courses on astronomy, cosmology, artificial intelligence, political geography, and the history of money.