PLPPM 2900 - Celebrating Inquiry - The Wonder of Willow

(BIONLS-AG)

Fall. 3 credits.

Permission of instructor required. Enrollment limited to: second year students or higher.

G. W. Hudler.

Students in “Celebrating Willow” will join a team of faculty, authors, and other professionals as they trace the evolution of a unique group of trees with a remarkable history. Topics will include a bit of cosmic evolution, plant biology (with special emphasis on pests, pathogens and defenses), ethnobotany, neurobiology, pharmacology, and willow wood for non-medicinal purposes such as biofuels, sculpting, and unique wood products. Progress toward achievement of learning outcomes will be via student completion of projects similar to the willow journey on other interdisciplinary topics (e.g. silk, sunshine, hemp, coal, etc.).

Outcome 1: Logically challenge questionable statements of “fact” by “experts.”

Outcome 2: Effectively and efficiently use “library” resources (electronic and otherwise) to find and ascertain credibility of information on topics not immediately familiar to students in the course.

Outcome 3: Use elementary laboratory techniques to view or otherwise analyze small things.

Outcome 4: Present complex scientific topics to audiences who do not have strong science backgrounds but need to know about such matters to set priorities for allocation of resources.