M. Laskowski (Biology)
4 NS, QFR, W-INT
Full Course -- 4 Credits
Fall Semester FYSP 165-01 MW 2:30-3:45
The intent of this class is to raise profound issues and give people the skills to study them. How do the relative merits of increasing current food supply compare to the long-term environmental impacts of that production? Should we strive to increase fertilizer use in Africa to save lives today, or does that doom more people in the future? Throughout history, people often predicted that population growth was about to outstrip our ability to produce food, only to discover that new agricultural advances eliminated the impending mass starvation. Today, with world population at six billion, we ask this question again: At what point will the earth be unable to sustain additional population growth? We begin our study with a look at patterns of population growth across the globe, then go on to learn about the history of agriculture and global impacts of the green revolution. Genetically modified foods (what they are, how they are made, and their potential for increasing yields) will be discussed. We will study these questions while practicing skills associated with research, including interpreting and manipulating data. The results of these projects will be presented to the class through papers and will inform discussions about controversial issues.