PLBIO 1120 - [Issues in Social Biology: from Diet to Diseases, DNA to Deforestation]

Fall or summer (three-week session). 3 credits.

Staff.

An analysis of current issues of biological relevance and the biological science behind these issues. Topics will include issues such as food and nutrition, diet related diseases, antioxidants, organic produce, disease prevention, genetic testing, cancer, stem cells and animal cloning, genetically modified crops, bacteria and antibiotics, viruses, risk, statistics and epidemiology, extinction and overpopulation, invasive species, the health of the seas, resource over-utilization. The topics will vary according to current issues.

Outcome 1: To become aware of the recent advances in biology that are of social importance, and to understand the biology behind recent advances.

Outcome 2: To be able to critically evaluate and explain news reports of advances in biology and their social impact.