Natural Sciences 191CNS09 - FYS- To Bee or Not to Bee

The dramatic decline in honeybees over the past several years related to Colony Collapse Disorder has raised the public's awareness to the importance of these insects in our everyday life. This seminar will use the popular book 'Fruitless Fall: The Collapse of the Honeybee and the Coming Agricultural Crisis' by Rowan Jacobsen as a guide to examine the importance of bees in our society, the possible causes of declining honeybee health, as well as learn more about the biology and social society of bees. Students in the course will have a chance to get 'up close and personnel with bees' with an optional trip to a local apiary, a lesson from a master beekeeper and an inside look into a beehive.

Open to Natural Sciences Freshman with a declared major or on the Natural Sciences Exploratory Track.