pt. 1. Introducing life in the universe. A universe of life? ; The science of life in the universe ; The universal context of life -- pt. 2. Life on Earth. The habitability of Earth ; The nature of life on Earth ; The origin and evolution of life on Earth -- pt. 3. Life in the solar system. Searching for life in our solar system ; Mars ; Life on jovian moons ; The nature and evolution of habitability -- pt. 4. Life among the stars. Habitability outside the solar system ; The search for extraterrestrial intelligence ; Interstellar travel and the Fermi paradox