For now, Earth remains the only place in the universe where life is known to exist, but recent advances in planetary exploration and astronomical observation could change that in the near future. We will explore the conditions that led to life on Earth and will investigate the history of our own biosphere. We will look at the current techniques used to understand where conditions might be amenable for life to have arisen elsewhere, and we will discuss the prospects for detection of such life in the future at places including Mars, Europa, Titan, and planets around other stars. This course will bring in ideas and techniques from biology, geology, planetary science, and astronomy to allow us to address -- and perhaps some day answer -- the millennia-old question of whether or not we are alone in the universe. First-year (undergraduates) only; limited enrollment.