PLSCI 2400 - Green World, Blue Planet

(BIO-AG, OPHLS-AG) (CU-SBY)

Fall, Winter, Summer. 3 credits. Student option grading.

T. Silva.

Focuses on helping individuals understand how scientific information relates to the issues they face as citizens, in management decision making, and in public policy. To what extent should genetic engineering of crop plants be permitted? Should we place limits on fossil fuel consumption as a means of limiting global warming and global climate change? Must human endeavors be restricted in certain areas to maintain diversity? The format of this course is interactive, with lectures and discussions about how we as a society deal with controversial issues. This course is suitable for life sciences majors.

Outcome 1: Explain, evaluate, and effectively interpret basic concepts in cell and molecular biology.

Outcome 2: Explain, evaluate, and effectively interpret basic concepts in general ecology and biodiversity.

Outcome 3: Integrate qualitative information to reach defensible and creative conclusions about the impacts of climate change, genetic engineering, and biodiversity on the natural world and society.

Outcome 4: Communicate effectively through writing, speech, and visual information via written exams, writing assignments and class discussion concerning the above topics.

Outcome 5: Articulate the views of people with diverse perspectives on the above issues.