Natural Science 0115 - Natural Prod of Farm & Forest

This course will explore the natural product chemistry of plants through a combination of classroom, field and optional lab experiences. We'll take advantage of both the Farm Center and the richly forested areas on and around Hampshire's campus to learn about the roles of molecules plants make, from lipids and carbohydrates to antioxidants to pigments to toxins, in both the human world and the lives of plants themselves. In class we will learn to analyze primary literature as well as critically examining articles from the popular press. Students will regularly present readings and lead discussions, as well as completing a full-semester project on a topic of their choice. In the optional lab, we'll learn to detect, isolate, and characterize natural products and examine some of their properties.

Physical and Biological Sciences Independent Work Writing and Research Quantitative Skills