First Year Seminar 191CNS56 - FYS- Topics in CNS

First-year (R1ST) Title: Bee the Change: Pollinators, People, and a Sustainable Future
Are pollinators going extinct? What's the difference between a bee and a wasp? Do wasps do anything good? What can you do to support threatened pollinator species? This course will introduce you to the hidden world of pollinators through in-class activities and show you how important pollinators are for a sustainable future. We will look at bees and other insect pollinators through a variety of lenses, including environmental policy, microbiology, ecology, and science communication. We will practice every stage of the research process, from conducting field research through outdoor observations of pollinators on campus, reading scientific journal articles, and communicating your findings to different audiences. Together, we will build your research skills, science communication abilities, and the skills you?ll need to succeed as a student in your first semester at UMass Amherst.