BIOL 147 - Food,People and the Environment

Institution:

College of Marin

Subject:

Description:

(3.0 Units) (No prerequisite. Advisory: Biology 110. Two lecture and three laboratory hours weekly.) This course examines problems and solutions affecting the past, present and future of agriculture, the chief method of securing food from the environment and the basis of human civilization. Patterns of care and use of the major classes of agricultural resources will be surveyed, including domestication and genetic improvement of edible plants and animals, maintenance of soil fertility through manipulation of humus and individual plant nutrients, suppression of pests through chemical, biological and cultural techniques, and attempts to maximize efficiency in utilization of land, water, energy, labor, and capital. Effects of changes in demographics and socioeconomic conditions of producers and consumers of agricultural products will be discussed. Evolution and integration of production methods will be emphasized, through site specific examples of functioning agricultural systems in Marin County, the rest of California, and the world. Special attention will be paid to the concept of sustainability and to the current debate between defenders of modern industrial agriculture and proponents of its alternatives, such as biodynamic, organic, and low input agriculture. Includes field trips to selected agricultural areas of interest in Northern and Central California. (CSU/UC)

Credits:

3.00

Credit Hours:

Prerequisites:

Corequisites:

Exclusions:

Level:

Instructional Type:

Multiple

Notes:

Additional Information:

Historical Version(s):

Institution Website:

www.marin.edu

Phone Number:

(415) 457-8811

Regional Accreditation:

Western Association of Schools and Colleges

Calendar System:

Semester

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