Astronomy is one of the oldest sciences back to ancient times, and yet still at the frontiers of research in our modern age.  Unlocking the secrets of the evolution and structure of the Universe helps earth scientists better understanding the origin and cosmic environments of our planet.  As revealed by recent eruptive progress in astronomy, for example - the discoveries of more than 2 hundred planets outside the solar system, scientists have realized that to study what made the Earth as it is now, as well as its past and future, the Earth cannot be treated as an isolated system anymore; the global changes of the physical conditions and cataclysmic events on this planet could well be related to astronomical effects.   On the other hand, the Earth is no longer the sole physical place to obtain or examine our knowledge in earth sciences, other planets, stars or space between these cosmic objects can also provide additional or terrestrially not available laboratories to test hypotheses or verify various theories in natural science.

　　In addition to the physical Earth, it also becomes clear that only from astronomical aspects, we can possibly answer some fundamental questions in life science, such as the origin of life and conditions to maintain a habitable environment.  Scientists have therefore already extended the scope of investigating the biological universe from Earth to other planets, satellites, asteroids, and comets in the solar system, even interstellar space in the Milky Way.  Studies such as analysis of complex organic molecules in the interstellar medium can provide astronomers with further clues to how life got started by what physical and chemical processes, and how it spread across the Milky Way, including our Earth.

　　Astronomy is becoming an increasingly essential part in earth sciences, particularly in the fields involving life science; the emergence of astrobiology and comparative planetology in recent years just reflects this growing trend.  NASA’s Origins program, which integrates astronomy, earth sciences (geology, atmospheric science, and oceanography), chemistry, life science, and physics to search for origins of everything, from life to our Universe, also strongly indicates the necessity of multi-disciplinary collaboration in astronomy and earth sciences.   With an understanding of the importance of commutations between astronomy, earth sciences, and life science, the Astronomy program of NTNUES provides a series of lecture courses, at both undergraduate and graduate levels; the curriculum is designed to bring students an appreciation of the modern view of the Universe, and to prepare them to pursue a professional career in astronomy or to teach in high schools.