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When many people think of extraterrestrial life, they think E.T., but a new class offered this fall will examine the possibilities of other planetary life in a forum more serious than sci-fi movies.

In response to student demand, the department of astronomy and astrophysics will offer a new course this fall called the Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence.

"I think the search to find extraterrestrial intelligence is something that fascinates a lot of people," said Doug O'Neal (graduate-astronomy)."And I think it's good in serving that interest."

Alex Wolszczan, a professor of astronomy and astrophysics who will teach the class, said student interest in a course examining the origins of our planetary system and the possibility of other planetary systems merits a class.

Wolszczan's personal interest in extraterrestrial life was highlighted several years ago with his discovery of a new planetary system while working at Cornell University.

"This is what gives us hope," he said.

Although it is too early to know a definite curriculum, Wolszczan said he will probably try to mix imaginative elements with more physical and mathematical elements.

"There is a lot of hard science behind it that one can apply," he said, adding he will try to interpret some science fiction.

The course has a prerequisite of Astronomy 1, 10 or 90, all basic astronomy classes. These classes ensure that only those interested in the program will enroll and allow more time to discuss theory, rather than explaining the basics of astronomy, O'Neal said.

"One of the jokes about the course like that is that one could actually limit it to showing Star Trek episodes twice a week . . . of course I'm not going to do that," Wolszczan laughed.