Plants, Environment and Civilization

Human life, health, and civilization depend on plants. This course introduces basic plant biology, the role of plants in natural ecosystems, and the various uses of plants for food, fiber, medicine, and ritual. Topics include the medicinal uses of plants, domestication of plants for agriculture, biotechnology, and plant conservation. Environmental aspects of agriculture and climate change are themes throughout the course. The course will include activities including a greenhouse tour, a campus tour of the Washington University Arboretum and readings that focus on the use of plants by humans, both in traditional and modern agriculture settings. The class is open to both non-science and science majors and does not count for the biology major.
Course Attributes: FA NSM; BU SCI; AS NSM

Plants, Environment and Civilization

BIOLOGY AND BIOMEDICAL SCIENCES 343A

Section 01