Natural Science 0343 - Modeling Food Systems

A lively debate roars in both the popular and scientific press - will we run out of food? This debate seems to beg several crucial questions: what food, for whom, produced how and where, at what cost to the world's non-human biota (among others)? We might try to answer these questions politically, or ethically, or ecologically - in this class I propose to explore the implications of our food choices and production methods as quantitatively as possible using mathematical models. Many, many studies have produced models of this kind, so we have a good set of starting points. And, a model is only as good as its input data, and the validity of assumptions about rates and interrelationships. We will explore and critique a few such models, then try out our own project. Depending on interests, skills and available information we might take on local food production and consumption on our own campus, in the Pioneer Valley, or even throughout the world. Some skills or at least comfort with computers, simulations and numerical methods are strongly recommended.

Quantitative Skills Independent Work In this course students are generally expected to spend at least 6 to 8 hours a week of preparation and work outside of class time.