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BIOL 495 (section SH)

Plants, Genes and Agriculture

Plants, Genes, and Agriculture textbook.

Course Scheduled: Fall 2018 on Mondays from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm (room 334 Bessey Hall) for the first half of the semester

Credits: 1

Grading: S/F only

Prerequisites: BIOL 211, BIOL 212; course intended for Biology and Genetics majors at the sophomore and junior level

Instructor: Stephen Howell (shh@iastate.edu)

This seminar course is based on the book "Plants, genes and Agriculture" edited by Maarten Chrispeels and Paul Gepts.  The book deals with the challenges of feeding the growing human population on our planet which is expected to reach nearly 10 billion by 2050.  The course will address biological, economic, and sociocultural challenges at an introductory level.  It will cover topics such as sustainable food production, plant domestication, agricultural innovations, biotic and abiotic stress, introduced agronomic and consumer traits, and subsistence farming.  

Students will make presentations about the chapters of the book and lead discussions.  Enrollment will be limited to 20 students.  If you are interested in this course, please stop by the Student Services Office (103 Bessey Hall) to obtain the reference number for the course.