BOT 115 CC: HOW PLANTS FEED THE WORLD

How does agriculture contribute to climate change? How do plants know which way is “up”? How many of the fruits and vegetables that you eat are genetically modified? What happens to plants during a drought? In this course students learn about plant biology through the lens of global agriculture and climate change. We will explore how different plants are grown around the world to support human nutritional needs and culinary tastes, how the environment affects plant growth and development, and how plants can in turn affect the climate. We will also get our hands dirty - literally - growing plants and visiting local field sites. This course includes both instruction/discussion meetings and weekly labs. Students will grow their own gardens in the greenhouse and track the development of their plants from seed to fruit through careful illustration and scientific observation. We will also perform several experiments to learn firsthand how plants grow, what they need to survive, and how they behave in different environments. On field trips to the Arboretum, we will look for evidence of colonial era farms right here in New London, and talk about how the Mashantucket Pequot raised crops here before the arrival of European colonists. Visits to the Sprout garden will provide a hands-on introduction to local small-scale and community farming. Last but not least, we will learn how to identify members of some of the most important crop families grown around the world.