Natural Science 0115 - Molecules of Farm and Forest: The Chemical Ecology and Natural Products Chemistry of New England Flora

This course will explore the chemical ecology and natural products chemistry of New England native and crop plants through a combination of classroom, field and 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 molecules that plants use to communicate and interact with the organisms around them, and how humans have learned to purify and adapt them for use as materials and medicines. Many of our plant species are being influenced by climate change; we will observe how this is disrupting the networks of interdependence in the plant communities that have evolved to live here, and consider what role humanity may have in their future. Student work will include full-class creation of a field guide to Hampshire plants, their natural history, ethnobotany, and response to rising temperatures and atmospheric carbon dioxide; exploration of secondary metabolite structure, function and evolution; purification of natural products from raw plant material; and independent research on a plant of the student's choice. We will critically analyze primary scientific literature as well as gaining a working knowledge of chemistry and a familiarity with common local plants.

Environments and Change Students are expected to spend a minimum of 6-8 hours of work outside of class time per week