Instructor: Barry Wilson, Department of Animal Science, College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences
Description: There is much slanted information about agricultural chemicals, their uses, dangers and risks. Some commentators never saw an agrochemical they liked, others never used one that wasn’t a boon to mankind. This seminar course will provide objective bases for freshmen to interpret what they read about pesticides and other agricultural chemicals and help them to make their own decisions. The course is aimed at both science and non-science students interested in agriculture and environmental studies as well as in agricultural business management. The course is designed to increase students’ knowledge about pesticides and their impacts, to learn how to evaluate what is reported in the public and scientific media about these chemicals and their risks and to help students interested in the fields of agriculture, agricultural chemistry, ecology, toxicology and related fields to decide whether or not to pursue such interests. Knowledge beyond high school chemistry is not required.
Format: The course will meet once a week in the evenings. Approximately half of the course will consist of background information presented by the instructor and guests, the other half will consist of student presentations of topics of their choice pertaining to the subject. Grading: Pass/fail, based on oral and written reports, readings, and active participation in classroom activities. There is no final examination; quizzes may be given to enable students to judge their own progress.
About the Instructor: Professor Barry Wilson is a faculty member in the Departments of Animal Science and Environmental Toxicology. He was educated in liberal arts at the University of Chicago, in science at the Illinois Institute of Technology and UCLA. His research interests extend from molecules to ecosystems, focusing on the actions of pesticides on humans and wildlife and development of the muscle and nervous systems. He currently teaches a laboratory course on culturing animal cells.